Vertical Jump Calculator
Calculate your vertical jump power and compare to athletic benchmarks.
Estimate peak power from jump height and body weight.
How Vertical Jump Is Measured and Calculated
Vertical jump is measured as the difference between your standing reach height and your maximum jump reach height. It is one of the most used measures of lower body explosive power in sports science.
Basic vertical jump formula:
Vertical Jump (in) = Jump Reach − Standing Reach
Worked example:
- Standing reach (tip of middle finger with arm extended): 86 inches
- Jump reach (highest point touched): 106 inches
- Vertical jump = 106 − 86 = 20 inches
Physics-based formula (from hang time):
If you know hang time (seconds in the air), you can calculate jump height:
Jump Height (m) = g × t² ÷ 8
Where g = 9.81 m/s² and t = total time in air
Example: Hang time of 0.65 seconds:
Height = 9.81 × (0.65)² ÷ 8 = 9.81 × 0.4225 ÷ 8 = 0.518 m = 20.4 inches
Performance benchmarks (adult males):
| Level | Vertical Jump |
|---|---|
| Below average | < 16 inches |
| Average | 16–20 inches |
| Good | 20–24 inches |
| Excellent | 24–28 inches |
| Elite athlete | 28–34+ inches |
NBA average is approximately 28 inches. Michael Jordan’s tested vertical was 48 inches (running start).
Power output formula:
Power (W) = 4 × Body Weight (N) × √(Jump Height in m)
A 90 kg athlete with a 0.60 m vertical generates:
Power = 4 × (90 × 9.81) × √0.60 = 4 × 882.9 × 0.775 = 2,737 Watts
This is useful for tracking explosive strength development in training programs.