How to Measure Miles with a Walking Pedometer

Pedometers measure the number of steps you travel. Determining the length of your stride allows you to calculate the distance you travel while walking with a pedometer. Two methods determine the length of your stride. One measures the exact distance you travel in one step, and the other uses a mathematical average to determine the distance of your stride. The method you use will depend on the accuracy needed for your measured mile.

Things You'll Need

  • Pencil
  • Tape measure
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stand against a wall with the heels of your feet tight against the wall.

    • 2

      Take one normal step away from the wall with your left foot. Mark the location of your heel on the ground with a pencil.

    • 3

      Measure the distance from the wall to the heal mark you made on the ground. Multiple the number of feet in a mile -- 5,280 -- by 12 inches for a total of 63,360 inches. Divide 63,360 by the measured length to determine the number of your steps in a mile. For example, 63,360 divided by a measurement of 30 inches equals 2,112 steps. Therefore, the 2,112 steps displayed on the pedometer would equal one mile.

    • 4

      Multiply your height -- in feet -- by 0.413 for a female or 0.415 for a male to determine your average stride if you do not have a tape measure. For example, a male 6 feet tall times 0.415 equals 2.49 feet. Multiply 2.49 by 12 -- to convert feet to inches -- for 29.88 or 30 inches. Enter the number in the pedometer.