How to Calculate Walking Speed

If you'd like to know how fast you're going when you walk, here's a quick way to estimate your walking speed. Each person's stride length will vary, which affects the exact speed, but this method will give you a good estimation of your speed.

Things You'll Need

  • Good fitness shoes
  • Comfortable clothing
  • Watch with second hand
  • Mental math skills or calculator
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Instructions

    • 1

      After your warm up, get to and maintain your usual comfortable walking speed. Using the watch, count the number of steps you take in 15 seconds.

    • 2

      At the end of 15 seconds, multiply your total steps times 4. This will give you your total steps per minute.

    • 3

      Here is your approximate speed. If you took 75 steps per minute, your speed was 2.5 miles per hour. If you took 100 steps, your speed was 3.0 miles per hour. If you took 115 steps per minute, your speed was 3.3 miles per hour, 125, your speed was 3.5 miles per hour, and 135 steps, your speed is 4.0 miles per hour.

    • 4

      Another simple way to calculate your miles per hour is to use a treadmill that calculates speed. Many have this feature, as well as other features, that show distance, calories burned, and more.

    • 5

      A pedometer is a fun way to see how many steps you take per day. It is said that you should shoot for 10,000 steps per day for good fitness. Pedometers are available at sport and fitness stores and also through the link in the Resources section.