About the VAM Climbing Speed Calculator
This VAM calculator measures how fast you climb. VAM (velocità ascensionale media, or mean ascent velocity) is the number of vertical metres gained per hour, and it is the standard way cyclists and coaches compare climbing performances on different hills. Enter the elevation gain, the length of the climb and your time, and it returns VAM, the average gradient and an estimate of your power-to-weight ratio.
It is useful for road cyclists checking a Strava segment, for comparing your effort with a famous climb, and for hikers and runners tracking vertical speed. Add your weight (rider plus bike is not needed) to turn the W/kg estimate into watts.
The W/kg figure uses Dr Michele Ferrari's rule of thumb, which divides VAM by a gradient factor. It is a rough guide that works best for steady climbs of 5–10% lasting 20 minutes or more; wind, drafting, rough surfaces and very shallow gradients make it less reliable. Use a power meter when you need real numbers.
With the default inputs, the vam is 1,607 m/h. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the vam climbing speed calculator
- 1Choose metric or imperial units.
- 2Enter the climb's elevation gain and length (from a map, GPS file or segment).
- 3Enter your time for the climb.
- 4Optionally add your weight to estimate watts.
- 5Read your VAM and compare it with the table of other climbing speeds.
Formula and method
VAM is simply the vertical metres climbed divided by the time in hours. Because it ignores horizontal distance, it lets you compare climbs of different lengths and gradients. Average gradient G is elevation gain divided by horizontal distance, expressed in percent.
The power estimate uses Michele Ferrari's empirical relationship: relative power in W/kg is VAM divided by a gradient factor of 2 + G/10, times 100. On steeper roads more of your power goes into lifting your weight, so the same VAM needs slightly less W/kg. Watts are W/kg × rider weight. Imperial inputs are converted at 3.28084 ft per metre, 1.609344 km per mile and 2.20462 lb per kg.
- VAM
- Vertical ascent rate, metres per hour
- G
- Average gradient, %
- W/kg
- Estimated power per kilogram of body weight
Worked examples
Alpe d'Huez–style climb: 1,071 m over 13.8 km in 40:00
1,071 m in 40 minutes is 1,071 × 60 ÷ 40 = 1,606.5 m/h. The gradient is 7.76%, so the factor is 2.776 and estimated power is 1,606.5 ÷ 277.6 = 5.79 W/kg — about 405 W for a 70 kg rider.
Long amateur climb: 1,550 m over 21.1 km in 1:20:00, 68 kg
1,550 m in 80 minutes is a VAM of 1,162.5 m/h. At 7.35% the factor is 2.735, giving about 4.25 W/kg, or roughly 289 W at 68 kg.
Imperial: 4,000 ft over 6 miles in 50 minutes, 165 lb
4,000 ft is 1,219.2 m, so VAM is 1,463 m/h on a steep 12.6% average. The factor of 3.263 gives about 4.48 W/kg, or roughly 336 W for a 74.8 kg rider.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good VAM?+
As a rough guide, recreational cyclists climb at 600–900 m/h, strong amateurs at 1,000–1,300 m/h, and WorldTour professionals at 1,600–1,800 m/h or more on long climbs. Short, steep efforts produce higher VAM than long climbs.
What does VAM stand for?+
VAM is short for the Italian "velocità ascensionale media", meaning average ascent speed. The term was popularised by sports doctor Michele Ferrari and is measured in vertical metres per hour.
How accurate is the W/kg estimate from VAM?+
It is a rough estimate. It ignores wind, drafting, road surface, bike weight and rider aerodynamics, so it can be off by 5–10% or more. It works best for steady climbs of 5–10% gradient lasting at least 20 minutes.
Why is VAM higher on steeper climbs?+
On steep gradients almost all of your power goes into gaining height, with little lost to air resistance. On shallower climbs you go faster horizontally and more power is spent on drag, so the same watts give less vertical gain per hour.
Can I use VAM for running or hiking?+
Yes. VAM is a clean way to track vertical speed on uphill runs, ski touring and hikes. The W/kg estimate, though, is calibrated for cycling and does not apply to running or walking.