1.5-Mile Run Fitness Score Calculator
Estimate your VO₂max and cardio fitness rating from a 1.5-mile run using the validated BYU (George) 1.5-mile run test equation.
How it works
VO₂max = 88.02 + 3.716 × sex − 0.0753 × weight(lb) − 2.767 × time(min) · (sex: male 1, female 0)
The 1.5-mile run test is a staple of military and academy fitness screening because it needs nothing but a track and a stopwatch. The BYU (George) equation turns your finish time, body weight and sex into an estimated VO₂max — the gold-standard measure of aerobic fitness — and was validated against lab treadmill testing. Time dominates the score, but weight matters too: carrying less mass over the same distance implies a higher oxygen-uptake capacity.
Worked example
A 160 lb man runs 1.5 miles in 12:00 (12.0 min): VO₂max = 88.02 + 3.716 × 1 − 0.0753 × 160 − 2.767 × 12.0 = 88.02 + 3.716 − 12.05 − 33.20 ≈ 46.5 mL/kg/min — a “Good” rating and an 8:00/mile pace.
Sources: George et al., 1.5-mile run VO₂max
Frequently asked questions
How should I run the test?
Warm up, then cover 1.5 miles (about 2.4 km, or 6 laps of a 400 m track) as fast as you can sustain, pacing evenly. Push near-maximal to the finish — the equation assumes an all-out effort, and coasting undersells your fitness.
How accurate is the VO₂max estimate?
The George equation predicts lab VO₂max within a few mL/kg/min for most healthy adults. It is an estimate, not a metabolic-cart measurement, so use it to track change over time and compare against fitness norms.
Why does body weight lower the score?
VO₂max is expressed per kilogram of body weight, so at the same run time a heavier person’s oxygen use per kilo is lower. Losing excess weight or getting faster both raise the number — the two most common ways this score improves.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.