Vertical Jump Power Calculator

About the Vertical Jump Power Calculator

The vertical jump is one of the most widely used tests of lower-body explosive power in sport science. By combining your jump height with body weight, established formulas can estimate your peak power output in watts—a key metric that correlates with sprint speed, change-of-direction ability, and overall athletic performance.

Our Vertical Jump Power Calculator uses three validated formulas—Lewis (Nomogram), Sayers, and Harman—to estimate your peak and average power output. Each formula was developed from research on different athletic populations and produces slightly different results. Comparing all three gives you a more complete picture of your explosive capabilities.

Whether you're an athlete tracking training progress, a coach evaluating players, or a sports science student learning about power assessment, it shows instant, research-backed power estimates from a simple vertical jump test.

When This Page Helps

Peak power is one of the best predictors of sport performance in activities requiring explosive movement—jumping, sprinting, tackling, and throwing. Lab-based power testing (force plates, linear position transducers) is expensive and requires specialized equipment. The vertical jump is a free, accessible field test that, combined with validated regression equations, provides a reliable estimate of peak power output for athlete screening and progress tracking.

How to Use the Inputs

1. Enter your body weight in pounds or kilograms.
2. Enter your vertical jump height in inches or centimeters.
3. View peak power estimates from Lewis, Sayers, and Harman formulas.
4. Compare the three estimates to see the range of your power output.
5. Check your power-to-weight ratio (watts per kg).
6. Review sport-specific percentile rankings.
7. Track your jump height over time to monitor training progress.

Example Calculation

Tips & Best Practices

• Always warm up thoroughly before testing vertical jump—cold muscles reduce jump height.
• Use the countermovement jump (CMJ) for the Sayers formula—dip and explode upward.
• Test at the same time of day and under the same conditions for consistent tracking.
• Take 3–5 attempts with full rest between jumps and record the best effort.
• Power-to-weight ratio (W/kg) is more useful than absolute power for comparing athletes of different sizes.
• Vertical jump improvements of 1–2 inches indicate meaningful power gains.
• Plyometric and Olympic lifting training are the most effective ways to increase jump power.

The Science of Vertical Jump Testing

The vertical jump test has been a staple of athletic assessment since the 1920s. It measures the neuromuscular system's ability to produce force rapidly—a quality known as explosive power or rate of force development. Research consistently shows that vertical jump performance correlates with sprint speed, change of direction, and sport-specific performance across dozens of sports.

Formula Comparisons

The Lewis formula (also called the Nomogram) was one of the earliest equations and uses a square root relationship. It tends to underestimate true peak power compared to force plate measurements. The Sayers equation (1999) was developed from countermovement jump data and correlates most highly with force plate peak power (r = 0.88). The Harman formula (1991) provides both peak and average power estimates and performs similarly to Sayers for peak power.

Practical Applications

Track vertical jump height and estimated power monthly to monitor training adaptations. Improvements in jump power often precede improvements in sprint times and sport performance. If jump power stagnates despite training, it may indicate overtraining, inadequate recovery, or the need to change programming emphasis.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Which formula is the most accurate?

  The Sayers formula is generally considered the most accurate for countermovement jump (CMJ) peak power, as it was validated against force plate measurements across a wide range of athletes. The Lewis formula tends to underestimate peak power, while the Harman formula provides similar results to Sayers. Using all three gives you a reliable range.

• What is a good vertical jump?

  For adult males, a vertical jump of 20–24 inches is average, 24–28 inches is above average, 28–32 inches is excellent, and 32+ inches is elite. For adult females, 12–16 inches is average, 16–20 inches is above average, 20–24 inches is excellent, and 24+ inches is elite. NBA combine averages are around 34–36 inches.

• What is the difference between peak and average power?

  Peak power is the maximum instantaneous power generated during the jump, typically occurring just before the feet leave the ground. Average power is the mean power output throughout the entire propulsive phase of the jump. Peak power is more relevant for explosive sports, while average power reflects sustained force production.

• How do I test my vertical jump at home?

  Stand next to a wall, reach up with one arm and mark your standing reach. Then jump as high as possible and touch the wall at your highest point. The difference between your standing reach and jump reach is your vertical jump height. You can use chalk on your fingertips for accuracy.

• What is a good power-to-weight ratio?

  For recreational athletes, 40–50 W/kg is average. Trained athletes typically achieve 50–65 W/kg. Elite athletes in explosive sports like basketball, volleyball, and sprinting often exceed 65–75 W/kg. Olympic weightlifters and sprinters may reach 70–80+ W/kg.

• Does body weight affect vertical jump power?

  Yes. Heavier athletes generate more absolute power (watts) for the same jump height because they are moving more mass against gravity. However, power-to-weight ratio (W/kg) normalizes for body mass and is a better metric for comparing athletes of different sizes. Losing unnecessary body fat while maintaining muscle can improve both jump height and power-to-weight ratio.