Every figure comes from the formula in our saddle height calculator, so they match it to the millimeter. Saddle height is measured from the center of the bottom bracket spindle to the top of the saddle, along the line of the seat tube. Measure your inseam barefoot, with a book pressed up firmly between your legs, from the spine of the book to the floor.
Recommended saddle height
| Inseam | 165 mm cranks | 170 mm cranks | 172.5 mm cranks | 175 mm cranks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27.0 in (68.6 cm) | 23.5 in (59.7 cm) | 23.3 in (59.2 cm) | 23.2 in (58.9 cm) | 23.1 in (58.7 cm) |
| 27.5 in (69.9 cm) | 24.0 in (60.9 cm) | 23.8 in (60.4 cm) | 23.7 in (60.2 cm) | 23.6 in (59.9 cm) |
| 28.0 in (71.1 cm) | 24.5 in (62.2 cm) | 24.3 in (61.7 cm) | 24.2 in (61.4 cm) | 24.1 in (61.2 cm) |
| 28.5 in (72.4 cm) | 25.0 in (63.4 cm) | 24.8 in (62.9 cm) | 24.7 in (62.7 cm) | 24.6 in (62.4 cm) |
| 29.0 in (73.7 cm) | 25.5 in (64.7 cm) | 25.3 in (64.2 cm) | 25.2 in (63.9 cm) | 25.1 in (63.7 cm) |
| 29.5 in (74.9 cm) | 26.0 in (65.9 cm) | 25.8 in (65.4 cm) | 25.7 in (65.2 cm) | 25.6 in (64.9 cm) |
| 30.0 in (76.2 cm) | 26.4 in (67.2 cm) | 26.2 in (66.7 cm) | 26.2 in (66.4 cm) | 26.1 in (66.2 cm) |
| 30.5 in (77.5 cm) | 26.9 in (68.4 cm) | 26.7 in (67.9 cm) | 26.6 in (67.7 cm) | 26.5 in (67.4 cm) |
| 31.0 in (78.7 cm) | 27.4 in (69.7 cm) | 27.2 in (69.2 cm) | 27.1 in (68.9 cm) | 27.0 in (68.7 cm) |
| 31.5 in (80.0 cm) | 27.9 in (70.9 cm) | 27.7 in (70.4 cm) | 27.6 in (70.2 cm) | 27.5 in (69.9 cm) |
| 32.0 in (81.3 cm) | 28.4 in (72.2 cm) | 28.2 in (71.7 cm) | 28.1 in (71.4 cm) | 28.0 in (71.2 cm) |
| 32.5 in (82.6 cm) | 28.9 in (73.4 cm) | 28.7 in (72.9 cm) | 28.6 in (72.7 cm) | 28.5 in (72.4 cm) |
| 33.0 in (83.8 cm) | 29.4 in (74.7 cm) | 29.2 in (74.2 cm) | 29.1 in (73.9 cm) | 29.0 in (73.7 cm) |
| 33.5 in (85.1 cm) | 29.9 in (75.9 cm) | 29.7 in (75.4 cm) | 29.6 in (75.2 cm) | 29.5 in (74.9 cm) |
| 34.0 in (86.4 cm) | 30.4 in (77.2 cm) | 30.2 in (76.7 cm) | 30.1 in (76.4 cm) | 30.0 in (76.2 cm) |
| 34.5 in (87.6 cm) | 30.9 in (78.4 cm) | 30.7 in (77.9 cm) | 30.6 in (77.7 cm) | 30.5 in (77.4 cm) |
| 35.0 in (88.9 cm) | 31.4 in (79.7 cm) | 31.2 in (79.2 cm) | 31.1 in (78.9 cm) | 31.0 in (78.7 cm) |
| 35.5 in (90.2 cm) | 31.9 in (81.0 cm) | 31.7 in (80.5 cm) | 31.6 in (80.2 cm) | 31.5 in (80.0 cm) |
| 36.0 in (91.4 cm) | 32.4 in (82.2 cm) | 32.2 in (81.7 cm) | 32.1 in (81.5 cm) | 32.0 in (81.2 cm) |
| 36.5 in (92.7 cm) | 32.9 in (83.5 cm) | 32.7 in (83.0 cm) | 32.6 in (82.7 cm) | 32.5 in (82.5 cm) |
| 37.0 in (94.0 cm) | 33.4 in (84.7 cm) | 33.2 in (84.2 cm) | 33.1 in (84.0 cm) | 33.0 in (83.7 cm) |
This is the average of the two classic methods. Treat it as a starting point and move the saddle up to 0.4 in (1 cm) up or down until your knee is bent 25 to 35 degrees with the pedal at the bottom of the stroke, the range Holmes and colleagues proposed in 1994 to prevent overuse injuries.
LeMond method (inseam × 0.883)
| Inseam | 165 mm cranks | 170 mm cranks | 172.5 mm cranks | 175 mm cranks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27.0 in (68.6 cm) | 24.0 in (61.1 cm) | 23.8 in (60.6 cm) | 23.7 in (60.3 cm) | 23.6 in (60.1 cm) |
| 27.5 in (69.9 cm) | 24.5 in (62.2 cm) | 24.3 in (61.7 cm) | 24.2 in (61.4 cm) | 24.1 in (61.2 cm) |
| 28.0 in (71.1 cm) | 24.9 in (63.3 cm) | 24.7 in (62.8 cm) | 24.6 in (62.5 cm) | 24.5 in (62.3 cm) |
| 28.5 in (72.4 cm) | 25.4 in (64.4 cm) | 25.2 in (63.9 cm) | 25.1 in (63.7 cm) | 25.0 in (63.4 cm) |
| 29.0 in (73.7 cm) | 25.8 in (65.5 cm) | 25.6 in (65.0 cm) | 25.5 in (64.8 cm) | 25.4 in (64.5 cm) |
| 29.5 in (74.9 cm) | 26.2 in (66.7 cm) | 26.0 in (66.2 cm) | 26.0 in (65.9 cm) | 25.9 in (65.7 cm) |
| 30.0 in (76.2 cm) | 26.7 in (67.8 cm) | 26.5 in (67.3 cm) | 26.4 in (67.0 cm) | 26.3 in (66.8 cm) |
| 30.5 in (77.5 cm) | 27.1 in (68.9 cm) | 26.9 in (68.4 cm) | 26.8 in (68.2 cm) | 26.7 in (67.9 cm) |
| 31.0 in (78.7 cm) | 27.6 in (70.0 cm) | 27.4 in (69.5 cm) | 27.3 in (69.3 cm) | 27.2 in (69.0 cm) |
| 31.5 in (80.0 cm) | 28.0 in (71.1 cm) | 27.8 in (70.6 cm) | 27.7 in (70.4 cm) | 27.6 in (70.1 cm) |
| 32.0 in (81.3 cm) | 28.5 in (72.3 cm) | 28.3 in (71.8 cm) | 28.2 in (71.5 cm) | 28.1 in (71.3 cm) |
| 32.5 in (82.6 cm) | 28.9 in (73.4 cm) | 28.7 in (72.9 cm) | 28.6 in (72.6 cm) | 28.5 in (72.4 cm) |
| 33.0 in (83.8 cm) | 29.3 in (74.5 cm) | 29.1 in (74.0 cm) | 29.0 in (73.8 cm) | 28.9 in (73.5 cm) |
| 33.5 in (85.1 cm) | 29.8 in (75.6 cm) | 29.6 in (75.1 cm) | 29.5 in (74.9 cm) | 29.4 in (74.6 cm) |
| 34.0 in (86.4 cm) | 30.2 in (76.8 cm) | 30.0 in (76.3 cm) | 29.9 in (76.0 cm) | 29.8 in (75.8 cm) |
| 34.5 in (87.6 cm) | 30.7 in (77.9 cm) | 30.5 in (77.4 cm) | 30.4 in (77.1 cm) | 30.3 in (76.9 cm) |
| 35.0 in (88.9 cm) | 31.1 in (79.0 cm) | 30.9 in (78.5 cm) | 30.8 in (78.2 cm) | 30.7 in (78.0 cm) |
| 35.5 in (90.2 cm) | 31.5 in (80.1 cm) | 31.3 in (79.6 cm) | 31.2 in (79.4 cm) | 31.1 in (79.1 cm) |
| 36.0 in (91.4 cm) | 32.0 in (81.2 cm) | 31.8 in (80.7 cm) | 31.7 in (80.5 cm) | 31.6 in (80.2 cm) |
| 36.5 in (92.7 cm) | 32.4 in (82.4 cm) | 32.2 in (81.9 cm) | 32.1 in (81.6 cm) | 32.0 in (81.4 cm) |
| 37.0 in (94.0 cm) | 32.9 in (83.5 cm) | 32.7 in (83.0 cm) | 32.6 in (82.7 cm) | 32.5 in (82.5 cm) |
Greg LeMond popularized multiplying your inseam by 0.883, a rule designed for 170 mm cranks. For other crank lengths we correct for the difference: with a crank 5 mm shorter, the saddle goes up 5 mm.
109 % method (Hamley and Thomas)
| Inseam | 165 mm cranks | 170 mm cranks | 172.5 mm cranks | 175 mm cranks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27.0 in (68.6 cm) | 22.9 in (58.3 cm) | 22.7 in (57.8 cm) | 22.6 in (57.5 cm) | 22.5 in (57.3 cm) |
| 27.5 in (69.9 cm) | 23.5 in (59.6 cm) | 23.3 in (59.1 cm) | 23.2 in (58.9 cm) | 23.1 in (58.6 cm) |
| 28.0 in (71.1 cm) | 24.0 in (61.0 cm) | 23.8 in (60.5 cm) | 23.7 in (60.3 cm) | 23.6 in (60.0 cm) |
| 28.5 in (72.4 cm) | 24.6 in (62.4 cm) | 24.4 in (61.9 cm) | 24.3 in (61.7 cm) | 24.2 in (61.4 cm) |
| 29.0 in (73.7 cm) | 25.1 in (63.8 cm) | 24.9 in (63.3 cm) | 24.8 in (63.0 cm) | 24.7 in (62.8 cm) |
| 29.5 in (74.9 cm) | 25.7 in (65.2 cm) | 25.5 in (64.7 cm) | 25.4 in (64.4 cm) | 25.3 in (64.2 cm) |
| 30.0 in (76.2 cm) | 26.2 in (66.6 cm) | 26.0 in (66.1 cm) | 25.9 in (65.8 cm) | 25.8 in (65.6 cm) |
| 30.5 in (77.5 cm) | 26.7 in (67.9 cm) | 26.6 in (67.4 cm) | 26.5 in (67.2 cm) | 26.4 in (66.9 cm) |
| 31.0 in (78.7 cm) | 27.3 in (69.3 cm) | 27.1 in (68.8 cm) | 27.0 in (68.6 cm) | 26.9 in (68.3 cm) |
| 31.5 in (80.0 cm) | 27.8 in (70.7 cm) | 27.6 in (70.2 cm) | 27.5 in (70.0 cm) | 27.4 in (69.7 cm) |
| 32.0 in (81.3 cm) | 28.4 in (72.1 cm) | 28.2 in (71.6 cm) | 28.1 in (71.3 cm) | 28.0 in (71.1 cm) |
| 32.5 in (82.6 cm) | 28.9 in (73.5 cm) | 28.7 in (73.0 cm) | 28.6 in (72.7 cm) | 28.5 in (72.5 cm) |
| 33.0 in (83.8 cm) | 29.5 in (74.9 cm) | 29.3 in (74.4 cm) | 29.2 in (74.1 cm) | 29.1 in (73.9 cm) |
| 33.5 in (85.1 cm) | 30.0 in (76.2 cm) | 29.8 in (75.7 cm) | 29.7 in (75.5 cm) | 29.6 in (75.2 cm) |
| 34.0 in (86.4 cm) | 30.6 in (77.6 cm) | 30.4 in (77.1 cm) | 30.3 in (76.9 cm) | 30.2 in (76.6 cm) |
| 34.5 in (87.6 cm) | 31.1 in (79.0 cm) | 30.9 in (78.5 cm) | 30.8 in (78.3 cm) | 30.7 in (78.0 cm) |
| 35.0 in (88.9 cm) | 31.7 in (80.4 cm) | 31.5 in (79.9 cm) | 31.4 in (79.7 cm) | 31.3 in (79.4 cm) |
| 35.5 in (90.2 cm) | 32.2 in (81.8 cm) | 32.0 in (81.3 cm) | 31.9 in (81.0 cm) | 31.8 in (80.8 cm) |
| 36.0 in (91.4 cm) | 32.7 in (83.2 cm) | 32.5 in (82.7 cm) | 32.4 in (82.4 cm) | 32.4 in (82.2 cm) |
| 36.5 in (92.7 cm) | 33.3 in (84.6 cm) | 33.1 in (84.1 cm) | 33.0 in (83.8 cm) | 32.9 in (83.6 cm) |
| 37.0 in (94.0 cm) | 33.8 in (85.9 cm) | 33.6 in (85.4 cm) | 33.5 in (85.2 cm) | 33.4 in (84.9 cm) |
In 1967 Hamley and Thomas found that power output peaked when the distance from the saddle to the pedal at the bottom was 109 % of inseam. To convert that to our measurement, which stops at the bottom bracket spindle, we subtract the crank length. This method gives lower saddles than LeMond for short inseams and higher ones from about 32.3 in (82 cm) up.
How to read it if your case isn’t listed
- Shoes and pedals. The formula assumes about 15 mm from the sole of your foot to the pedal spindle, typical of a road shoe and clipless pedal. If your setup is thicker, raise the saddle by the difference; if it’s thinner, lower it. The calculator makes that correction if you enter your stack height.
- Inseam between rows. Each extra inch of inseam adds 0.99 in (2.5 cm) of saddle height: with a 32.25 in inseam, add 1/4 in (6 mm) to the 32 in value.
- Cranks of 160 mm or shorter. Same logic: about 5 mm more saddle height for every 5 mm less crank compared with the 165 mm column. If you’re not sure which crank length suits you, see the crank length chart.
- Big changes. If your current saddle is more than 0.8 in (2 cm) off the chart, move it 5 mm per ride so your knees can adapt.
The full explanation of the methods, including the heel method and the signs of a saddle that’s too high or too low, is in our saddle height guide. To dial in your height with knee angle, setback and cleats, follow the DIY bike fit. And if you don’t have the bike yet, start with the bike size chart by height.
Frequently asked questions
How high should my saddle be with a 32 inch inseam?
With 172.5 mm cranks, 28.1 in (71.4 cm) from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the saddle. With 170 mm cranks, 28.2 in (71.7 cm). From there, adjust up to 0.4 in (1 cm) either way based on your knee angle.
How much does saddle height change if I switch crank length?
By the same amount as the crank, in the opposite direction: going from 172.5 to 165 mm cranks, the saddle goes up 7.5 mm so your leg reaches the same extension at the bottom. You can see it in any row: about 5 mm more saddle for every 5 mm less crank.
Which method is better, LeMond or 109 %?
They give almost the same result: for inseams around 32 in (81-83 cm) they differ by less than 3 mm. With shorter legs LeMond gives a higher saddle, and with longer legs the 109 % method does. That's why we recommend the average and checking your knee angle.
Sources
- Hamley EJ, Thomas V (1967). Physiological and postural factors in the calibration of the bicycle ergometer. Journal of Physiology 191(2)
- LeMond G, Gordis K (1987). Greg LeMond's Complete Book of Bicycling. Putnam
- Holmes JC, Pruitt AL, Whalen NJ (1994). Lower extremity overuse in bicycling. Clinics in Sports Medicine 13(1)