What Is a Good Vertical Jump

Vertical Jump Benchmarks

A 30-inch vertical jump might be average for an NBA player but record-breaking for an 80-year-old. The number itself has little meaning on its own but becomes meaningful when viewed in context.

So what's a good vertical jump? Let’s break it down.

Still, many athletes wonder how their vertical jump compares to the general population. The table below provides clear benchmarks.

How High Can Humans Jump?

The highest vertical jump ever recorded is credited to Darius Clark. In 2022, he set a Guinness World Record with an incredible 50-inch running vertical leap in Salt Lake City.

Watch Darius Clark’s 51-Inch World Record Vertical Jump as He Breaks His Own Record

Clark is a decorated long jumper and former track standout at Florida State and Texas A&M. During his senior season at Texas A&M, he earned second-team All-American honors and recorded one of the longest jumps in school history (7.85 m).

This previous example shows a running vertical jump, but there is also an official world record for the highest box jump.

The Highest Box Jump Ever

The world record standing vertical jump onto a platform was set by Evan Ungar (Ontario, Canada) on June 16, 2016. The personal trainer cleared an impressive 5 ft 3 in. Obviously, no run up was allowed, it had to be performed from a completely stationary position.

Watch the World Record Vertical Jump Video

Ungar stood 5 ft 10.5 in tall at the time, meaning he jumped nearly his full body height, making it even more impressive.

Is a 30 Inch Vertical Good?

A 30-inch vertical jump is:

• Often sufficient for dunking if you are around 6 feet tall
• Strong for organized, competitive basketball
• Roughly 6-10 inches above the average male vertical jump
• Slightly above the NBA average standing vertical (28-29 inches)

Recap

What is a good vertical jump? -> 24 inches

What is a good standing vertical jump? -> 20 inches