How to use this calculator
- Enter or choose distance walked.
- Enter or choose distance in.
- Add a grade and credits for each course; leave unused rows blank.
- The walking speed updates as you type. Use Copy result or Share to keep it.
Method
Speed (m/s) = Distance (m) ÷ Time (s); km/h = m/s × 3.6; mph = m/s × 3,600 ÷ 1,609.344
- Distance
- length of the walk, converted to metres
- Time
- time taken, in seconds
Worked example
- Speed = 10 m ÷ 8 s = 1.25 m/s.
- 1.25 × 3.6 = 4.5 km/h.
- 1.25 × 3,600 ÷ 1,609.344 = 2.80 mph.
Walking 10 metres in 8 seconds is 1.25 m/s, or 4.5 km/h.
What the result means
In clinical walk tests, gait speed is usually timed over the middle of a course after a short run-up so that acceleration is not counted. Compare your result over time on the same course rather than against a single cut-off.
Assumptions and limits
- Speed is averaged over the whole distance.
- This calculator does not interpret gait speed clinically; a health professional uses it together with other assessments.
- Hand timing over short distances can be off by a few tenths of a second, which matters for a 4-metre test.
Questions
How do I do a timed walk at home?
Mark a straight course, start walking a couple of metres before it, time from when you cross the start line to when you cross the finish at your usual pace, and repeat twice.
How is this different from the Pace Calculator?
This one is built for timed walks in metres and seconds and reports gait speed in m/s; the Pace Calculator is set up for running distances and finish times.
Please note: This is a general screening estimate for adults, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Talk to a qualified health professional about your health.