How to Calculate Distance Using a Pedometer

A pedometer is a device that counts the number of steps that you take. People who walk or run for exercise often use pedometers to track their workouts. Others use pedometers to measure how many steps they take during other ordinary activities throughout the day. You can use a pedometer to figure out how far you have traveled, figuring out distance by making some simple calculations.

Things You'll Need

  • Pedometer
  • Calculator
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Instructions

    • 1

      Walk or run across an area in which you know the exact distance. For instance, you might walk along a driveway that you know is 20 feet long. Begin with your toe at the starting point, and walk or run until your toe reaches the ending point.

    • 2

      Keep track of the number of steps you take as you walk or run.

    • 3

      Divide the distance your traveled by the number of steps you took to find your average stride. For instance, if you traveled 20 feet and took 10 steps, the average length of your stride would be 2 feet.

    • 4

      Walk or run an undetermined distance while recording your steps with a pedometer.

    • 5

      Multiply the number of steps recorded by the pedometer by the average length of your stride to figure out your total distance. For instance, if you took 2,640 steps and your average stride is 2 feet long, multiply 2,640 by 2 to get 5,280.

    • 6

      Convert your distance to miles if you wish. In order to do this, divide your total distance in feet by 5,280 (the number of feet in a mile). For this example, you would divide 5,280 feet by 5,280 feet to get a distance of 1 mile.