WHOOP VO2max: how it works.
A passive model uses resting physiology during sleep, activity volume and intensity, sleep habits and profile data. An outdoor run with phone GPS adds pace vs heart rate, and a lab result you enter can anchor future estimates.
What counts towards your VO2max
Estimated from: Outdoor run, All-day data.
What you need to do
At least 14 recoveries (sleeps) in the last 21 days. Optional: a 15+ min outdoor run with Track Route on (in the last 90 days) and an up-to-date weight.
How it is shown
Number in mL/kg/min with a weekly trend, updated on Tuesdays; ranked against people of your age and sex. Can be added to the home dashboard.
Related features
- Fitness age: not confirmed
- Race predictor: not confirmed
- Recovery
- Strain
- Sleep
- Heart rate zones
- Healthspan / WHOOP Age (Peak and Life memberships; VO2 Max is one input)
Models
WHOOP 5.0 · WHOOP MG
How accurate is it?
We found no published, peer-reviewed validation of this estimate. Watch estimates in general are reasonable for groups but can be several points off for individuals — see how accurate watch VO2max is.
WHOOP has no built-in GPS; runs use the phone's GPS. WHOOP's own testing (248 lab treadmill tests, not peer reviewed): passive model MAE 3.7 mL/kg/min, MAPE 8.0%, r 0.90; GPS-augmented MAE 3.3, MAPE 7.1%, r 0.91. Lab VO2 Max can be entered manually in Trends. The WHOOP One membership page lists VO2 Max with the 5.0 device. whoop.com blocks automated fetches; WHOOP pages were read via Web Archive copies from June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How does WHOOP calculate VO2max?
A passive model uses resting physiology during sleep, activity volume and intensity, sleep habits and profile data. An outdoor run with phone GPS adds pace vs heart rate, and a lab result you enter can anchor future estimates. At least 14 recoveries (sleeps) in the last 21 days. Optional: a 15+ min outdoor run with Track Route on (in the last 90 days) and an up-to-date weight.
How accurate is WHOOP VO2max?
We found no published, peer-reviewed validation study of the WHOOP estimate. Treat it as a trend tracker rather than a lab value.
Which WHOOP devices show VO2max?
Examples: WHOOP 5.0, WHOOP MG. Support depends on model and firmware.
Check your number against the norms for your age, estimate it with the VO2max calculator, or turn it into race times and paces.
Sources
- WHOOP The Locker: VO2 Max Estimate With WHOOP (May 2026, archived copy)
- WHOOP The Locker: How Accurate Is WHOOP VO₂ Max? (April 2026, archived copy)
- WHOOP One membership page (archived copy)
- WHOOP Support: Calibration Timeline (search excerpt only; page needs JavaScript)
WHOOP is a trademark of its owner. VO2max Health is independent and not affiliated with WHOOP. Features vary by model and firmware.