Vertical Jump Calculator

Measure your vertical jump, estimate leg power, and see how you compare to others by age, sex, and sport.

Vertical Jump Test

Used to estimate percentile vs. general population.

Required for leg power (Watts) using the Sayers equation.

How are you measuring?

If you only know your reach measurements, switch to the other mode above.

Results

Vertical jump height

–

Enter your data and click calculate.

Estimated leg power

–

Sayers equation (W) and W/kg.

Performance level

–

Approximate percentile vs. general population of same sex and age.

Sport-specific benchmarks

  • Recreational adult: ~40–50 cm (16–20 in)
  • Competitive basketball/volleyball: 60–75+ cm (24–30+ in)
  • Elite jumpers: 80–90+ cm (32–36+ in)

How this vertical jump calculator works

This tool combines field-tested equations from sports science with simple inputs you can measure at home or in the gym. It supports both direct jump height input and the classic standing reach vs. jump reach method.

1. Calculating vertical jump height

There are two ways to get your jump height:

  • Direct height – from a jump mat, force plate, or optical system.
  • Reach method – using a wall, chalk, or a Vertec device.

Vertical jump (reach method)

Let:

  • SR = standing reach (cm)
  • JR = jump reach (cm)

Then:

$$ \\text{Vertical jump (cm)} = JR - SR $$

2. Estimating leg power – Sayers equation

To estimate lower-body power, the calculator uses the Sayers countermovement jump equation, widely used in strength and conditioning.

Sayers equation (countermovement jump)

Inputs:

  • BW = body mass (kg)
  • VJ = vertical jump height (cm)

Formula:

$$ \\text{Peak power (W)} = 60.7 \\times VJ + 45.3 \\times BW - 2055 $$

The calculator automatically converts pounds to kilograms and inches to centimeters before applying the formula. It also reports relative power:

Relative power

$$ \\text{Power per kg (W/kg)} = \\dfrac{\\text{Peak power (W)}}{BW} $$

3. Performance level & percentiles

Based on your sex, age, and jump height, the tool assigns an approximate percentile and performance label (e.g., below average, average, good, excellent, elite). These bands are synthesized from published normative data for recreational and trained populations.

Use these values as a rough guide, not a diagnostic. True rankings depend on your sport, training history, and testing protocol.

How to measure your vertical jump correctly

Follow these steps for a reliable test:

  1. Warm up with 5–10 minutes of light cardio and dynamic leg drills.
  2. Measure standing reach:
    • Stand side-on to a wall, feet flat, heels on the floor.
    • Reach up with the hand closest to the wall, fingers extended.
    • Mark the highest point you can touch without jumping.
    • Measure from the floor to the mark.
  3. Measure jump reach:
    • From the same spot, perform a maximal vertical jump.
    • Use a small amount of chalk or tape on your fingers to leave a mark.
    • Mark the highest point you touch at the top of the jump.
    • Measure from the floor to this mark.
  4. Compute vertical jump as jump reach − standing reach and enter it in the calculator.
  5. Take 3–5 attempts and use the best valid jump.

Typical vertical jump standards

The table below shows approximate vertical jump ranges for adults.

Group Below average Average Good Excellent
Men (18–35) < 40 cm (< 16 in) 40–55 cm (16–22 in) 56–70 cm (22–28 in) > 70 cm (> 28 in)
Women (18–35) < 30 cm (< 12 in) 30–45 cm (12–18 in) 46–60 cm (18–24 in) > 60 cm (> 24 in)
Elite jump athletes – – 70–80 cm (28–32 in) > 80–90+ cm (> 32–36+ in)

Remember that protocol matters: a standing vertical jump, countermovement jump, and approach jump will all give different values. This calculator is designed primarily for standing or countermovement vertical jumps.

Best exercises to improve your vertical jump

Research on vertical jump training consistently shows that combining maximal strength and explosive power work is more effective than either alone.

1. Strength exercises

  • Back and front squats
  • Romanian deadlifts
  • Split squats and lunges
  • Hip thrusts and glute bridges

2. Power & plyometrics

  • Box jumps (onto a safe, stable box)
  • Countermovement and squat jumps
  • Depth jumps and drop jumps (for advanced athletes)
  • Bounds, lateral hops, and single-leg hops

3. Technique & mobility

  • Practice your arm swing and timing.
  • Improve ankle, hip, and thoracic spine mobility.
  • Maintain good landing mechanics to reduce injury risk.

For most people, training 2–3 times per week with a mix of strength and plyometrics, plus adequate sleep and nutrition, leads to noticeable improvements in 6–12 weeks.

FAQ

What is a vertical jump test used for?

The vertical jump test is a simple way to assess lower-body power. It is widely used in basketball, volleyball, football, and strength & conditioning to monitor performance, track training progress, and sometimes as part of fitness or recruitment standards.

How often should I retest?

Every 4–6 weeks is ideal for most athletes. Testing more frequently can be useful for monitoring fatigue, but for long-term progress, stick to consistent intervals and similar conditions.

Can I use this calculator for approach jumps?

You can enter any jump height, including approach jumps, but remember that the Sayers equation and most normative data are based on standing or countermovement vertical jumps. Approach jumps will usually be higher.

Is higher always better?

A higher vertical jump generally reflects better power, but it must be balanced with sport-specific skills, strength, and durability. Chasing jump height without proper technique and recovery can increase injury risk.