Saddle height calculator
This saddle height calculator estimates a starting bike fit from your inseam using two classic rule-of-thumb methods, LeMond and Hamley. Enter your inseam length in centimetres and get both estimates plus a comfortable range to fine-tune from, a fast starting point before making small adjustments by feel on the bike, whether you're setting up a new frame or just checking an existing fit.
Saddle height (LeMond, from bottom-bracket centre)
75.1cm
Expect a comfortable range between 74.1 and 76.1 cm around the LeMond figure, depending on shoes, cleats and flexibility.
How it works
The LeMond method, popularised by three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, multiplies inseam by 0.883 to estimate the distance from the bottom bracket centre to the top of the saddle, measured along the seat tube.
The Hamley method, from British Cycling research, multiplies inseam by 1.09 to estimate the distance from the pedal axle, at the bottom of the stroke, to the top of the saddle. That distance is longer than LeMond's because it starts lower, at the pedal axle rather than the bottom-bracket centre, and effectively folds in crank length, so the two figures describe different points on the bike and are not meant to be averaged or compared directly.
Both are rules of thumb built from population averages, not a personalised bike fit. They give a solid, safe starting height; leg length, flexibility, pedalling style and shoe or cleat stack height all shift the ideal height a little from there.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure my inseam for saddle height?
Stand barefoot against a wall with a book pulled up snugly into your crotch, then measure from the floor to the top edge of the book. That inseam length in centimetres is what both the LeMond and Hamley formulas use here.
Which saddle height method is more accurate?
Neither is definitively more accurate, since they measure from different reference points: LeMond starts at the bottom-bracket centre, Hamley starts lower at the pedal axle at the bottom of the stroke, which is why Hamley's number is always higher for the same inseam. Use the LeMond figure as your primary target and treat Hamley as a separate reference rather than a cross-check.
How do I know if my saddle is too low or too high?
Too low often shows as knee pain at the front and a feeling of pedalling in a squat. Too high often causes hips rocking side to side and pain at the back of the knee. Small half-centimetre adjustments from this estimate, tested over a few rides, usually find a comfortable spot.
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