What Is a Vertical Jump Calculator and How Does It Work?
A vertical jump calculator measures how high an athlete can jump from a standing position, either from the difference between standing reach and jump reach or from a jump's hang time, then compares that height to standardized athletic testing norms.
The reach method uses the Sargent Jump Test, developed by physical educator Dudley Allen Sargent in 1921: Vertical Jump Height = Jump Reach − Standing Reach. The hang-time method instead uses a physics formula based on how long your feet are off the ground: Height (m) = (9.81 × t²) ÷ 8, where t is hang time in seconds and 9.81 m/s² is the acceleration due to gravity.
According to commonly used strength and conditioning testing norms, an adult male vertical jump of 28 inches (71 cm) or higher is rated "excellent," while a jump below 16 inches (41 cm) is rated "poor." Elite athletes measured at events like the NBA Draft Combine have recorded standing vertical jumps well above 40 inches (102 cm), far exceeding these general population benchmarks.
How to Use This Vertical Jump Calculator
Choose whichever measurement method matches how you tested your jump, enter your values, and the calculator updates instantly. Here's what each field means:
- Standing Reach: the height you can touch flat-footed with one arm fully extended overhead.
- Maximum Jump Reach: the highest point you can touch at the peak of your jump.
- Hang Time: total time your feet are off the ground during the jump, usually captured with a jump mat, contact grid, or slow-motion video.
- Body Weight (optional): needed to estimate anaerobic power output using the Harman peak power equation.
This calculator supports both imperial (inches, pounds) and metric (centimetres, kilograms) units, so athletes and coaches outside the US can use the same tool without manual conversions.
What Do Vertical Jump Norms and Power Output Mean?
The Harman peak power equation, published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise in 1991, estimates anaerobic leg power from jump height and body mass without needing a force plate: Peak Power (W) = 61.9 × jump height (cm) + 36.0 × body mass (kg) + 1822.
| Rating | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 28 in / 71 cm+ | 24 in / 61 cm+ |
| Above Average | 24–28 in / 61–71 cm | 20–24 in / 51–61 cm |
| Average | 20–24 in / 51–61 cm | 16–20 in / 41–51 cm |
| Below Average | 16–20 in / 41–51 cm | 12–16 in / 30–41 cm |
| Poor | Below 16 in / 41 cm | Below 12 in / 30 cm |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good vertical jump for my age and sex?
For adults, a vertical jump of 20–24 inches (51–61 cm) for men or 16–20 inches (41–51 cm) for women is considered average, while 28+ inches (71+ cm) for men or 24+ inches (61+ cm) for women is rated excellent under standard Sargent Jump Test norms.
How accurate is this vertical jump calculator?
The reach method is highly accurate when measured carefully against a wall or vertical jump board. The hang-time method assumes a symmetrical takeoff and landing position, so it can overestimate height if your knees are tucked or your landing posture differs from takeoff — a jump mat or contact grid gives the most reliable hang-time reading.
What's the difference between the reach method and the hang-time method?
The reach method directly measures the physical distance between your standing reach and your peak jump touch, so it captures your true jump height including any knee tuck. The hang-time method infers height purely from airtime using projectile motion physics, which is faster to test but more sensitive to jump technique.
How can I improve my vertical jump?
Plyometric training (box jumps, depth jumps), heavy squats and deadlifts to build lower-body strength, and Olympic lift variations like the power clean are the most evidence-backed ways to increase vertical jump height. Track your One Rep Max on our One Rep Max Calculator to programme your strength training alongside your jump work.