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Having a solid vertical jump is essential for sports like basketball and volleyball. So, how do you measure it accurately? It’s simple—just subtract your standing reach from your jump reach. This gives you your vertical jump height. You can do this at home by standing against a wall or use a jump testing tool like a Vertec. In this guide, we’ll show you how to measure your vertical jump both with and without equipment, so you can track your progress. Ready to measure? Keep reading!
Key Points to Remember
- Stand against a wall and mark your standing and jump reach using chalk or tape. The difference between the two is your vertical jump height.
- With a Vertec jump tester, record the heights you tap during both your standing and jump reach. The difference is your vertical jump.
- Keep track of your measurements to monitor your progress and enhance your vertical jump.
Steps to Measure
Measuring Without Equipment
Stand sideways against a high wall where you can mark it with chalk or tape. Ensure you’re on a flat surface, away from furniture or decor for a safe jump. Choose a tall room, gym, or an outdoor space with ample room to reach and jump freely.
- Stand with your dominant side facing the wall for a more natural jump and reach.
Mark your dominant hand's middle finger tip with tape or chalk. Use a small piece of masking tape or double-sided tape, or a contrasting chalk color. Your middle finger, being the longest, will help you achieve the highest reach and jump measurement.
Reach as high as you can and mark your reach height on the wall. Keep your feet flat on the floor and stretch upward with your marked hand. At the peak of your reach, touch the wall with your middle finger and leave a mark with chalk or tape, then measure it with a tape measure. This gives you your standing reach.
- Record your maximum reach before proceeding to your jumps.
Reapply your chalk or tape and take your first standing vertical jump. Stand in the same spot as before, raise your arms overhead, squat down, then jump straight up as quickly as possible. Reach for the highest point and mark the wall at the peak of your jump.
- Remember to land safely on both feet to prevent injury.
- Try to align your jump mark directly above your reach mark.
Jump 3 to 5 more times with 1 minute of rest between each attempt. Take multiple jumps to ensure you get the best possible result. Give yourself enough time to rest between each jump to avoid fatigue affecting your performance.
- Reapply chalk or tape to your finger and mark the wall after each jump.
- Limit your jumps to a few attempts to avoid fatigue, which can lead to declining measurements.
Subtract your standing reach from your jump reach. Measure your highest jump reach, then subtract the height of your standing reach from it. The difference between these measurements is your vertical jump.
- Now you have three key measurements: your standing reach, your jump reach, and your vertical jump height.
- If you only need the vertical jump measurement, simply measure the distance between your reach mark and your best jump mark.
- Some people prefer to record the average of all their jumps instead of just the highest one.
Record your results and track your progress to improve your vertical jump. Log your best measurement in a journal or spreadsheet so you can track improvements over time. Test your progress every 6 to 12 weeks for long-term tracking.
- A vertical jump of 20–24 inches (51–60 cm) for men or 16–20 inches (41–50 cm) for women is above average.
- Anything over 28 inches (70 cm) for men or 24 inches (60 cm) for women is considered excellent.
Measuring with a Vertec Jump Tester
Set up the Vertec on a flat surface with plenty of room for safe jumps. Find a place with high ceilings, a gym, or an open outdoor space. Use a pole or stick to extend the vanes (plastic flags) outward from the Vertec or adjust the vanes by hand if you don’t have a pole.
- The vanes are spaced in 0.5-inch (1.3 cm) increments at the top of the Vertec.
- You may want to place weights around the base to prevent the Vertec from shifting during your jumps.
- Vertecs and similar devices typically extend up to 12 feet (3.7 m) high.
Record your standing reach on the Vertec. Stand beside the pole with your feet flat on the ground. Stretch upward with your dominant hand and tap the highest vane you can reach with your middle finger. Measure the height from the ground to the vane you tapped and write down your standing reach.
- Afterward, use the pole to move the vanes beneath your standing reach inside the Vertec to clear the way.
- Alternatively, raise the vanes so that the lowest one is just above your middle finger tip when your arm is fully extended.
- If preferred, you can also measure your standing reach against a wall and subtract this from your jump reach later.
Position yourself beneath the vanes for your first vertical jump. Stand directly under the vanes to ensure that all your jumping force is directed upward. If you're too far away and need to move forward, gravity will slightly affect your jump before you hit the vanes.
- This will also ensure your reach is straight upward instead of slightly forward.
Jump as high as you can and tap the highest vane you can reach. Raise your arms, squat down, and jump up as quickly as possible. At the peak of your jump, touch the vane with your middle finger to move it and mark your jump height.
- Do not take steps or a running start before your jump, as this will distort your measurements.
- Ensure a safe landing on both feet to avoid injury.
Take 3-5 more jumps and record your highest jump reach. After each jump, use the pole to move the vanes you’ve touched toward the Vertec and adjust the others for your next jump. Continue jumping until you can't reach any higher. Measure and record the height of the highest vane you tapped (this is your jump reach).
- Rest for 1 minute between jumps to prevent fatigue.
Subtract your standing reach from your jump reach. After measuring your highest jump, subtract the earlier standing reach measurement. The difference is your vertical jump height. If you initially raised the vanes to your standing reach, count how many vanes you moved. Each vane represents 0.5 in (1.3 cm).
- Divide the number of vanes by 2 to calculate your vertical jump in inches.
- Most Vertecs measure in inches, though some may use centimeter increments.
Record your results to track your progress and improve your jump. Write down your best vertical jump (and your standing and jump reach if necessary) in a fitness journal or spreadsheet. Reassess yourself every 6 to 12 weeks to track improvements over time.
- Jumps between 20–24 inches (51–60 cm) for men or 16–20 inches (41–50 cm) for women are considered above average.
- Anything over 28 inches (70 cm) for men or 24 inches (60 cm) for women is considered excellent.
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Consider buying and installing a hook-and-loop fastener or magnetic jump board on a wall to easily mark and measure your vertical jump. It typically costs under $70.
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The accuracy of wall or Vertec measurements is debated, but as long as you remain consistent with the method you use, you'll get reliable progress tracking.
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Warm up with a few practice jumps to get comfortable with the form before attempting your first official test.
Warnings
- Do not take steps or start running before your jump when measuring on a wall, as this can cause injury.
