The Cooper 1.5 Mile Run/Walk Test is a popular way to check your aerobic fitness and estimate your VO2 max. This calculator will help you understand the test, do it correctly, and use the results to measure your fitness levels.
Use our 1.5-mile VO2 Max Calculator to easily turn your 1.5-mile run/walk time into an estimated VO2 max value. Regularly taking part in these tests not only helps track your progress but also keeps you motivated to improve your overall health and fitness.
What Is The Cooper 1.5 Mile Run/Walk Test?
The Cooper 1.5 Mile Run Test is a simple and effective way to assess your aerobic fitness. Developed by Dr. Kenneth Cooper, this test measures the time it takes you to run or walk 1.5 miles. The results give you an estimate of your VO2 max, which indicates how efficiently your body uses oxygen during exercise.
This test is widely used because it is easy to perform and provides valuable insights into your cardiovascular health.
How Do I Perform The Cooper 1.5 Mile Test?
Here’s how to properly prepare for and execute the Cooper 1.5 Mile Run Test to assess your aerobic fitness.
Equipment Needed
- Timing Device: A stopwatch or timer.
- Measuring Device: A GPS watch, treadmill with distance tracking, or a pre-measured track.
- Appropriate Footwear and Clothing: Comfortable running shoes and breathable athletic wear.
- Water Bottle: For hydration before and after the test.
Procedure & Norms
By following specific procedures, you can accurately estimate your VO2 max based on the time it takes to complete the distance.
- Location: Perform the test on a 400-meter track or a measured flat route.
- Warm-Up: Spend 5-10 minutes warming up.
- Start the Test: Begin running or walking as soon as the timer starts.
- Monitor Pace: Maintain a steady pace.
- Record Time: Note the total time taken to complete 1.5 miles.
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Cooper 1.5 Mile Test Results Ranking
The Cooper 1.5 Mile Fitness Test provides valuable insights into cardiovascular fitness through time rankings. Below are the results categorized by gender.
Cooper 1.5 Mile Test Results for Males
- Excellent: Under 10:30
- Good: 10:30 – 11:30
- Average: 11:30 – 12:30
- Fair: 12:30 – 13:30
- Poor: Over 13:30
Cooper 1.5 Mile Test Results for Females
- Excellent: Under 12:00
- Good: 12:00 – 13:00
- Average: 13:00 – 14:00
- Fair: 14:00 – 15:00
- Poor: Over 15:00
Percentile Ranks for 1.5 Mile Run/Walk Time
Understanding your fitness level can be achieved through various methods, and the Cooper 1.5 Mile Run/Walk Test for VO2 max is a widely recognized assessment for evaluating cardiovascular fitness. The test measures how long it takes to complete a 1.5-mile distance, with the results ranked according to percentiles.
A percentile rank indicates the percentage of test participants who score below a particular time. For example, a 90th percentile rank means you have performed better than 90% of the individuals in your age and gender group.
1.5 Mile Run/Walk Percentile Ranks for Men
Age (years) |
90th Percentile |
80th Percentile |
70th Percentile |
60th Percentile |
50th Percentile |
40th Percentile |
30th Percentile |
20th Percentile |
10th Percentile |
20–29 |
9:34 |
10:08 |
10:49 |
11:27 |
11:58 |
12:29 |
13:08 |
13:58 |
15:14 |
30–39 |
9:52 |
10:38 |
11:09 |
11:49 |
12:25 |
12:53 |
13:48 |
14:33 |
15:56 |
40–49 |
10:09 |
11:09 |
11:52 |
12:25 |
13:05 |
13:50 |
14:33 |
15:32 |
17:04 |
50–59 |
11:09 |
12:08 |
12:53 |
13:53 |
14:33 |
15:14 |
16:16 |
17:30 |
19:24 |
60–69 |
12:10 |
13:25 |
14:33 |
15:20 |
16:19 |
17:19 |
18:39 |
20:13 |
23:27 |
1.5 Mile Run/Walk Percentile Ranks for Women
Age (years) |
90th Percentile |
80th Percentile |
70th Percentile |
60th Percentile |
50th Percentile |
40th Percentile |
30th Percentile |
20th Percentile |
10th Percentile |
20–29 |
10:59 |
11:56 |
12:51 |
13:25 |
14:15 |
15:05 |
15:56 |
17:11 |
18:39 |
30–39 |
11:43 |
12:53 |
13:41 |
14:33 |
15:14 |
15:56 |
16:46 |
18:18 |
20:13 |
40–49 |
12:25 |
13:38 |
14:33 |
15:17 |
16:13 |
17:11 |
18:26 |
19:43 |
21:52 |
50–59 |
13:58 |
15:14 |
16:26 |
17:19 |
18:05 |
19:10 |
20:17 |
21:57 |
23:55 |
60–69 |
15:32 |
16:46 |
18:05 |
18:52 |
20:08 |
20:55 |
22:34 |
23:55 |
26:32 |
VO2 Max Percentiles
Understanding your VO2 max can help you gauge your aerobic fitness level. Here are VO2 max percentile values, which indicate how your VO2 max compares to others in your age and gender group.
VO2 Max Percentiles for Men
Age Group |
5th Percentile |
10th Percentile |
25th Percentile |
50th Percentile |
75th Percentile |
90th Percentile |
95th Percentile |
20-29 |
29.0 |
32.1 |
40.1 |
48.0 |
55.2 |
61.8 |
66.3 |
30-39 |
27.2 |
30.2 |
35.9 |
42.4 |
49.2 |
56.5 |
59.8 |
40-49 |
24.2 |
26.8 |
31.9 |
37.8 |
45.0 |
52.1 |
55.6 |
50-59 |
20.9 |
22.8 |
27.1 |
32.6 |
39.7 |
45.6 |
50.7 |
60-69 |
17.4 |
19.8 |
23.7 |
28.2 |
34.5 |
40.3 |
43.0 |
70-79 |
16.3 |
17.1 |
20.4 |
24.4 |
30.4 |
36.6 |
39.7 |
VO2 Max Percentiles for Women
Age Group |
5th Percentile |
10th Percentile |
25th Percentile |
50th Percentile |
75th Percentile |
90th Percentile |
95th Percentile |
20-29 |
21.7 |
23.9 |
30.5 |
37.6 |
44.7 |
51.3 |
56.0 |
30-39 |
19.0 |
20.9 |
25.3 |
30.2 |
36.1 |
41.4 |
45.8 |
40-49 |
17.0 |
18.8 |
22.1 |
26.7 |
32.4 |
38.4 |
41.7 |
50-59 |
16.0 |
17.3 |
19.9 |
23.4 |
27.6 |
32.0 |
35.9 |
60-69 |
13.4 |
14.6 |
17.2 |
20.0 |
23.8 |
27.0 |
29.4 |
70-79 |
13.1 |
13.6 |
15.6 |
18.3 |
20.8 |
23.1 |
24.1 |
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Cooper 1.5 Mile Run/Walk Test Advantages
- Simple and Accessible: Easy to perform with minimal equipment required.
- Time-Efficient: Takes only 1.5 miles to complete.
- No Special Equipment Needed: This can be conducted on any flat, open surface.
- Objective Measurement: Provides a clear, quantifiable measure of cardiovascular endurance based on time taken.
- Comparative Analysis: Results can be easily compared to age and gender norms.
- Versatile Application: Useful for athletes, military personnel, and general fitness enthusiasts.
- Encourages Motivation: Serves as a goal-setting tool, encouraging individuals to improve their performance.
- Supports Training Plans: Helps identify areas for improvement, guiding effective training regimens.
Calculating VO2 Max Using the Cooper 1.5 Mile Test Results
To estimate your VO2 max from the results of the Cooper 1.5 Mile Run/Walk Test, you can use a specific formula based on the time it takes you to complete the distance. This formula incorporates the time you took to complete 1.5 miles to provide a personalized estimate of your aerobic fitness level.
Formula:
VO2 max = 483 / Test completion time (minutes) + 3.5
Time: Record the time taken to complete the 1.5 miles in minutes.
This estimate helps you understand your cardiovascular fitness and can be useful for tracking progress over time or adjusting your training regimen accordingly.
A Word from Dr Workout
The Cooper 1.5 Mile Run/Walk Test is an outstanding tool for evaluating your cardiovascular fitness and estimating your VO2 max. By using this simple yet effective test, you can easily set realistic fitness goals and monitor your progress over time.
It provides valuable insights into your health, allowing you to customize your training program and steadily improve your endurance. Incorporating this test into your fitness routine ensures you stay motivated and consistently move toward achieving optimal health and peak performance.