PFT & CFT guide
PFT vs CFT: What's the Difference?
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10 min
Active-duty Marines and candidates
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PFT Calculator
Pull-ups, plank, and run/row scoring.
Updated
22 October 2026
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By Abdullah · Web Developer
Quick answer
The PFT tests general fitness with pull-ups or push-ups, plank, and a 3-mile run or 5K row. The CFT tests combat readiness with Movement to Contact, Ammo Can Lifts, and Maneuver Under Fire. Both score out of 300 and use the same class tiers, but the events and training demands are completely different.
To turn your own reps and times into points, use the Marine Corps PFT calculator.
Physical Fitness Test
What is the PFT?
The PFT is the Marine Corps baseline fitness test — three events, 300 points max, and the score most Marines think of first when someone says "fitness test."
The Physical Fitness Test (PFT) measures general fitness through three events: pull-ups or push-ups, a forearm plank, and a 3-mile run or 5K ergometer row. Each event contributes up to 100 points (push-ups cap at 70), and your total determines your score class on your official record.
The PFT has been the Corps' standard endurance and strength benchmark for decades. It rewards consistent training — steady pull-up progress, a solid plank hold, and a run you can repeat on test day without guessing. It is governed by MCO 6100.13A and scored from age- and sex-specific tables, plus one plank table shared by every Marine. The Army and Air Force run different tests under different names, compared in Marine Corps vs Army vs Air Force fitness tests.
Before your next semi-annual cycle, plug your numbers into the Marine Corps PFT calculator to see where you stand. The calculator looks up the same tables printed in the official order, so you get a realistic training estimate — not a surprise on the track.
Combat Fitness Test
What is the CFT?
Where the PFT asks "are you fit?" the CFT asks "can you move under load when it counts?"
The Combat Fitness Test (CFT) evaluates combat readiness through three task-specific events: Movement to Contact (880-meter sprint), Ammo Can Lifts (30-pound overhead presses in two minutes), and Maneuver Under Fire (300-yard combat course). Like the PFT, it scores out of 300 points using the same four-tier class system.
The CFT is younger than the PFT and deliberately different in feel. You are not pacing a distance run — you are sprinting, lifting, low-crawling, and carrying. Explosive leg drive, grip endurance, and the ability to recover between efforts matter more here than a perfect 5K split.
Score each CFT event with the Marine Corps CFT calculator. The two timed events are scored second by second from their own tables, and the ammo can lifts from a rep table for your age group and sex — a different scale entirely from pull-ups.
Side by side
Event comparison: PFT vs CFT
Same 300-point ceiling, completely different movement demands.
Both tests have three events and share score classes, but the overlap stops there. The PFT isolates upper body, core, and cardio endurance. The CFT chains explosive and loaded movements that mirror field tasks. Knowing which skill each test rewards helps you split training time intelligently instead of doubling down on one lane.
| Fitness domain | PFT event | CFT event |
|---|---|---|
| Upper body / power | Pull-ups or push-ups (max 100 / 70 pts) | Ammo Can Lifts — 30 lb cans, 2-minute rep count |
| Core / stability | Forearm plank (timed hold, one table for all) | Integrated into Maneuver Under Fire (low crawl, carry) |
| Cardio / speed | 3-mile run or 5K row (altitude-adjusted benchmarks) | Movement to Contact — 880 yd sprint; plus MANUF 300 yd course |
| Test atmosphere | Track, pull-up bar, plank station — measured reps and times | Field course: sprints, lifts, crawls, buddy drag, grenade throw |
| Typical limiter | Run pace or pull-up count | MTC sprint time or ammo-can rep total |
A strong PFT does not guarantee a strong CFT. Plenty of Marines can hold 20 pull-ups and still gas out on the 880-meter sprint. The reverse is true too — CFT specialists with fast MTC times sometimes leave run points on the table. Treat them as complementary scores on the same record, not substitutes for each other.
How points work
Scoring methods compared
Both tests max at 300, but the path from performance to points differs event by event.
PFT and CFT share the same score-class breakpoints — Fail below 150, 3rd Class 150–199, 2nd Class 200–234, 1st Class 235–300 — but how you earn those points is test-specific. This article stays at the comparison level; for how the PFT tables work, see our scoring guide linked below.
| PFT | CFT | |
|---|---|---|
| Events scored | 3 (upper body, plank, run/row) | 3 (MTC, ammo cans, MANUF) |
| Maximum total | 300 (270 if push-ups chosen) | 300 |
| Upper-body scoring | Rep table by age/gender; push-ups capped at 70 pts | Rep table by age/sex (Table 3-4) |
| Core scoring | One plank table (1:10 = 40 pts → 3:45 = 100 pts) | No separate core event — core tested inside MANUF |
| Timed events | Run in 10-second steps, row in 5-second steps | MTC and MANUF tables in 1-second steps |
| Altitude | Run +1:30 / row +0:40 at ≥4,500 ft | Separate MTC and MANUF altitude tables; none for ammo lifts |
| Class tiers | Fail / 3rd / 2nd / 1st (same breakpoints) | Identical class system |
Because both scores land on the same fitness report, commanders read them together. A 250 PFT paired with a 190 CFT tells a different story than two balanced 220s. When you estimate totals, use the right tool for each test — the PFT Calculator and CFT Calculator are separate for a reason.
Practical prep
How to split your training
You do not need two completely different gym programs — but you do need two different emphases.
A practical split many Marines use: maintain PFT fundamentals year-round (pull-ups, plank, easy mileage), then add a six-week CFT block before semi-annual testing. During that block, swap one steady run for interval work, add twice-weekly ammo-can sessions, and walk through the MANUF stations if your unit has a practice course.
For PFT-specific work, prioritize the event that costs you the most points per minute of training. Pull-ups and run pace usually offer the biggest return. For CFT, Movement to Contact rewards raw sprint speed — 400 m repeats and hill sprints translate directly. Ammo cans punish shoulders and grip when you wait until the week before to touch a can.
If you are unsure which test is dragging your record down, score both in the calculators and compare totals side by side. That five-minute check beats guessing which weakness to fix first.
Schedule
When Marines take both tests
The PFT in the first half of the year, the CFT in the second.
Each calendar year, Marines take the PFT between 1 January and 30 June and the CFT between 1 July and 31 December. Your command sets the exact dates inside each season, but the requirement is Corps-wide: you need a current score for both on record.
Because the two tests sit in different halves of the year, they are never scheduled on the same day as official tests. Marines on light duty follow their profile restrictions; confirm with your corpsman and PFT coordinator before assuming an alternate event applies.
For the full schedule breakdown — recording, retests, and what "semi-annual" means in practice — read how often Marines take the PFT. That guide covers both tests even though the title says PFT; the six-month rule applies to CFT as well.
Why it matters
Who cares about your PFT and CFT scores?
More people than you might think — and they read both numbers, not just one.
Your chain of command uses PFT and CFT scores for readiness reporting, remediation tracking, and promotion considerations. Falling below minimums triggers remedial conditioning and can affect retention decisions depending on MOS, time in service, and current MARADMIN guidance. Passing is the floor; competitive scores are the norm in many units.
High performers should know the policy hooks: scoring 235+ on both tests can support Force Fitness Instructor consideration, and 285+ on both may qualify for height/weight exemption per MCO 6100.13A — verify current rules before counting on either benefit. Recruiters and board reviewers see fitness trends over time, not just a single cycle.
Even if you are years from a board, consistent 1st Class scores on both tests signal discipline and recovery capacity. The PFT proves you can sustain effort; the CFT proves you can produce power when fatigued. Together they answer the question every commander is asking: can this Marine perform when it matters?
Use the PFT Calculator and CFT Calculator before each cycle so you walk onto the course knowing your numbers — not discovering them after the fact.
Calculate your PFT score
Enter pull-ups or push-ups, plank time, and 3-mile run or 5K row for an instant total.
Calculate your CFT score
Score Movement to Contact, Ammo Can Lifts, and Maneuver Under Fire out of 300.
Help
Frequently asked questions
Answers specific to this guide — not duplicated from the calculator or standards pages.
Can a high PFT score make up for a low CFT?
No. Both scores appear on your fitness report independently. Commanders read them together, but each test must meet its own minimums and class expectations for your unit.
Do PFT and CFT events overlap in training?
Some overlap exists — plank work helps core stability on Maneuver Under Fire, and run fitness supports Movement to Contact. But ammo-can reps and course-specific skills need dedicated practice beyond PFT prep.
Which test is harder to max?
It depends on your strengths. Marines with strong endurance often max the PFT run but struggle on the 880-meter sprint. Others find pull-ups harder than ammo-can lifts. Score both in the calculators to see where you stand.
Are the PFT and CFT taken on the same day?
No. The PFT is run between 1 January and 30 June and the CFT between 1 July and 31 December, so official tests fall in different halves of the year.
Does the CFT replace the PFT?
No. The CFT supplements the PFT — Marines must complete both. They measure different fitness domains and both count toward your official record.
Can I use push-ups on the CFT?
No. Push-ups are a PFT-only upper-body option. The CFT uses ammo can lifts for upper-body and power assessment, scored with its own age- and sex-based rep table (Table 3-4).
Do altitude adjustments apply to both tests?
Yes. Run and row benchmarks adjust at elevation on the PFT, and CFT timed events (Movement to Contact and Maneuver Under Fire) receive altitude adjustments as well.
Where can I find CFT-specific scoring details?
Use the CFT Calculator on this site for event-by-event estimates. For how the PFT tables work, see our scoring guide. MCO 6100.13A governs both tests.
Wrap-up
Conclusion
The PFT and CFT measure different things, share the same 300-point scale, and both belong on your fitness record. Train for each test on its own terms, score yourself with the dedicated calculators, and you will walk into semi-annual testing with a clear picture instead of a guess.
Start with your weaker test first — run the numbers, fix the biggest gap, then circle back to the other. That is the fastest path to a record you are proud to show your commander.
Keep reading
Related guides
Continue with these articles — each covers a different angle of USMC fitness scoring.