Bike Cadence and Speed Calculator
Calculate cycling speed from cadence and gear ratio, or find the cadence needed for a target speed — essential for bike fitting and training.
Reviewed October 7, 2026 Runs in your browser — inputs are never stored
This tool provides general sports and fitness estimates for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice — consult a physician before starting or intensifying training, especially if you have a cardiovascular condition.
About the Bike Cadence and Speed Calculator
The bike cadence and speed calculator connects pedalling rate, gearing and speed. Speed = cadence × gear ratio × wheel circumference. It also works in reverse to find the cadence needed for a target speed, which helps choose gears for climbs, time trials and group rides.
How to use it
- 1Enter chainring and sprocket teeth.
- 2Choose your wheel size.
- 3Enter cadence to find speed, or switch modes to find cadence for a speed.
Worked example
a 50 × 17 gear on a 700c wheel (2.096 m) at 90 rpm gives about 90 × 2.94 × 2.096 × 60 ÷ 1,000 ≈ 33.3 km/h.
How it works
Formula
Speed (km/h) = (Cadence × Gear Ratio × Wheel Circumference × 60) ÷ 1000
Common use cases
- Choosing gears for a target speed
- Planning time-trial gearing
- Indoor training
Frequently asked questions
A:Cadence is pedaling speed in revolutions per minute (RPM). The optimal range for most cyclists is 80–100 RPM.
A:Gear ratio = Chainring teeth ÷ Sprocket teeth. Higher ratio = harder gear = more speed per pedal stroke.
A:Most road cyclists aim for 80–100 RPM for efficiency; mountain bikers often use lower cadences on technical terrain.
A:Larger wheels travel further per revolution; 700c wheels travel ~2.096m per rotation.
A:Lance Armstrong famously pioneered high cadence (~100–110 RPM) among professional cyclists.
Reviewed for accuracy · Last updated October 7, 2026
Formulas follow published sports-science literature and official league definitions (Karvonen heart rate reserve, Cooper and Bruce protocols, MET compendium values, and standard baseball, cricket, and basketball statistics).
CalcWisee Editorial Team
Calculator development and formula review
CalcWisee is an independent site founded by Ayman. Every calculator is built from a published formula or official definition, tested against hand-worked examples before it goes live, and corrected promptly when a reader reports an issue to ayman@calcwisee.com.
Expertise: Financial mathematics, Health and fitness formulas, Applied mathematics, Unit conversion standards
References & sources