Standing Long Jump Calculator & Norms by Age and Sex

A standing long jump, or broad jump, is a two-foot takeoff from a stationary line. Its distance is useful for comparing repeat attempts under the same method. Population comparisons need an age, sex and test-specific source; a running long jump mark is a different test.

Standing long jump reference values for ages 6–18

The table gives selected 10th, 50th (median) and 90th percentiles, in centimetres, from Thomas and colleagues’ sample of 2,140 children and adolescents from seven European countries. Ages are individual years. These are observed reference distributions, not pass marks or health thresholds.

Source: Thomas E et al. (2020), “Percentile values of the standing broad jump in children and adolescents aged 6–18 years old,” European Journal of Translational Myology 30(2), Tables 2 and 3. These figures are selected from the published tables; they are not the mixed “poor/average/excellent” categories previously shown here. The sample included schools and sports centres and excluded children unable to perform the task or with conditions that could affect the jump. The authors caution that this sample is not representative of the whole European population. This was a cross-sectional study: differences between age groups do not track how an individual develops over time.

How to test and measure

1. Use a flat, hard, non-slip surface and mark a clear starting line. Stand with feet parallel and heels at the line.
2. Jump forward from both feet. Arm swing and a self-chosen countermovement are allowed in the source protocol.
3. Land with both feet and hold the landing without stepping forward. Measure from the starting line to the heel closest to it.
4. To match the source study, allow five minutes of rest between each of three valid attempts. Measure in centimetres and record the best distance.

Keep the same surface, footwear, warm-up, rules and measuring point if you retest. A stumble or step after landing changes the measurement; repeat an invalid attempt rather than assigning it a distance.

Using the numbers

At age 16, the median in this sample was 180 cm for boys and 131 cm for girls. A person’s result can be placed against the corresponding row, but nearby values should not be given a precise label. Jump distance reflects strength, coordination, technique, body size and testing conditions. One score does not diagnose fitness or predict sport performance.

Adult averages: This youth study ends at 18. It cannot support the former 20–39, 40–59 or 60+ “average” bands, so those estimates have been removed. For adults, compare repeat measurements under a consistent method or use a reference from a population that matches the person tested. Do not substitute running long jump records for standing test norms.

Related standing long jump resources

For professional testing, standardise the protocol before comparing results between people or across time. Explore our professional fitness assessment tools and power testing resources for related methods.