Vertical speed is how fast you climb, your ascent divided by the time it took. Gain 600 metres in 1 hour 30 minutes and your vertical speed is 400 metres per hour, a steady mountaineering rate. Enter your ascent and time to see your climb rate in metres and feet per hour.
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How to Use the Vertical Speed Calculator
- Enter the ascent you climbed in metres.
- Enter the time it took as hours and minutes.
- Read your vertical speed in metres per hour.
- Check the feet-per-hour rate, the time per 100 metres and your fitness band.
| Result | What it means |
|---|---|
| Vertical speed | Metres of height gained per hour. |
| In feet per hour | The same rate in feet, common in the US. |
| Time per 100 m | How long it takes to climb 100 metres at this rate. |
| Fitness band | A rough label from gentle to fast. |
What Is Vertical Speed?
Vertical speed, or ascent rate, is how quickly you gain height, measured in metres or feet per hour. On steep ground it is a far better measure of effort than horizontal pace, because when you are climbing hard the distance barely changes while the height rockets up.
Mountaineers, hill runners and ski tourers all track vertical speed to gauge fitness and to plan climbs. A known ascent rate lets you predict how long a big climb will take, which horizontal pace alone cannot do on steep terrain. It is the reason two hikers can walk the same trail in wildly different times: the faster one is usually not moving their feet quicker, but converting effort into height more efficiently.
How Does the Vertical Speed Calculation Work?
vertical speed = ascent / time- Turn your time into hours.
- Divide the ascent in metres by the time in hours for metres per hour.
- Multiply by 3.281 for feet per hour.
- Divide 6000 by the rate for the minutes to climb 100 metres.
Because it isolates the climbing, vertical speed lets you compare a short steep effort with a long gradual one on equal terms. That single number is what serious mountaineers quote when they describe how quickly a party moves, far more than distance or overall time.
Vertical Speed Example
You climb 600 metres in 1 hour 30 minutes. That is 600 metres in 1.5 hours, so your vertical speed is 400 metres per hour, or about 1,312 feet per hour. At that rate each 100 metres of height takes 15 minutes. A rate of 400 metres per hour is a solid, sustainable pace that matches the classic Naismith figure of 600 metres per hour being a brisk effort.
What Affects Your Vertical Speed
Fitness
Aerobic fitness is the main driver; strong hill walkers sustain 500 to 700 metres per hour, while most manage 300 to 400.
Steepness
Very steep ground can actually raise your vertical speed, because you gain height fast, even though it feels harder.
Pack Weight
A heavy load cuts your ascent rate noticeably, so measure with the pack you will carry.
Altitude and Conditions
Thin air, heat, snow and fatigue all slow your climb rate on a long day.
Vertical Speeds Compared
These bands give a feel for ascent rates on foot.
| Rate | Feet per hour | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Under 300 m/h | Under 985 ft/h | Gentle or heavily loaded |
| 300 to 500 m/h | 985 to 1,640 ft/h | Moderate, typical hill walker |
| 500 to 700 m/h | 1,640 to 2,300 ft/h | Strong, fit walker |
| Over 700 m/h | Over 2,300 ft/h | Fast, trained mountain athlete |
For planning a big climb, 300 to 500 metres per hour is a realistic figure for most people over a full day.
When to Use a Vertical Speed Calculator
Gauging Fitness
Track your ascent rate on a regular climb to see progress over a season.
Planning a Big Climb
Use your typical rate to estimate how long a large height gain will take.
Comparing Efforts
Put a short steep climb and a long gradual one on the same footing.
Common Vertical Speed Mistakes
1. Confusing It with Pace
Horizontal pace and vertical speed are different; on steep ground the vertical rate matters more.
2. Timing the Wrong Section
Measure a clean climbing section, not one that includes flat or descent, or the rate is diluted.
3. Using a Sprint
A rate you can hold for five minutes is not one you can sustain all day; measure a realistic effort.
4. Ignoring the Pack
Your loaded ascent rate is well below your unladen one, so test with your real load.
Accuracy and Limitations
The rate maths is exact for the ascent and time you enter. It reflects the section you timed, not necessarily a whole day.
What it calculates accurately
- Ascent rate in metres and feet per hour
- Time to climb 100 metres
- A rough fitness band
What it does not do
- Predict a sustainable all-day rate from a short effort
- Account for altitude, heat or fatigue
- Separate steep from gradual within the section
How We Calculate the Result
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate vertical speed?
Divide the ascent by the time in hours. Climbing 600 metres in 1.5 hours is a vertical speed of 400 metres per hour.
What is a good vertical speed hiking?
Most hill walkers sustain 300 to 500 metres per hour. A strong walker holds 500 to 700, and trained mountain athletes exceed 700.
Why measure vertical speed instead of pace?
On steep ground horizontal distance barely changes while height climbs fast, so vertical speed captures the real effort better than pace.
How do I convert metres per hour to feet per hour?
Multiply by about 3.281. So 400 metres per hour is roughly 1,312 feet per hour.
How long to climb 1000 metres?
At 400 metres per hour it takes about 2.5 hours; at 500 metres per hour, about 2 hours. Divide the height by your rate.
Does a heavy pack lower vertical speed?
Yes, noticeably. Test your ascent rate with the load you plan to carry, not unladen.
Is 600 metres per hour fast?
It is a brisk, fit pace and matches the classic Naismith climbing rate. Sustaining it all day is demanding.
Can vertical speed help plan a climb?
Yes. Multiply your typical rate by the height to gain to estimate the climbing time for a big ascent.
Is my data saved?
No. The calculator runs entirely in your browser and nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere.
Sources
- Naismith rule (Wikipedia).
- Mountaineering (Wikipedia).
- Cumulative elevation gain (Wikipedia).
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Explore all hobby calculatorsFor training and planning use. Vertical speed reflects the section you timed; a short effort will overstate the rate you can hold across a full mountain day. Spotted an error? Let us know.
Author
Shakeel Muzaffar is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of MultiCalculators.com, bringing over 15 years of experience in digital publishing, product strategy, and online tool development. He leads the platform's editorial vision, ensuring every calculator meets strict standards for accuracy, usability, and real-world value. Shakeel personally oversees content quality, formula verification workflows, and the platform's commitment to publishing tools that are genuinely useful for students, professionals, and everyday users worldwide.
