E-Bike Range Calculator
Estimate your electric bike's range in kilometres based on battery capacity, assist level, terrain, rider weight, and temperature. Use it before a ride to avoid running out of charge mid-route.
Last updated: September 2026
Formula below · 1 source (Wikipedia) · Updated Sep 2026
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About this calculator
E-bike range is primarily governed by how much energy the battery stores (Wh) and how much energy each kilometre takes. The formula used here is: Range = batteryCapacity × terrainFactor × tempFactor × (100 / riderWeight) / (assistLevel × 20). For a 100 kg system on mixed terrain, assistLevel × 20 is the consumption in Wh per km: about 6 Wh/km in Eco (0.3), 10 in Normal (0.5), 14 in Sport (0.7) and 18 in Turbo (0.9), in line with typical mid-drive range estimates. The terrain factor is 1.3 on flat roads, 1.0 mixed, 0.7 hilly and 0.5 mountainous; the temperature factor is 0.8 below 5 °C (cold reduces usable lithium-ion capacity) and 0.9 above 25 °C. Heavier riders draw more energy per kilometre, so weight appears as an inverse factor. Real range also depends on speed, tire pressure, wind and how much you pedal, so keep a reserve.
How to use
Suppose your e-bike has a 500 Wh battery, you ride in Normal mode (0.5), the terrain is hilly (factor 0.7), total rider + cargo weight is 90 kg, and the temperature is 15 °C (factor 1.0). Range = 500 × 0.7 × 1.0 × (100 / 90) / (0.5 × 20) = 500 × 0.7 × 1.111 / 10 ≈ 38.9 km. Switching to Eco (0.3) raises that to about 64.8 km, while Turbo (0.9) cuts it to about 21.6 km.
Frequently asked questions
How does cold weather affect electric bike battery range?
Lithium-ion batteries lose capacity in cold temperatures because lower temperatures slow the electrochemical reactions inside the cells. At around 0 °C, you can expect roughly 15–20% less range than at room temperature; below −10 °C, losses can reach 30–40%. Keeping your battery indoors overnight before a winter ride and using an insulating battery cover can partially mitigate this. Always plan for reduced range in cold conditions and charge to 100% before setting out.
What assist level gives the best balance between e-bike range and riding effort?
Mid-level assist (typically 30–50% on most systems) offers the best balance for most riders. At full (high) assist, the motor carries most of the load and range can be halved compared to eco/low mode. At no or minimal assist, range is maximised but you lose the primary benefit of an e-bike on hills. For long-distance touring, experienced e-bike riders often use eco mode on flat sections and boost to mid or high only for climbs, extending total range by 20–35% compared to riding at constant high assist.
Why does rider weight significantly change e-bike range?
The motor must overcome both rolling resistance and gravity, both of which scale directly with total system weight (rider + bike + cargo). A heavier rider requires more current draw from the battery per kilometre, especially on inclines. This is captured in the range formula as a (100 / riderWeight) factor — the heavier you are relative to 100 kg, the lower the range output, and the lighter, the higher. Reducing cargo weight, using a lighter bike, or choosing a larger-capacity battery are the most practical ways for heavier riders to maintain adequate range.