The vertical needed to dunk is the rim height, minus your standing reach, plus a margin that gets your hand and the ball above the rim. These tables do that sum for you. Height-based figures use the rule of thumb that standing reach is about 1.31 times height, so they are estimates, and the dunk calculator will give an exact figure from your own measurements.
By height
Estimated vertical in inches for a basic dunk, which assumes fingertips 6 in above the rim.
| Height | Est. reach | Touch rim (10 ft) | Basic dunk (10 ft) | Basic dunk (9 ft) | Basic dunk (8 ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4′ 10″ | 6′ 4″ | 44 in | 50 in | 38 in | 26 in |
| 5′ 0″ | 6′ 6.6″ | 41.4 in | 47.4 in | 35.4 in | 23.4 in |
| 5′ 2″ | 6′ 9.2″ | 38.8 in | 44.8 in | 32.8 in | 20.8 in |
| 5′ 4″ | 6′ 11.8″ | 36.2 in | 42.2 in | 30.2 in | 18.2 in |
| 5′ 6″ | 7′ 2.5″ | 33.5 in | 39.5 in | 27.5 in | 15.5 in |
| 5′ 8″ | 7′ 5.1″ | 30.9 in | 36.9 in | 24.9 in | 12.9 in |
| 5′ 10″ | 7′ 7.7″ | 28.3 in | 34.3 in | 22.3 in | 10.3 in |
| 6′ 0″ | 7′ 10.3″ | 25.7 in | 31.7 in | 19.7 in | 7.7 in |
| 6′ 2″ | 8′ 0.9″ | 23.1 in | 29.1 in | 17.1 in | 5.1 in |
| 6′ 4″ | 8′ 3.6″ | 20.4 in | 26.4 in | 14.4 in | 2.4 in |
| 6′ 6″ | 8′ 6.2″ | 17.8 in | 23.8 in | 11.8 in | 0 in |
| 6′ 8″ | 8′ 8.8″ | 15.2 in | 21.2 in | 9.2 in | 0 in |
| 6′ 10″ | 8′ 11.4″ | 12.6 in | 18.6 in | 6.6 in | 0 in |
| 7′ 0″ | 9′ 2″ | 10 in | 16 in | 4 in | 0 in |
Read across a row to see how a lower rim helps. Each foot you drop the rim takes 12 inches off the vertical you need, which is why 9 and 8 ft rims are a common way to learn the movement. Read down a column to see the effect of height: each extra 2 inches of height takes about 2.6 inches off the jump.
By standing reach
If you know your standing reach, skip the estimate. This table shows the vertical for each dunk type on a 10 ft rim.
| Standing reach | Touch Rim | Basic Dunk | Power Dunk | Windmill | 360° Dunk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7′ 0″ | 36 in | 42 in | 44 in | 46 in | 48 in |
| 7′ 2″ | 34 in | 40 in | 42 in | 44 in | 46 in |
| 7′ 4″ | 32 in | 38 in | 40 in | 42 in | 44 in |
| 7′ 6″ | 30 in | 36 in | 38 in | 40 in | 42 in |
| 7′ 8″ | 28 in | 34 in | 36 in | 38 in | 40 in |
| 7′ 10″ | 26 in | 32 in | 34 in | 36 in | 38 in |
| 8′ 0″ | 24 in | 30 in | 32 in | 34 in | 36 in |
| 8′ 2″ | 22 in | 28 in | 30 in | 32 in | 34 in |
| 8′ 4″ | 20 in | 26 in | 28 in | 30 in | 32 in |
| 8′ 6″ | 18 in | 24 in | 26 in | 28 in | 30 in |
| 8′ 8″ | 16 in | 22 in | 24 in | 26 in | 28 in |
| 8′ 10″ | 14 in | 20 in | 22 in | 24 in | 26 in |
| 9′ 0″ | 12 in | 18 in | 20 in | 22 in | 24 in |
The margins behind each column are planning choices for this calculator, not official standards, and the Between Legs column is left out for width; see the dunk types page for all six. A positive gap between these numbers and your own vertical is the amount you still have to find.
How to use these numbers
- Measure first. Use the standing reach calculator to estimate or measure your reach, and the vertical jump calculator for your current vertical.
- Compare like with like. A running vertical is usually higher than a standing one, so match the test to how you will take off.
- Remember what the numbers can't see. Timing, hand size and ball control decide whether reach turns into a dunk. Short players can and do dunk; see can short players dunk.
Frequently asked questions
What vertical do I need to dunk at 5′10″?
What vertical do I need to dunk at 6′0″?
How much does a 9 ft rim lower the vertical needed?
Why does reach matter more than height?
Get your own number
Enter your height, reach and vertical in the dunk calculator to see the jump you need and the gap left.