Cycling Power-to-Weight Calculator
Your W/kg ratio and rider level
AI logs your meals from a photo. Diet & workouts in one app.Get the free appFTP or average power, e.g. 250
your body weight in kilograms, e.g. 70
Cycling Power-to-Weight Calculator
In cycling, watts per kilogram (W/kg) matters more than raw power on every climb and in every time trial. Enter your FTP or sustained power and your body weight, and this calculator returns your power-to-weight ratio in W/kg and W/lb plus the rider level it corresponds to. Use it to track training progress, compare yourself against standard performance bands, or see how losing weight or gaining power changes your ratio.
Power-to-weight ratio (W/kg) is the single best predictor of climbing and time-trial performance in cycling. It is your sustainable power divided by body weight, so raising power or lowering weight both improve it. The bands shown are typical for 20-minute or FTP power: roughly under 2.5 recreational, 2.5–3.5 trained, 3.5–4.5 good, 4.5–5.5 very good, and above 5.5 W/kg elite. Use FTP for the most meaningful comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is cycling power-to-weight ratio?
- Power-to-weight ratio is your sustainable power output divided by body weight, expressed in watts per kilogram (W/kg). It strongly predicts climbing and overall road-cycling performance, since a lighter rider producing the same watts accelerates and climbs faster.
- How do I calculate my W/kg?
- Divide your power, usually your FTP, by your body weight in kilograms. For example, 280 W at 70 kg is 4.0 W/kg. Enter your FTP or power and weight, and the calculator returns your ratio along with an indicative rider category.
- What is a good power-to-weight ratio?
- At FTP, recreational riders are often around 2-3 W/kg, strong amateurs reach 3.5-4.5 W/kg, and elite or professional riders exceed 5-6 W/kg. Categories vary by sex and effort duration, so treat the rating as a guide rather than a strict cutoff.