Enter your standing reach, maximum jump reach, and body weight to get your vertical jump height plus estimated peak and average power using the Sayers equation.
Quick Facts
Jump height
Maximum reach minus standing reach
This is the classic jump-and-reach (Sargent) test used by coaches and combines.
Power estimate
Sayers equation from jump height and body mass
Estimates leg power without a force plate; peak power (W) = 60.7 x height(cm) + 45.3 x mass(kg) - 2055.
Results
Calculated
Vertical jump height
—
Max reach minus standing reach
Peak power
—
Sayers peak power equation
Average power
—
Sayers average power equation
Power-to-weight ratio
—
Peak power per kg of body mass
Ready
Enter your reach measurements and body weight, then press Calculate.
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How to use this calculator
Perform the standard jump-and-reach test: stand flat-footed next to a wall, raise one arm straight up, and mark the highest point you can touch (standing reach). Then jump as high as you can and mark the highest point you touch at the peak (maximum jump reach). Enter both marks along with your body weight, then click Calculate to get your vertical jump height and estimated power output. Click Clear to reset all fields.
Understanding the inputs
Standing reach and maximum jump reach should be measured in the same units (centimeters) against the same wall or vertec device for an accurate difference. Body weight is used only for the power estimate, not for the jump height itself. Keep footwear and measurement method consistent between tests so your results are comparable over time.
Interpreting the results
Vertical jump height is the direct difference between your two reach marks. Peak power and average power come from the Sayers equation, a published regression formula that estimates leg power output from jump height and body mass without a force plate. Power-to-weight ratio divides peak power by body weight, a useful way to compare explosiveness between athletes of different sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is vertical jump height measured?
The standard jump-and-reach test has you stand flat-footed next to a wall or vertec device and mark the highest point you can touch with a raised arm (standing reach). Then you jump as high as possible and mark the highest point touched at the peak of the jump (maximum reach). Vertical jump height is simply maximum reach minus standing reach.
What is the Sayers equation?
The Sayers equation is a published regression formula that estimates leg power output from countermovement jump height and body mass without needing a force plate. Peak power (W) = 60.7 x jump height (cm) + 45.3 x body mass (kg) - 2055, and average power (W) = 21.2 x jump height (cm) + 23.0 x body mass (kg) - 1393.
Why does body weight affect power output?
Power output depends on how much mass is accelerated and how fast. A heavier athlete moves more mass through the same jump height, so the Sayers equation weights body mass alongside jump height when estimating the mechanical power produced during takeoff.
How can I improve my vertical jump?
This calculator only measures and estimates power from a jump test - it does not prescribe training. Plyometric work, strength training for the lower body, and jump-specific technique work are common approaches used by coaches; consult a qualified strength and conditioning coach to design a program suited to you.
Practical Guide for Vertical Jump Calculator - Measure Power & Height
Vertical Jump Calculator - Measure Power & Height is most useful when the inputs reflect the situation you are actually planning around, not a best-case estimate. Treat the result as a decision aid: it gives you a structured way to compare assumptions, spot outliers, and decide what to verify next. For Sports work, the most important review lens is repeatability, fatigue, recovery, pacing, training load, and conditions on the day.
Start with a baseline run using values you can defend. Then change one assumption at a time and watch which output moves the most. If one input dominates the result, spend your verification time there first. If several inputs have similar influence, use a conservative scenario and an optimistic scenario to create a practical range instead of relying on a single exact number.
Before acting on the result, compare the result with recent sessions, race logs, and coach feedback instead of relying on a single best effort. This is especially important when the calculator supports a purchase, project plan, performance target, or operational decision. The calculator can make the math consistent, but the quality of the conclusion still depends on current data, clear units, and assumptions that match your real constraints.
When the output looks surprising, slow down and inspect each input in order. A small change in one high-leverage field can move the final number more than several low-leverage fields combined. For Vertical Jump Calculator - Measure Power & Height, that means you should first confirm the value with the greatest scale, then confirm the value with the greatest uncertainty, then rerun the calculator with conservative and optimistic assumptions. This sequence turns the calculator from a single answer into a practical decision range.
Review Checklist
Confirm every input uses the unit and time period requested by the calculator.
Run a low, expected, and high scenario so the answer has a useful range.
Check whether rounding or a missing decimal place changes the decision.
Update the calculation each training block, after a tune-up event, or when volume and intensity change.