Vertical Jump Calculator

What Is a Vertical Jump Test?

The vertical jump test (also called the Sargent Jump Test) is one of the most widely used assessments of lower-body explosive power in sports science. It measures the difference between an athlete's standing reach height and the maximum height they can touch during a jump. This simple test has been a staple of athletic evaluations since the early 1920s and remains a key metric at the NFL Combine, NBA Draft Combine, and college athletic programs worldwide.

Vertical jump height is a direct indicator of your ability to produce force quickly — a quality essential in sports like basketball, volleyball, football, track and field, and martial arts. It reflects the combined power of your quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, and calves working in an explosive triple extension (ankle, knee, and hip).

How to Measure Your Vertical Jump

Wall-and-Chalk Method (Most Accessible)

1. Standing Reach: Stand flat-footed next to a wall with your dominant arm extended overhead. Mark the highest point you can touch with chalk or tape. This is your standing reach.
2. Jump Reach: From a standing position (no running start), jump as high as possible and touch the wall at your peak. Mark this point.
3. Calculate: Measure the difference between the two marks. This is your vertical jump height.

Vertec Device

A Vertec is the standard tool used at professional combines. It has adjustable plastic vanes that you swat at the peak of your jump. The device directly measures the difference between your standing reach and jump reach.

Jump Mat / Force Plate

Electronic jump mats calculate vertical jump from flight time. Force plates provide even more data, including takeoff velocity, rate of force development, and landing impact.

Power Output Formulas

This calculator estimates your peak anaerobic power using three validated formulas. Power output is a key performance indicator because it reflects how quickly you can produce force — critical for sprinting, jumping, and changing direction.

Lewis (Fox-Mathews) Formula

The Lewis formula provides a quick estimate of peak anaerobic power. It is widely used due to its simplicity but may slightly underestimate power compared to more modern equations.

Harman et al. Formula

Developed by Harman et al. (1991), this regression equation was derived from force plate data and tends to provide slightly higher estimates than the Lewis formula.

Sayers et al. Formula

The Sayers equation (1999) is the most commonly cited formula in modern sports science research and is considered the most accurate predictor of peak power from vertical jump data.

Vertical Jump Norms

Male Vertical Jump Standards

Female Vertical Jump Standards

How to Increase Your Vertical Jump

Improving your vertical jump requires a combination of strength training, plyometric exercises, and technique refinement. Here is a proven approach:

• Build Leg Strength: Focus on squats (back squat, front squat), deadlifts, and lunges. Aim to squat at least 1.5× your bodyweight before emphasizing plyometrics.
• Plyometric Training: Box jumps, depth jumps, tuck jumps, and bounding drills develop the stretch-shortening cycle that powers explosive jumps.
• Olympic Lifts: Power cleans, hang cleans, and snatches develop rate of force development — how quickly you can produce maximum force.
• Technique: Practice arm swing timing, hip hinge depth, and takeoff angle. Proper arm drive alone can add 1-2 inches.
• Flexibility: Hip flexor and ankle mobility directly affect jump mechanics. Tight hip flexors limit hip extension power.
• Recovery: Allow 48-72 hours between plyometric sessions. Quality over quantity — 3 sets of 5 depth jumps beats 10 sets of sloppy jumps.

Frequently Asked Questions