An average adult takes about 20,000 breaths every single day.

A resting adult breathes 12 to 16 times each minute. This adds up to between 17,280 and 23,040 breaths every 24 hours. During this time, the body moves about 11,000 liters of air through the lungs. The diaphragm is the main muscle that pulls air into the body.Inside the lungs, oxygen enters the blood through 600 million tiny air sacs called alveoli. These sacs cover a surface area of about 70 square meters. This is roughly half the size of a tennis court. Red blood cells use a protein called hemoglobin to carry this oxygen to every part of the body.Sensors in the brain and blood vessels constantly check carbon dioxide levels. If these levels get too high, the brain tells the body to breathe faster. This keeps the body's internal systems balanced. Physical activity increases the number of breaths because the muscles need more energy to work.