Cadence is how fast you turn the pedals. Together with your gear and wheel size, it fixes your speed exactly – which is how you can plan a comfortable cadence (around 80–95 rpm for most riders) for a target speed.
How to use the Bike Cadence and Speed Calculator
- Wheel (rim bead seat diameter, mm)
- Custom bead seat diameter (mm)
- Tyre width (mm)
- Chainring teeth
- Cog (rear sprocket) teeth
- I know
- Cadence (rpm)
- Speed
Results update as you type, every field has its own unit menu, and everything is calculated in your browser.
How it works
Choose the wheel and tyre, enter the chainring and cog teeth, then enter the cadence or the speed.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Wheel (rim bead seat diameter, mm) | Choose one: 700c / 29″ (ISO 622), 650b / 27.5″ (ISO 584), 26″ MTB (ISO 559), 27″ old road (ISO 630) … |
| Custom bead seat diameter (mm) | A number |
| Tyre width (mm) | A number |
| Chainring teeth | A number |
| Cog (rear sprocket) teeth | A number |
| I know | Choose one: Cadence – find speed, Speed – find cadence |
| Cadence (rpm) | A number |
| Speed | Units: km/h, mph, m/s |
Example values
How the main result changes when Custom bead seat diameter changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Custom bead seat diameter (mm) | Speed (km/h) |
|---|---|
| 311 | 33.83 |
| 466.5 | 33.83 |
| 622 | 33.83 |
| 777.5 | 33.83 |
| 933 | 33.83 |
| 1,244 | 33.83 |
Formula
Wheel circumference C = π × (bead seat diameter + 2 × tyre width) · Speed = cadence × (chainring ÷ cog) × C
Worked example
Inputs — Wheel (rim bead seat diameter, mm): 700c / 29" (ISO 622); Tyre width (mm): 28; Chainring teeth: 50; Cog (rear sprocket) teeth: 17; I know: Cadence – find speed; Cadence (rpm): 90.
Results — Wheel circumference = 2,130 mm; Gear ratio = 2.941; Speed = 33.83 km/h; Speed at 60 rpm = 22.55 km/h; Speed at 80 rpm = 30.07 km/h; Speed at 100 rpm = 37.59 km/h; Speed at 120 rpm = 45.11 km/h.
Key terms
- Cadence
- Pedal revolutions per minute.
- Gear ratio
- Chainring teeth ÷ cog teeth.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good cycling cadence?
80–95 rpm for most road riders; beginners often pedal 60–70.
Why does tyre width matter?
Wider tyres increase the wheel's outer diameter and circumference.
What is the ISO bead seat diameter?
The standard rim measurement, e.g. 622 mm for 700c.
How do I measure my circumference exactly?
Roll the wheel one turn with your weight on it and measure.