Cycling Power Zone Calculator
Calculate cycling training power zones from functional threshold power.
About Cycling Power Zone Calculator
All zones are expressed as percentages of FTP, so the whole model shifts when FTP changes. Power to weight matters on climbs while absolute power matters on the flat. An FTP set too high makes every zone too hard, which is why the twenty minute test is repeated rather than assumed to hold across a season.
Formula
Cycling Power Zone
Zones are fixed percentages of FTP; FTP is about 95 per cent of twenty minute power
- FTP
- The highest power sustainable for roughly an hour
- watts per kg
- The figure that determines climbing performance
Worked example
With the default values below, Cycling Power Zone Calculator returns Threshold Zone Lower Bound of 237.5. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.
Inputs used
- Functional threshold powerminimum 1 W
- 250 W
- Body weightaccepts 20–200 kg
- 72 kg
- Twenty minute test powerminimum 1 W
- 263 W
Results
- Threshold Zone Lower Bound
- 237.5 W
- Power to Weight Ratio
- 3.472 W/kg
- Endurance Zone Upper Bound
- 187.5 W
- VO2max Zone Lower Bound
- 265.0 W
- FTP Estimated From the Test
- 249.9 W
Step by step
- 1Values used
- 2Cycling Power Zone
- 3Threshold Zone Lower Bound= 237.5 W
- 4Power to Weight Ratio= 3.472 W/kg
- 5Endurance Zone Upper Bound= 187.5 W
- 6VO2max Zone Lower Bound= 265.0 W
- 7FTP Estimated From the Test= 249.9 W
Assumptions and limits
- The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
- In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
- Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
- These figures are population-average estimates for training and recreational planning only and are not medical advice. Individual responses vary widely. Consult a qualified health professional before starting or significantly changing an exercise, supplement or nutrition programme, particularly if you have any medical condition.
- This is an estimate for general information and not professional medical advice. See the full disclaimer for the limits that apply to this kind of calculator.
How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.
These figures are population-average estimates for training and recreational planning only and are not medical advice. Individual responses vary widely. Consult a qualified health professional before starting or significantly changing an exercise, supplement or nutrition programme, particularly if you have any medical condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Cycling Power Zone calculated?
Zones are fixed percentages of FTP; FTP is about 95 per cent of twenty minute power All zones are expressed as percentages of FTP, so the whole model shifts when FTP changes. Power to weight matters on climbs while absolute power matters on the flat.
Why does Cycling Power Zone matter?
An FTP set too high makes every zone too hard, which is why the twenty minute test is repeated rather than assumed to hold across a season.
What values do I need to enter?
This calculator takes 3 inputs: Functional threshold power, Body weight, Twenty minute test power. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.