CYCLE CALCULATORS

CalculatorsCadence to Speed Calculator

Cadence to Speed Calculator

Speed is cadence times how far one crank revolution takes you. Hold 90 rpm and change the cog if you want a different speed without changing fitness.

Inputs

Units

Results

Speed
21.0 mph
Roll-out
20.55 ft

The Result is indicative and educational. It does not constitute a design, a technical opinion or medical advice and does not replace calculations or verification by a person with the appropriate qualifications and authorisations. Before purchase, installation or use in practice – in particular in electrical installations – the Result should be verified by a qualified specialist. Details: Terms of Service, point 4.

How the number is made

Circumference (m) = π × (bead seat diameter + 2 × labelled tyre width) ÷ 1000. Roll-out (m) = (chainring ÷ cog) × circumference. Speed (km/h) = cadence × roll-out × 60 ÷ 1000. Example: 90 rpm in 50×17 on 700×28c → 6.26 m per turn, 33.8 km/h.

Assumes no wheel slip and the labelled tyre height. A headwind does not change this number; it changes the watts you need.

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Questions

What cadence should I use?

90 rpm is a useful default on the road. Climbs often fall to 70–80. Track sprinters go well above 110.

Why is my GPS slower?

Not because of wind: at a fixed cadence and gear, ground speed is set. The gap comes from a loaded tyre rolling a little shorter than its label, from averaging cadence across coasting and shifts, and from GPS smoothing that cuts corners.

Does cadence speed include wind or gradient?

No. Speed is cadence times roll-out. It is the speed of the wheel, not the power required to hold that speed.

Example products

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