Step calculator
Stride length calculator
Reviewed See sources
Short answer
Walking step length is about 0.415 × your height: 71 cm (28 in) at 170 cm, 62 cm at 150 cm and 79 cm at 190 cm. A full stride, left foot plus right, is twice that.
Stride length
How the calculation works
Formula
step length = 0.415 × height
orstep length = distance walked ÷ steps counted
There are two ways to get a step length. The quick one is the height rule: about 0.415 × height for walking, the same rule the step counter uses when you enter your height. The accurate one is to measure it: walk a known distance at your normal pace, count your steps and divide.
Words differ between apps. Strictly, a step is one foot landing and a stride is two steps. Most pedometers ask for "stride length" but mean one step, and every figure on this page is a single step unless it says otherwise.
Without any information the step counter assumes 0.75 m (30 in), which matches a height of about 181 cm.
Worked example: Measuring over 20 m
- Mark 20 m on a path and walk it at your normal pace, starting a few steps before the line.
- You count 27 steps. Step length = 20 ÷ 27 = 0.74 m (74 cm).
- That means 1,350 steps per km and 2,170 per mile. Repeat twice and average for a steadier figure.
Walking step length by height
Precomputed with the same formula as the calculator above.
| Height | Step length | Step (in) | Full stride | Steps per km | Steps per mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150 cm (4′11″) | 62 cm | 25 in | 125 cm | 1,610 | 2,590 |
| 155 cm (5′1″) | 64 cm | 25 in | 129 cm | 1,550 | 2,500 |
| 160 cm (5′3″) | 66 cm | 26 in | 133 cm | 1,510 | 2,420 |
| 165 cm (5′5″) | 68 cm | 27 in | 137 cm | 1,460 | 2,350 |
| 170 cm (5′7″) | 71 cm | 28 in | 141 cm | 1,420 | 2,280 |
| 175 cm (5′9″) | 73 cm | 29 in | 145 cm | 1,380 | 2,220 |
| 180 cm (5′11″) | 75 cm | 29 in | 149 cm | 1,340 | 2,150 |
| 185 cm (6′1″) | 77 cm | 30 in | 154 cm | 1,300 | 2,100 |
| 190 cm (6′3″) | 79 cm | 31 in | 158 cm | 1,270 | 2,040 |
| 195 cm (6′5″) | 81 cm | 32 in | 162 cm | 1,240 | 1,990 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average stride length?
For walking, about 0.75 m (30 in) per step for an adult, which is the default the step counter uses. By height it is roughly 66 cm at 160 cm and 75 cm at 180 cm.
What is the difference between step length and stride length?
Step length is the distance from one foot landing to the other foot landing. Stride length is two steps, from one foot landing to the same foot landing again. Pedometers usually ask for step length, even when they call it stride.
How do I measure my stride length?
Walk a measured distance, such as 20 m or one 400 m track lap, at your usual pace and count your steps. Divide the distance by the steps. Doing it two or three times and averaging gives a steadier result.
Does stride length change with speed?
Yes. People take longer steps as they walk faster, and much longer ones when running. The height rule fits ordinary walking, so measure separately if you want a running stride.
How do I use my stride length in the step counter?
Enter your height in the step counter's settings and it switches from the 0.75 m average to 0.415 × your height for every distance figure.
More step calculators
- Steps to km calculator10,000 steps ≈ 7.5 km. Add your height for your own step length.
- Miles to steps calculator1 mile ≈ 2,150 steps, from your height in ft/in or cm.
- Km to steps calculator1 km ≈ 1,330 steps. Personal figure from your height.
- Treadmill steps calculator30 min at 5 km/h ≈ 3,160 steps. Enter km/h or mph.
Step counts in km, miles and calories
Steps in a distance
Sources
- Tudor-Locke C et al., International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 2019Walking cadence (steps/min) and intensity in 21–40 year olds: CADENCE-adults(opens in a new tab)
- Case MA et al., JAMA, 2015Accuracy of smartphone applications and wearable devices for tracking physical activity data(opens in a new tab)
Ready to count your steps?
Open the free step counter in your phone browser. It counts on your device, with no app, no account and no tracking of where you walk.