Pedometers and phones count steps, but distance depends on how long your stride is. Taller people cover more ground per step; running steps are about 1.5–2× longer than walking steps.
How to use the Steps to Distance Calculator
- Convert
- Step length from
- Sex
- Height
- Measured step length
- Activity
- Number of steps
- Distance
Results update as you type, every field has its own unit menu, and everything is calculated in your browser.
How it works
Choose the direction and how to estimate your step length, then enter the steps or the distance.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Convert | Choose one: Steps to distance, Distance to steps |
| Step length from | Choose one: My height, Average step length, My measured step length |
| Sex | Choose one: Male, Female |
| Height | Units: cm, m, ft, in |
| Measured step length | Units: cm, in, m, ft |
| Activity | Choose one: Walking, Running (≈ 1.65× walking step) |
| Number of steps | A number |
| Distance | Units: km, mi, m, yd |
What each result means
- Distance = [Number of steps]×[Step length used]
- Number of steps = [Distance]÷[Step length used]
- Steps per km = 1000÷[Step length used]
- Steps per mile = 1609.344÷[Step length used]
Example values
How the main result changes when Height changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Height (cm) | Distance (km) |
|---|---|
| 87.5 | 3.631 |
| 131.25 | 5.447 |
| 175 | 7.262 |
| 218.75 | 9.078 |
| 262.5 | 10.894 |
| 350 | 14.525 |
Formula
Step length ≈ 0.415 × height (men) or 0.413 × height (women) · Average: 0.762 m (men), 0.67 m (women) · Distance = steps × step length
Worked example
Inputs: Convert: Steps to distance; Step length from: My height; Sex: Male; Height: 175 cm; Activity: Walking; Number of steps: 10,000.
Results: Step length used = 72.625 cm; Distance = 7.262 km; Steps per km = 1,377; Steps per mile = 2,216.
Key terms
- Step length
- Distance from one foot strike to the next (other) foot.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps are in a km?
About 1,300–1,500 walking steps for an average adult.
How many steps in a mile?
Roughly 2,000–2,400 walking steps.
How do I measure my step length?
Walk 20 steps, measure the distance and divide by 20.
Is 10,000 steps about 8 km?
Roughly, for an average-height adult walking.