Fourteen free cycling calculators covering power, speed, calories, training zones, and gear ratios. All tools work for road, mountain, and track cycling.
Understanding cycling metrics
FTP (Functional Threshold Power) is the highest average power output in watts you can sustain for approximately one hour. It is the foundation of power-based training — your training zones are set as percentages of FTP. An 8-minute or 20-minute test (with a correction factor) is the most practical way to estimate FTP without a full-hour effort. The FTP Power Zones calculator converts your FTP into the seven zones used in structured training plans.
Power-to-weight ratio (watts per kilogram, W/kg) is the key metric for climbing performance. The same FTP produces a faster climb on a lighter rider because weight is what gravity acts on. Professional road cycling climbers typically achieve 5.5–6.5 W/kg; recreational club cyclists are typically 2.5–4 W/kg. The power-to-weight calculator lets you see where you stand and how changes in either power or weight would affect your ratio.
Cadence (pedal revolutions per minute, RPM) affects both power output and fatigue accumulation. Most recreational cyclists gravitate toward lower cadences (70–80 RPM) which produce more muscular fatigue per watt. Most coaches recommend training toward higher cadences (85–100 RPM) which distribute the workload more onto the cardiovascular system and preserve muscular endurance for long rides.
All cycling tools
5Cycling Speed & Gear Calculator
Work out your average speed, ride time or distance from any two of the three.
Open toolPower-to-Weight Ratio Calculator
Calculate your watts per kilogram — the key metric for climbing and cycling performance.
Open toolFTP Power Zone Calculator
Calculate your seven cycling power training zones from your FTP.
Open toolCycling Calorie Calculator
Estimate calories burned cycling by intensity, bodyweight and ride time.
Open toolBike Gear Ratio Calculator
Calculate gear ratio, gain ratio and speed at a given cadence for any chainring and sprocket.
Open toolFrequently asked questions
How do I calculate my FTP?
The most practical test: warm up thoroughly, then ride as hard as you can sustain for 20 minutes. Your FTP estimate is 95% of your 20-minute average power (the 5% discount accounts for the fact that 20 minutes is shorter than an hour). Repeat every 4–8 weeks to track progress. More accurate: a true 60-minute maximal effort, though most cyclists prefer the shorter test.
What is a good cycling power-to-weight ratio?
For context: under 2.0 W/kg is untrained; 2.0–3.0 W/kg is recreational; 3.0–4.0 W/kg is a regular club cyclist; 4.0–5.0 W/kg is a competitive amateur; 5.0–6.0 W/kg is an elite amateur or domestic professional; above 6.0 W/kg is World Tour professional level. Most people can improve their ratio by 0.5–1.0 W/kg with 6–12 months of structured training.
How many calories does cycling burn per hour?
A 75kg cyclist riding at moderate pace (16–20 km/h) burns approximately 400–550 calories per hour. At recreational race pace (25–30 km/h), approximately 600–750 calories per hour. Power output is the most accurate predictor — roughly 3.6 calories per watt-hour. The cycling calorie calculator accounts for bodyweight, speed, and duration for a more personalised estimate.
What gear ratio should I use for climbing?
A lower gear ratio (smaller chainring, larger sprocket) makes climbing easier by reducing the force required per pedal stroke at the cost of speed. Most modern road bikes with compact chainsets (50/34) and an 11-32 cassette provide sufficient range for most UK climbs. For very steep gradients (10%+), a 34×32 or even a 1× drivetrain with a wide-range cassette is increasingly popular. The gear ratio calculator shows your development (metres per pedal revolution) for any combination.