How to Use a Pedometer to Find Out How Many Feet Are in a Mile

A pedometer can measure the distance you walk by factoring in the length of your stride. For every step you take, the pedometer records one step. By measuring the length of your step, the pedometer can calculate the distance you have walked. You can also use the number of steps, in conjunction with your stride length, to find out or verify the number of feet in a mile.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the length of your stride. Do this by taking 10 natural steps and measuring the distance from the toe of your back foot on the first step to the toe of your front foot on the tenth step. Divide that measurement by 10 to calculate your average stride length. As an example, if you covered 30 feet in those 10 steps, then your average stride length is 3 feet.

    • 2

      Walk for exactly 1 mile on a premeasured course. This can be around a track or by using a GPS to confirm you covered 1 mile.

    • 3

      Read the number of steps taken on your pedometer.

    • 4

      Multiply the number of steps by the length of your stride. In the example, you should have recorded 1,760 steps, which would be 5,280 feet.