About this tool

Stride Length Calculator

Work out running step and stride length from cadence and pace, or from a step count over a known distance.

Stride length is the distance covered by one full gait cycle — from a foot strike back to the next strike of the same foot — and it is exactly two steps. This calculator derives it three ways: from watch cadence and pace (step length = speed ÷ steps per second), from a counted step test over a measured distance, or from the pedometer height rule of thumb. Runners get step length, stride length, steps per kilometre and steps per mile from the same input.

How to use Stride Length Calculator

1. 1

   Open Stride Length Calculator on AltFTool — it loads instantly in your browser.

2. 2

   Enter the values you already know.

3. 3

   Fine-tune the options to match your scenario.

4. 4

   Read the result and use it in your planning or reporting.

Why use Stride Length Calculator

• Step and stride kept separate

  Cadence counts steps; a stride is two of them, and the tool never conflates the two.

• Three input routes

  Use watch data, a counted step test, or a height estimate — whichever numbers you actually have.

• Steps per km and per mile

  See the total footfalls behind a race distance, useful for shoe wear and impact planning.

Common use cases

• Convert a watch reading of 172 spm at 5:30/km into the step and stride length behind it, so you can see whether a pace change came from turnover or from reach.
• Count your steps over a marked 400 m track lap and get a measured step length to enter into a treadmill or pedometer that asks for one.
• Check how much your step length grows between easy pace and 5K pace while cadence stays roughly flat — the usual pattern in trained runners.
• Work out how many steps a marathon will take at your current step length before choosing shoes and planning cadence work.

Frequently asked questions