Estimate your peak anaerobic power output in watts from a vertical jump test, using the Sayers et al. (1999) peak power equation. Enter your jump height and body mass in metric or imperial units.
Vertical jump power is an estimate of the peak mechanical power — measured in watts — that your legs produce during the explosive push-off of a vertical jump. Rather than measuring power directly with a force plate, this calculator estimates it from two easy-to-measure inputs: how high you jump and how much you weigh. For example, a 50 cm jump at 80 kg body mass gives an estimated peak power of about 4,604 W.
| Metric | Value |
|---|
This calculator uses the peak power equation published by Sayers, Harackiewicz, Harman, Frykman and Rosenstein in 1999. In their study, the researchers cross-validated several jump-based power equations — including the older Lewis and Harman formulas — against direct force-plate measurements of countermovement jumps, and found their own regression equation produced the closest estimate of measured peak power. It has since become one of the more widely cited field-test formulas for estimating lower-body anaerobic power from a simple jump-and-reach test.
Because the formula combines jump height and body mass, two people with very different jump heights can end up with similar power outputs, and two people with the same jump height can post quite different wattage if their body mass differs. The table below shows how the raw output scales using the same formula at a few sample combinations — it is not a grading scale, just an illustration of how the numbers move together.
| Body Mass | Jump Height | Peak Power | Power-to-Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 kg | 40 cm | 3,544 W | 50.63 W/kg |
| 80 kg | 50 cm | 4,604 W | 57.55 W/kg |
| 90 kg | 60 cm | 5,664 W | 62.93 W/kg |
The power-to-weight column (watts per kilogram of body mass) is often more useful for comparing explosive ability between people of different sizes than the raw wattage figure on its own, since raw power naturally increases with body mass even without a change in jumping ability.
The Sayers equation was built from data on countermovement jumps (CMJ) — a jump that starts from a standing position, dips down quickly, and immediately reverses into an explosive upward jump, typically performed with an arm swing and measured using a jump-and-reach test or contact/jump mat. Use the same jump style and measurement method each time you test yourself, since technique differences (squat jump vs countermovement jump, with or without arm swing) can change your measured jump height and therefore the power estimate, independent of any real change in your explosive ability.
Vertical jump power refers to the peak rate of mechanical work your leg muscles produce during the explosive concentric (upward) phase of a jump. It reflects anaerobic power — the ability to generate a large amount of force quickly — which is a key physical quality for sprinters, jumpers, and athletes in sports like basketball and volleyball that rely on repeated explosive movements such as jumping, sprinting, and rapid changes of direction. Unlike jump height alone, a power estimate accounts for body mass, giving a more complete picture of an athlete's explosiveness.
The equation used on this page comes from Sayers SP, Harackiewicz DV, Harman EA, Frykman PN, Rosenstein MT (1999), "Cross-validation of three jump power equations," published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. The study compared several existing jump-power prediction equations against directly measured force-plate power output and found the regression equation used here produced estimates that most closely matched the measured values, making it a commonly referenced field-test alternative to laboratory testing.
| Input | Role in the Formula |
|---|---|
| Jump height (cm) | Multiplied by 60.7 — reflects how high the body's centre of mass travels |
| Body mass (kg) | Multiplied by 45.3 — accounts for the mass being accelerated during the jump |
| Constant | −2055 — a fixed regression offset from the original validation study |
This calculator gives a field-test estimate, not a laboratory measurement. A force plate directly measures the ground reaction forces and velocity throughout the jump and calculates power from that data; this calculator instead infers power from just two numbers — jump height and body mass — using a regression equation fitted to a specific research sample. Treat the result as a useful, repeatable estimate for tracking your own progress over time, not as an exact physiological measurement.
What does a vertical jump power calculator measure?
This calculator estimates peak anaerobic power output — measured in watts — from a single vertical jump test. It combines how high you jump with your body mass to approximate the mechanical power your legs generate during the explosive push-off phase, rather than simply measuring jump height on its own.
What formula does this calculator use?
It uses the peak power equation published by Sayers et al. in 1999: Peak Power (W) = 60.7 × jump height (cm) + 45.3 × body mass (kg) − 2055. This equation was cross-validated against force-plate measurements and is widely cited in sports science as a more accurate field-test estimate than older equations such as the Lewis or Harman formulas.
What type of jump should I use to measure jump height?
The Sayers equation was developed using a countermovement jump (a jump that starts from standing, dips down, and immediately explodes upward) with an arm swing, measured with a jump-and-reach test or a jump mat. Use the same technique consistently each time you test, since technique changes can affect your jump height and therefore the power estimate.
Why does body mass affect the peak power result?
Power is a function of both force and velocity, and moving a heavier body mass through the same jump height requires generating more force. That's why the formula includes body mass as well as jump height — two people who jump exactly the same height but have different body masses will have different estimated peak power outputs.
What is power-to-weight ratio and why does it matter?
Power-to-weight ratio divides your estimated peak power by your body mass, giving a result in watts per kilogram (W/kg). It's a useful way to compare explosive power between people of different sizes, since a heavier athlete can post a higher raw wattage without necessarily being more explosive relative to their own body mass.
Is this calculator accurate for all athletes and sports?
It's a general field-test estimate validated on the population studied in the original research, not a sport-specific or individually calibrated measurement. Results are a useful proxy for tracking your own explosive power over time, but they shouldn't be treated as an exact substitute for a laboratory force-plate assessment, especially for elite-level testing or research purposes.
Can I use inches and pounds instead of centimetres and kilograms?
Yes. Select Imperial units to enter jump height in inches and body mass in pounds. The calculator converts these to centimetres and kilograms internally (1 inch = 2.54 cm, 1 pound = 0.453592 kg) before applying the Sayers formula, then reports the result in watts, which doesn't need unit conversion.