Calculate gradient percentage, VAM (vertical ascent meters per hour), and climbing performance. Compare your efforts against famous Tour de France climbs.
VAM (Velocità Ascensionale Media) is the gold standard for measuring climbing performance in cycling. Popularized by Dr. Michele Ferrari and used extensively in professional cycling analysis, VAM tells you exactly how fast you are gaining altitude. Combined with gradient analysis, these metrics give you a complete picture of any climb.
Understanding your VAM helps you pace climbs effectively, track fitness improvements over time, and compare your performance against reference benchmarks. Whether you are training for your first hill climb or targeting a personal best on a mountain pass, these metrics provide objective feedback on your climbing ability.
| Category | VAM (m/hr) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational | < 600 | Casual riders, beginners, touring pace |
| Trained | 600–900 | Regular riders, club-level fitness |
| Competitive | 900–1200 | Amateur racers, strong club riders |
| Elite | 1200–1500 | Top amateurs, domestic professionals |
| Professional | 1500+ | Grand Tour climbers, WorldTour level |
Estimate watts required for any speed, gradient, and wind condition
Find the right gearing for steep climbs and fast descents
Estimate calories burned on climbs and rides
Calculate speed from cadence and gearing, or vice versa
Optimize pedaling efficiency for climbing with proper saddle height
Enter distance and elevation gain to analyze your climb. Add time for VAM calculation.