VO2 Max Calculator
Estimate your VO2 max from the Cooper 12-minute run test.
The Cooper test estimates aerobic fitness, not medical VO2 max — it assumes a maximal, steady effort for the full 12 minutes on a flat surface. Consult a doctor before maximal-effort testing if you have any cardiovascular risk factors.
Estimated VO2 max
42.4 ml/kg/min
Cooper 12-minute run test
For informational and educational purposes only — not medical advice, and not a substitute for consulting a qualified professional about your specific situation. TrueMeasureKit is not liable for decisions made based on these results. See our Terms of Service.
What the Cooper test measures
VO2 max is the maximum rate at which your body can consume oxygen during intense exercise — a core measure of aerobic fitness, normally measured in a lab with a treadmill and a gas analyzer. Kenneth Cooper's 1968 field test approximates it from a single number: how far you can run in 12 minutes at maximum sustainable effort. Longer distances correlate with higher aerobic capacity, and the formula VO2 max = (distance in meters − 504.9) ÷ 44.73 converts that distance into the same ml/kg/min units used by lab testing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Cooper 12-minute test?
A standard fitness test where you cover as much distance as possible running or walking in exactly 12 minutes — the distance is then plugged into an established formula to estimate VO2 max, your body's maximum rate of oxygen use during intense exercise.
How does VO2 max relate to fitness level?
Higher VO2 max generally indicates better cardiovascular fitness and aerobic capacity. Typical values and what counts as "good" vary significantly by age and sex — elite endurance athletes can score dramatically above the general population.