VAM Climbing Speed Calculator

VAM Climbing Speed Calculator

VAM is how cyclists compare climbing strength regardless of distance or speed — it counts only how fast you gain height. Enter the elevation you climbed and how long it took, and this calculator returns your VAM in metres per hour plus how long 1000 m of vertical would take at that rate. Use it to track climbing form, compare efforts on different climbs, and set targets for your next big ascent.

VAM (Velocità Ascensionale Media) is the vertical metres you climb per hour — the cleanest single measure of climbing performance in cycling, popularised on the great Tour and Giro climbs. Recreational climbers manage roughly 700–1000 m/h, strong amateurs 1100–1400, and elite pros over 1600 m/h on steep gradients. It rises with gradient at the same effort, so compare VAM on similar climbs.