Dunk Calculator
Basketball Dunk Calculator
To determine if you can dunk a basketball, input your standing reach (height you can reach while standing) and your vertical jump height. The calculator will compare these measurements against standard basketball rim height (10 feet or 120 inches) to assess your dunking ability.
Enter measurements in either inches or centimeters for accurate results.
Dunking Example Chart
Player Height | Standing Reach (SR) | Rim Height | Vertical Jump Required (VJ) | Formula Used |
---|---|---|---|---|
5’6″ (66 inches) | 44 inches | 120 inches | 82 inches | 120 – 44 + 6 = 82 |
5’10” (70 inches) | 46 inches | 120 inches | 80 inches | 120 – 46 + 6 = 80 |
6’0″ (72 inches) | 48 inches | 120 inches | 78 inches | 120 – 48 + 6 = 78 |
6’2″ (74 inches) | 49 inches | 120 inches | 77 inches | 120 – 49 + 6 = 77 |
6’4″ (76 inches) | 50 inches | 120 inches | 76 inches | 120 – 50 + 6 = 76 |
6’6″ (78 inches) | 52 inches | 120 inches | 74 inches | 120 – 52 + 6 = 74 |
6’8″ (80 inches) | 53 inches | 120 inches | 73 inches | 120 – 53 + 6 = 73 |
7’0″ (84 inches) | 56 inches | 120 inches | 70 inches | 120 – 56 + 6 = 70 |
How to Calculate Vertical Jump?
To measure your vertical jump, start by marking or measuring your standing reach. Then perform a maximum jump and measure the highest point you can touch. The difference between these two measurements is your vertical jump height. For accuracy, take multiple measurements and use the highest consistent result.
- Standing Reach: 96 inches (8 feet)
- Hoop Height: 120 inches (10 feet)
Vertical Jump = (120 + 6) – 96 = 30 inches
Result: You need a 30-inch vertical jump to dunk.
- Standing Reach: 92 inches (7 feet 8 inches)
- Hoop Height: 120 inches (10 feet)
Vertical Jump = (120 + 6) – 92 = 34 inches
Result: You need a 34-inch vertical jump to dunk.
Dunking Formula
Basic Dunk Height Formula:
Total Reach = Standing Reach + Vertical Jump
Dunk Ability = Total Reach - Rim Height
Where:
Standing Reach = Height you can reach while standing flat-footed
Vertical Jump = Maximum jump height
Rim Height = 10 feet (120 inches)
Required Vertical Jump Formula:
Required Vertical Jump = Rim Height - Standing Reach + Ball Clearance
Where:
Rim Height = 10 feet (120 inches)
Standing Reach = Your standing reach height
Ball Clearance = 6-8 inches (minimum needed to dunk)
Example 1: Tall Player
- Standing Reach = 96 inches
- Vertical Jump = 28 inches
- Total Reach = 124 inches
- Result = Can Dunk (4 inches above rim)
Example 2: Average Height Player
- Standing Reach = 88 inches
- Vertical Jump = 34 inches
- Total Reach = 122 inches
- Result = Can Dunk (2 inches above rim)
Example 3: Shorter Player
- Standing Reach = 84 inches
- Vertical Jump = 32 inches
- Total Reach = 116 inches
- Result = Cannot Dunk (4 inches below rim)
Example 4: Elite Jumper
- Standing Reach = 90 inches
- Vertical Jump = 40 inches
- Total Reach = 130 inches
- Result = Can Dunk (10 inches above rim)
Example 5: Youth Player
- Standing Reach = 82 inches
- Vertical Jump = 25 inches
- Total Reach = 107 inches
- Result = Cannot Dunk (13 inches below rim)
How High Do I Need to Jump to Dunk?
Subtract your standing reach from rim height (120 inches) and add 6-8 inches for ball clearance to determine your required vertical jump. For example, if your standing reach is 90 inches, you need approximately a 36-inch vertical jump to dunk (120 – 90 + 6 = 36 inches).
What is Dunking?
Dunking is the action of jumping high enough to score by putting the basketball directly through the hoop from above, requiring a combination of height, jumping ability, and proper technique to achieve the 10-foot rim height while maintaining control of the ball.