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Your vertical jump is one of the most important athletic measurements in basketball, volleyball, and track and field. A vertical jump calculator lets you work out your exact jump height from the difference between your standing reach and maximum jump reach, with instant rating feedback and dunk potential analysis.
The vertical jump is measured as the difference between your standing reach (arm raised flat-footed) and the highest point you touch during a jump. This method, used by the NBA Combine and NSCA testing protocols, is more practical than drop mats or Vertec systems for self-measurement. The NSCA guide to vertical jump testing details the standardized measurement procedure.
How to Measure Your Vertical Jump
- Stand flat-footed next to a wall and raise your dominant arm straight up. Mark the highest point you can reach. This is your standing reach.
- Jump as high as possible and mark the highest point touched. This is your max jump reach.
- Vertical jump = Max Jump Reach - Standing Reach.
Given that your standing reach depends on height and arm length, two people of the same height may have different standing reaches and thus different vertical jump measurements from the same max reach.
Vertical Jump Ratings
| Jump Height (cm) | Jump Height (in) | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 76+ cm | 30+ in | Elite NBA level |
| 61-75 cm | 24-29 in | Excellent (D1 college) |
| 46-60 cm | 18-23 in | Good (D2/D3 college) |
| 31-45 cm | 12-17 in | Average (recreational) |
| Below 31 cm | Below 12 in | Below average |
On top of that, elite NBA players like Zion Williamson have recorded vertical jumps above 100 cm (40 inches). With that in mind, recreational players should not compare their numbers to professional athletes but rather to age and sport-matched peers.
Can I Dunk?
A standard basketball rim is 305 cm (10 feet) from the floor. To dunk, you need your standing reach plus your vertical jump to reach at least 305 cm. Our calculator checks this automatically. To figure out the minimum vertical jump needed for your height: Minimum Jump = 305 - Standing Reach. A 6-foot player with a 230 cm standing reach needs a 75 cm (29.5 inch) vertical jump to dunk.
That said, arm length plays a major role. Players with unusually long arms relative to height can dunk with a lower vertical jump. As a result, wingspan measurements are often considered alongside height in athletic evaluations. Use our Free Throw Calculator for shooting skill analysis, or the Points Per Game Calculator for scoring statistics. The NBA official stats page tracks combine measurements including vertical jumps for all draft prospects.
Training to Improve Vertical Jump
Plyometric training (box jumps, depth jumps, broad jumps) is the most effective way to build up explosive power. Research from the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research shows 8-12 weeks of plyometric training can increase vertical jump by 5-8 cm on average. Strength training (squats, Romanian deadlifts, Bulgarian split squats) builds up the foundational leg strength that power expression requires. As a result, combining plyometrics with strength work produces the greatest gains.
To carry out an effective jump training program, test your vertical jump monthly to track progress and narrow down what training methods produce results for your body.