Dunk Calculator: How High Do You Need to Jump to Dunk?
Calculate the vertical jump and reach you need to dunk on a 10 ft rim — enter standing reach and current jump, choose one-hand or two-hand clearance, and get your exact dunk gap.
Results
- Current vertical jump
- 60 cm
- Jump reach minus standing reach
- Vertical needed to dunk
- 95 cm
- One-hand dunk (~15 cm / 6 in) on a 305 cm rim
- Dunk gap
- +35 cm to go
- Required vertical minus current vertical
Required vertical by rim height for your standing reach
| Rim | Required reach | Required vertical |
|---|---|---|
| 274 cm | 289 cm | 64 cm |
| 290 cm | 305 cm | 80 cm |
| 305 cm | 320 cm | 95 cm |
Clearance scenarios on your current rim
| Goal | Required vertical | Your status |
|---|---|---|
| Rim touch only (0 cm / 0 in) | 80 cm | 20 cm to go |
| One-hand dunk (~15 cm / 6 in) | 95 cm | 35 cm to go |
| Two-hand dunk (~20 cm / 8 in) | 100 cm | 40 cm to go |
How it works & limitations
The dunk math
A regulation rim is 10 ft (305 cm). To dunk, your hand has to clear the rim by enough to control the ball — commonly about 6 in (15 cm) for a one-hand dunk and 8 in (20 cm) for a two-hand dunk. Required vertical = rim height + clearance − standing reach. Your vertical is jump reach − standing reach, so the gap is the number this calculator gives you.
Use your approach jump
Most in-game dunks are approach jumps, not standing CMJs. If your vertical changes by 5–10 cm between standing and running tests, use the approach number for the dunk calculation and train the last two steps, arm swing and block-step conversion. The approach jump technique guide in the related articles explains the three cues that matter.
Standing reach changes the answer
Two players with the same 70 cm vertical can have completely different dunk requirements because standing reach differs by arm length and height. Measure reach flat-footed against a wall with the shoulder fully extended — do not estimate it from height.
How to close the gap
If the gap is under 5 cm, technique and a deload week often close it. If it is 5–15 cm, train maximal intent jumps, approach technique and relative strength. If it is above 15 cm, the fastest route is a structured strength-to-power progression — exactly what the BounceLab assessment prescribes.
Sources
Last updated 2026-08-16
- FIBA. Official Basketball Rules — basket ring height 3.05 m.
- NBA. Official Rules — basket height 10 feet.
- NSCA Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning (4th ed.), Ch. 18 — plyometric training.
Dunk clearance values are coaching estimates, not universal rules. Approach-jump measurement must use a valid wall-and-chalk or jump-mat protocol; rim and clearance choices change the result.
Frequently asked questions
How high do I need to jump to dunk?
Required vertical = rim height + hand clearance above the rim - standing reach. On a regulation 10 ft (305 cm) rim with the usual 15 cm (6 in) one-hand clearance, a player with a 225 cm standing reach needs roughly 95 cm of vertical jump. Your personal number changes with arm length and whether you dunk off one foot or two.
How much higher than the rim do you need to dunk?
Most athletes need the hand to clear the rim by about 15 cm (6 in) for a one-hand dunk and about 20 cm (8 in) for a two-hand dunk. Rim touch only is not a dunk, because the hand must be far enough over the rim to direct the ball downward.
Should I use my standing or approach vertical for the dunk calculator?
Use the approach jump if you dunk off a run-up, because most athletes jump 5-10 cm higher with an approach. Measure it with a valid wall-and-chalk or jump-mat protocol and use the best of three attempts.