Vertical Jump Calculator
Estimate lower-body peak power in watts from your vertical jump height and body weight using the Sayers equation, with an athleticism guide.
How it works
peak power (W) = 60.7 × jump(cm) + 45.3 × mass(kg) − 2055
A vertical jump is a burst of explosive power, and the Sayers peak-power equation is the most widely used way to turn jump height and body mass into watts. Height alone undersells a heavier athlete — moving more mass to the same height takes more power — so both terms appear. It estimates peak instantaneous power at takeoff, useful for tracking explosiveness across a training block.
Worked example
A 24 in jump is 24 × 2.54 = 60.96 cm, and a 175 lb athlete is 175 × 0.4536 = 79.4 kg. Peak power = 60.7 × 60.96 + 45.3 × 79.4 − 2055 = 3,700 + 3,596 − 2,055 ≈ 5,241 W.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as horsepower off the ground?
It is peak mechanical power at takeoff, in watts. Divide by 746 for horsepower — 5,241 W is about 7 hp for a fraction of a second, which is why jumping is such a pure explosiveness test.
How do I measure my vertical jump accurately?
Reach up flat-footed and mark your standing reach, then jump and touch the highest point; the difference is your vertical. A wall and chalk work, or use a jump mat for takeoff-based measurement.
Why does body weight increase the power number?
Power is work over time, and lifting more mass to the same height is more work in the same fraction of a second. Two athletes with an equal jump but different weights are not equally powerful — the heavier one produced more.
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Estimates for general fitness and education — individual results vary with terrain, fitness, technique and measurement error. Not medical advice.