Kinja reply

Think of a 21-speed mountain bike. A series of different gear sizes up front (3 rings) and on the rear wheel (7 rings) yield 21 possible ratios.

Now, instead of rings, think of the ratios in a CVT as a two cones facing each other. There is a belt in the middle. By moving the cones closer together, it “squeezes” the belt up, in to a larger diameter circle. Now, do the same thing at the other end of the gear box.

Instead of 21 speeds, you have (in theory) infinite ratios. But, they can’t handle a ton of power. And, auto manufacturers tend to program in fake “steps” so it feels like a regular gearbox with finite ratios.