A method and a device for obtaining a predictive vertical speed of a rotorcraft, the device constituting a predictive vertical speed indicator (1) that includes at least: first elements (1′) for measuring the instantaneous vertical speed v of a rotorcraft; second elements (2) for measuring the instantaneous proper airspeed VP of a rotorcraft; and third elements (3) for calculating the predictive vertical speed vAP of a rotorcraft, the third elements being connected firstly to the first and second elements via respective first and second connections (l1, l2) and containing in memory predetermined values for the minimum-power speed VY and a characteristic constant k that are constants relating to the rotorcraft of a given type of rotorcraft.