Branch requirements
Minimum ASVAB score by branch (AFQT)
The AFQT minimum is what gets you in the door. Each branch sets its own, and the jobs you actually want need higher line scores on top of it. The honest picture: only some branches publish a number, so treat the rest as a starting point to confirm with a recruiter.
The table below shows the minimum AFQT percentile each branch asks for, split by whether you have a high-school diploma or a GED. Where a branch states the number on its own official site, we show it as a figure. Where it does not, we flag the value as commonly cited rather than presenting it as fact.
| Branch | Minimum AFQT (high-school grad) | GED | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army | 31 (official) | 50 | goarmy.com (minimum); military.com (line scores + jobs) |
| Air Force | 31 (official) | 50 | airforce.com (minimum); military.com (MAGE + jobs) |
| Navy | ~31 (commonly cited) | ~50 (commonly cited) | navycs.com / military.com (examples - verify with a recruiter) |
| Marine Corps | ~31 (commonly cited) | ~50 (commonly cited) | military.com (composites + jobs - verify with a recruiter) |
| Coast Guard | Varies - see note | Varies | Sources conflict - verify with a Coast Guard recruiter |
| Space Force | ~31 (commonly cited) | ~50 (commonly cited) | Shares Air Force standards (airforce.com) - verify with a recruiter |
| Army National Guard | ~31 (commonly cited) | ~50 (commonly cited) | Mirrors active Army - verify with a recruiter |
The detail by branch
Numbers in a table hide the caveats, so here is what each branch actually says - including where sources disagree. Each links to its full page with line scores and sample jobs.
Army: goarmy.com states a minimum AFQT of 31 for high-school graduates. The Future Soldier Prep Course lets applicants who score 21-30 train and retest.
Air Force: airforce.com states a minimum AFQT of 31 for high-school graduates and 50 for GED holders. Technical jobs are competitive, so many successful applicants score well above the minimum.
Navy: Navy.com does not publish a number and routes you to a recruiter. Sources commonly cite 31 for high-school graduates, though some list 35 as a practical floor. The Navy has at times accepted lower scores under special recruiting programs.
Marine Corps: The Marine Corps does not publish a number on its site. Sources commonly cite 31 (a few say 32) for high-school graduates.
Coast Guard: The Coast Guard does not publish a single minimum on its site, and sources disagree widely (commonly cited figures range from about 31 to 40, with 36 the most-cited active-duty figure and 40 often cited for the Reserve). Entry uses the AFQT, and specific "A school" ratings set their own subtest minimums. Confirm the current number with a recruiter.
Space Force: The Space Force shares the Air Force enlistment pipeline; the minimum is widely reported as 31 (50 for GED), but Guardian roles are highly technical, so competitive scores typically run much higher.
Army National Guard: NationalGuard.com routes you to a recruiter without a number. It mirrors the active Army (commonly cited 31 for high-school graduates, 50 for GED).
Once you are over the line, the next question is which jobs your line scores reach. See how ASVAB scores work for line scores and composites, or go back to the ASVAB hub.