There are a number of strategies for determining the heart rate. A simple, quick technique is to find a QRS complex that falls on a major vertical grid-line (1), then count the number of large squares to the next QRS complex (2). Dividing this number into 300 gives you the heart rate. In the ECG below, there are 2 large squares between QRS complexes. 300/2 gives a heart rate of 150 beats per minute.