Vertical Jump Power Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the vertical jump power calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

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Formulas Used

Peak Power (Sayers)

peak_power_sayers = 60.7 * jump_height_cm + 45.3 * body_mass_kg - 2055

Peak Power per kg

peak_power_per_kg = (60.7 * jump_height_cm + 45.3 * body_mass_kg - 2055) / body_mass_kg

Jump Height

jump_height_inches = jump_height_cm / 2.54

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
jump_height_cmVertical Jump Height(cm)55
body_mass_kgBody Mass(kg)80

How It Works

Vertical Jump Power Estimation

The vertical jump is a standard test of lower-body explosive power. The Sayers equation converts jump height and body mass into peak power.

Sayers Equation

Peak Power (W) = 60.7 x Jump Height (cm) + 45.3 x Body Mass (kg) - 2055

This regression equation was developed by Sayers et al. (1999) and validated against force plate measurements. It is one of the most widely used field-test power equations in sports science.

Worked Example

An 80 kg athlete with a 55 cm vertical jump.

jump_height_cm = 55body_mass_kg = 80
  1. 01Peak power = 60.7 x 55 + 45.3 x 80 - 2055
  2. 02= 3,338.5 + 3,624 - 2,055
  3. 03= 4,907.5 W (approximately 4,908 W)
  4. 04Power per kg = 4,908 / 80 = 61.3 W/kg
  5. 05Jump height = 55 / 2.54 = 21.7 inches

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good vertical jump?

Average male: 40-50 cm (16-20 in). College athletes: 55-70 cm (22-28 in). Elite NBA players: 75-100+ cm (30-40+ in).

How accurate is the Sayers equation?

It correlates with force plate data at r = 0.88-0.93. It is more accurate than the older Lewis formula but less precise than direct force plate measurement.

Does the vertical jump predict athletic ability?

It strongly correlates with sprint speed, agility, and sport-specific power. It is used in the NFL Combine, NBA Draft Combine, and many sport talent identification programs.

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