Cycling Power Calculator
Calculate cycling power output (watts) from speed, weight, and gradient.
Estimate FTP and power-to-weight ratio.
Power Output
Cycling power measures the energy you produce, in watts. It accounts for speed, weight, gradient, wind, and rolling resistance.
Power components:
Total Power = Rolling Resistance + Air Resistance + Gravity + Acceleration
Simplified formula:
Power = (Crr × Weight × g × Speed) + (0.5 × CdA × ρ × Speed³) + (Weight × g × Gradient × Speed)
Where:
- Crr = rolling resistance (typical: 0.005 for road bike)
- CdA = drag coefficient × frontal area (typical: 0.3–0.4 m²)
- ρ = air density (1.225 kg/m³ at sea level)
- g = 9.81 m/s²
Power-to-weight ratio (W/kg) benchmarks:
- Beginner: 1.5–2.5 W/kg
- Recreational: 2.5–3.5 W/kg
- Competitive amateur: 3.5–4.5 W/kg
- Cat 1/Elite: 4.5–5.5 W/kg
- Professional: 5.5–6.5+ W/kg
FTP (Functional Threshold Power) is the max power you can sustain for 1 hour.