Health & Medicine · Fitness · Cardio & Endurance
Beep Test Score Calculator
Estimates VO2 max from your 20m multi-stage fitness (beep) test level and shuttle number.
Calculator
Formula
Where v is the running speed at the final completed shuttle (km/h) and a is the age of the participant (years). Speed at each level is calculated as: v = 8.5 + 0.5 × (level − 1). The result is expressed in mL/kg/min.
Source: Léger LA, Mercier D, Gadoury C, Lambert J. The multistage 20 metre shuttle run test for aerobic fitness. Journal of Sports Sciences. 1988;6(2):93-101.
How it works
The 20m beep test requires participants to run back and forth between two markers 20 metres apart, keeping pace with pre-recorded audio beeps. The beeps get progressively faster each level, and a participant's score is the last level and shuttle they successfully complete. The running speed at any given level is calculated as v = 8.5 + 0.5 × (level − 1) km/h, starting at 8.5 km/h at level 1 and increasing by 0.5 km/h each level.
The Léger et al. (1988) equation then estimates VO2 max from that speed and the participant's age: VO2max = 31.025 + 3.238v − 3.248a + 0.1536va, where v is the speed in km/h and a is age in years. This equation was derived from a large validation study and has a standard error of approximately 5.4 mL/kg/min against directly measured VO2 max.
The resulting VO2 max value is cross-referenced against age- and sex-specific normative tables to produce a fitness category from Poor to Excellent. These ratings are used across military, police, fire service, and elite sport selection processes worldwide.
Worked example
Example: A 25-year-old male reaches Level 10, Shuttle 6 in the beep test.
Step 1 — Calculate speed: v = 8.5 + 0.5 × (10 − 1) = 8.5 + 4.5 = 13.0 km/h
Step 2 — Apply Léger equation:
VO2max = 31.025 + 3.238 × 13.0 − 3.248 × 25 + 0.1536 × 13.0 × 25
= 31.025 + 42.094 − 81.2 + 49.92
= 41.8 mL/kg/min
Step 3 — Fitness rating: For a male aged 21–30, a VO2 max of 41.8 falls in the range 36–45, which corresponds to an Average fitness category (rating 3 out of 5).
Limitations & notes
The Léger equation estimates VO2 max from a field test and carries a standard error of ~5.4 mL/kg/min compared to direct laboratory measurement. Several factors can inflate or deflate the result: high ambient temperature, humidity, surface quality, footwear, and motivation all affect performance. The formula was originally validated on individuals aged 7–45, so extrapolation outside this range — particularly for older adults — reduces accuracy. The equation also assumes consistent pacing to the beep and does not account for running economy differences between individuals. This calculator is intended for fitness screening and goal-setting, not clinical diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good beep test score for my age?
It depends on both age and sex. For males aged 21–30, reaching Level 12 or above (VO2 max ≥ 56 mL/kg/min) is considered Excellent. For females in the same age group, Level 10 or above (VO2 max ≥ 49 mL/kg/min) is Excellent. Normative tables vary by source, but the categories used here follow established sports science references based on the Léger equation.
How many shuttles are there at each level?
The number of shuttles per level increases as the test progresses: Level 1 has 7 shuttles, Levels 2–3 have 8, Level 4–5 have 9, Levels 6–8 have 10, Levels 9–10 have 11, Levels 11–12 have 12, Levels 13–15 have 13, Levels 16–17 have 14, Levels 18–19 have 15, and Levels 20–21 have 16. The progressive increase in shuttles is designed to keep total running time at each level roughly consistent.
Is the beep test the same as the Yo-Yo test?
No. The 20m Multi-Stage Fitness Test (beep test) is a continuous maximal aerobic test developed by Léger et al. (1988). The Yo-Yo tests (Intermittent Recovery Test and Intermittent Endurance Test), developed by Jens Bangsbo, involve brief recovery periods between shuttles and better reflect repeated sprint capacity in team sports. Both use audio signals and 20m distances, but they measure different physiological qualities.
How accurate is the estimated VO2 max from the beep test?
The Léger equation has a reported standard error of approximately 5.4 mL/kg/min and a correlation of r = 0.84 with directly measured VO2 max (Léger et al., 1988). In practice, motivation, environmental conditions, and running economy introduce additional variability. Laboratory-based VO2 max testing via a metabolic cart remains the gold standard for precision, but the beep test provides a practical and sufficiently valid estimate for population screening.
What level do you need to pass the UK police or military fitness test?
Requirements vary by role and organisation. UK police forces generally require a minimum of Level 5, Shuttle 4 (approximately VO2 max 35 mL/kg/min) for standard constable roles, though firearms and specialist units require higher scores. The British Army infantry require Level 10.2 for males and Level 8.1 for females. Always check the current official requirements from the recruiting body, as standards are updated periodically.
Can I use this calculator for children?
The Léger equation was validated on individuals aged 7 to 45, so it can be applied to children in that range. However, VO2 max norms differ substantially for children compared to adults, and the fitness categories shown here reflect adult-oriented standards. For paediatric fitness assessment, use age-specific normative tables such as those from the Canadian Fitness Survey or EUROFIT standards rather than adult benchmarks.
Last updated: 2025-01-30 · Formula verified against primary sources.