Cycling Cadence and Speed Calculator
Converts between cadence and speed for a given gear and wheel. Useful for picking a gear for a target speed, or for checking what cadence a climb will demand.
Share sends a link that reopens these numbers. Copy details pastes the full breakdown as a list.
The formula
speed (km/h) = development (m) × cadence × 60 ÷ 1,000 cadence = speed × 1,000 ÷ 60 ÷ development
Development is the distance per pedal stroke; multiply by strokes per minute and you have metres per minute. The two directions are the same equation, which is why a gear chart is just this table filled in for every sprocket.
What to watch out for
What cadence is for:
- 70–100 rpm is where most riders are efficient; around 85–95 for sustained road riding.
- Below 60 loads the knees and fatigues the big muscles; shift down.
- Above 110 the pedalling gets rough for most people; shift up.
A gear range is a speed range divided by a cadence range. If your lowest gear needs 55 rpm on your steepest climb, the bike needs a lower gear, not a stronger rider.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is 90 rpm in a 50/17?
On a 700 × 25c wheel, about 33 km/h — 6.19 m per pedal stroke, times 90, times 60. The same cadence in 34/28 is 14 km/h.
What cadence should I ride at?
Around 85–95 rpm for sustained road riding, lower on steep climbs, higher in sprints. The right gear is the one that keeps you in that range at the speed you want.
Why is my bike computer speed different from this?
Almost always the wheel circumference setting. Tyre size, pressure and rider weight all change the rolling circumference by a few per cent. Measure a rollout with you on the bike and enter that.