Vertical Jump Calculator

Vertical jump height is one of the most widely tested athletic performance metrics in sports science. It measures explosive lower-body power and is a key evaluation criterion in basketball, volleyball, football, and track and field.

Measurement formula:

Vertical Jump = Jump Reach − Standing Reach

Both measurements are taken at the same wall or Vertec device, with the athlete’s dominant hand extended overhead.

Unit conversions:

• Inches to centimeters: × 2.54
• Centimeters to inches: ÷ 2.54

Physics of the vertical jump: The height a person can jump is directly related to the takeoff velocity they generate:

Jump Height = v² / (2 × g)

Where v = takeoff velocity (m/s) and g = 9.81 m/s² (gravity).

A jump of 24 inches (61 cm) requires a takeoff velocity of approximately 3.46 m/s (7.7 mph).

Athletic benchmarks, males:

Athletic benchmarks, females:

For scale:

• The best max verticals ever recorded at the NBA and NFL combines sit in the mid-40s of inches, around 115 cm
• Average NBA player: about 28 inches (71 cm)
• Average college basketball player: 24 to 26 inches
• A 24-inch vertical, which the tables above call Very Good for a man, is roughly the median for a fit college-age athlete in any sport

Training tip: Plyometric training (box jumps, depth jumps, squat jumps) and heavy lower-body strength training (squats, deadlifts) are the most effective approaches to improving vertical jump height. Most athletes can add 4–6 inches in 8–12 weeks with a dedicated program.