Pole Vault Pole Selection Calculator

Pole weight rating from vaulter weight and grip height.

Vaulter weight

Vaulter height

Approach speed

m/s

Grip height

Target bar height

Experience level

Tab to move between fields

Recommended Pole Rating

170 lbs

≈ 8 car tires

Pole Rating (metric)77 kg

Recommended Pole Length17 ft

Pole Length (metric)5.18 m

Grip Height %78%

Max Theoretical Height3.32 m

Energy Ratio0.75

Kinetic Energy at Takeoff2,293 J

Required Potential Energy2,296 J

Energy Efficiency75%

Expected Pole Bend0.92 m

Recommended Flex Number14

Can ClearNo

How to Use This Calculator

Enter Vaulter weight, Vaulter height, and Approach speed.
Set Grip height, Target bar height, and Experience level.
Review the Recommended Pole Rating (lbs) result.
Use Pole Rating (metric) (kg) and Recommended Pole Length (ft) to inform your decision.

How the result changes with Vaulter weight

Vaulter weight: Body weight in kg. Pole ratings are based on max vaulter weight.
Vaulter height: Standing height for COM calculation.
Approach speed: Speed at the end of approach run (elite: 9-10 m/s).
Grip height: Height of top hand grip on the pole from bottom.
Target bar height: Bar height you want to clear.
Experience level: 1 = Beginner, 2 = Intermediate, 3 = Advanced/Elite.

Recommended Pole Rating: Recommended pole weight rating in pounds.
Pole Rating (metric): Pole weight rating converted to kilograms.
Recommended Pole Length: Recommended pole length in feet.
Pole Length (metric): Recommended pole length in metres.
Grip Height %: Grip position as percentage of pole length.
Max Theoretical Height: Maximum bar height achievable with current speed and efficiency.
Energy Ratio: Available energy / required energy (>1.0 means bar is achievable).
Kinetic Energy at Takeoff: Kinetic energy from approach run available for vault.
Required Potential Energy: Potential energy needed to raise COM to bar height.
Energy Efficiency: Estimated KE to PE conversion efficiency.
Expected Pole Bend: Estimated maximum pole bend depth.
Recommended Flex Number: Suggested pole flex number (lower = stiffer).

Identify Input Parameters
4 parameters
Vaulter weight = 75, Vaulter height = 1.78, Approach speed = 8.5, Grip height = 4 = 6 input(s) provided
Calculate Recommended Pole Rating
Recommended Pole Rating = round((weightLbs + ratingOffset) / 5) * 5
170 = 170
Calculate Pole Rating
Pole Rating = round(recommendedRatingLbs / 2.205)
77 = 77
Calculate Recommended Pole Length
Recommended Pole Length = round(recommendedPoleLengthFt * 2) / 2
17 = 17