Cycling cadence calculator

Cadence is how many times your pedals turn each minute. Add your gear and see what speed your rpm gives, or how hard you are pushing for the speed you ride.

Your details

Speed at 90 rpm

23.5

mph (37.9 km/h)

Gear ratio3.33
Distance per pedal turn7.02 m
Your cadencein the 70 to 100 rpm range most riders settle in
At 90 rpm23.5 mph
Cadence for 18 mph in this gear69 rpm
Gear for 18 mph at 90 rpm50 x 20 (exactly 19.6 teeth), 17.7 mph
Add your cassetteto see your whole speed range and the easiest gear for climbing

In a study of Tour riders, professionals chose about 90 rpm on the flat and about 70 rpm on long climbs. Most club riders are comfortable between 70 and 100 rpm. Spinning a lighter gear faster is usually kinder to knees than grinding a big one.

The working

90 rpm on 50 by 15

50 ÷ 15 = a 3.33 ratio, so each pedal turn moves a 2,105 mm wheel 7.02 m. At 90 rpm that is 631 m a minute: 37.9 km/h, or 23.5 mph.

Working back from a speed: 18 mph is 28.97 km/h, or 483 m a minute, so on 50 by 15 you need 483 ÷ 7.02 = 69 rpm, a slowish grind. To hold 18 mph at your 90 rpm instead, the sprocket would need 50 × 2.105 × 90 ÷ 483 = 19.6 teeth, so a 20 tooth sprocket gives 17.7 mph.

What cadence

What riders choose

In a study of professional riders in the big tours, they chose about 90 rpm on the flat and in time trials and about 70 rpm on long climbs. Most club and commuting riders sit between 70 and 100 rpm. There is no single right number: pick the gear that lets you keep a smooth, steady spin.

Good cadence

What riders use

Riding	Typical rpm
Steady leisure	60 to 80
Road riding	80 to 95
Climbing	70 to 85
Sprinting	100 plus

Your range

The whole cassette and the climbing gear

Pick your cassette and we show the speed at your cadence in its easiest and hardest gears, plus the easiest gear at 70 rpm, the cadence professionals chose on long climbs. On a 50 tooth ring with an 11 to 28 cassette and a 700c × 25 wheel, 90 rpm runs from 12.6 to 32.1 mph, and the easiest gear at 70 rpm is 9.8 mph: quick for a steep hill, which is why many riders pair a smaller 34 tooth ring with an 11 to 32 for hilly rides (5.8 mph at 70 rpm). We call 6 mph or less at 70 rpm a gear for steep hills.

Knees and gears

Spin, do not grind

Pushing big gears at low rpm loads the knees. If your knees ache, try one gear easier and a slightly faster spin. Saddle height matters too: a slight bend at the bottom of the stroke.

Read with care

What this cannot tell you

Wind and hillsSpeed comes from power and conditions, not just gearing.
Tyre pressureSoft tyres change rolling distance slightly.
Knee painPersistent pain is worth a bike fit or physio check.

Questions

Common questions

What is a good cycling cadence?

Around 80 to 95 rpm for most road riders.

How do I work out my speed from cadence?

Rpm × gear ratio × wheel circumference.

Is a higher cadence better?

Often for endurance and knees, but comfort matters most.

Sources

Last checked 21 October 2026. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.

Before you push on

New to exercise, or got a heart, lung or joint condition? Have a word with your GP or practice nurse first. Stop and get help if you feel chest pain, faintness or unusual breathlessness, and call 999 if it is severe.