Typical Spirometer Trace 

Below is the outcome from a typical spirometer test. 

Residual volume - air can not be expelled (1,200ml or 1.2 litres)

Inspiratory reserve volume - breath in after normal inhalation (3,000ml or 3 litres)

Expiratory reserve volume - breath out after normal inhalation (1,300ml or 1.3 litres)

Tidal volume - Normal breathing (500ml or 1/2 litre)

Total lung capacity - (6,000ml or 6 litres) 

(Note: All volumes above are for a typical male)

Residual volume - air can not be expelled (1,200ml or 1.2 litres)

Inspiratory reserve volume - breath in after normal inhalation (2,000ml or 2 litres)

Expiratory reserve volume - breath out after normal inhalation (700ml or 0.7 litres)

Tidal volume - Normal breathing (500ml or 1/2 litre)

Total lung capacity - (4,400ml or 4.4 litres) 

(Note: All volumes above are for a typical female)

Note: Residual volume can be found by completing a separate gas dilution test. A set volume of helium in a container is inhaled and after a while the container is measured for its concentration. This result can be used to work out the total lung capacity. After the spirometer trace test is complete the residual volume can be found.