Stride length calculator
Your step length is the number that turns steps into miles. Estimate it from height, or measure it for real in a minute.
Stride (two steps): 55.3 in / 140 cm · 2,292 steps per mile
Average step and stride length by height
| Height | Step (women) | Step (men) | Stride (women) | Stride (men) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4′10″ | 24.0 in · 61 cm | 24.1 in · 61 cm | 47.9 in | 48.1 in |
| 5′0″ | 24.8 in · 63 cm | 24.9 in · 63 cm | 49.6 in | 49.8 in |
| 5′2″ | 25.6 in · 65 cm | 25.7 in · 65 cm | 51.2 in | 51.5 in |
| 5′4″ | 26.4 in · 67 cm | 26.6 in · 67 cm | 52.9 in | 53.1 in |
| 5′6″ | 27.3 in · 69 cm | 27.4 in · 70 cm | 54.5 in | 54.8 in |
| 5′8″ | 28.1 in · 71 cm | 28.2 in · 72 cm | 56.2 in | 56.4 in |
| 5′10″ | 28.9 in · 73 cm | 29.1 in · 74 cm | 57.8 in | 58.1 in |
| 6′0″ | 29.7 in · 76 cm | 29.9 in · 76 cm | 59.5 in | 59.8 in |
| 6′2″ | 30.6 in · 78 cm | 30.7 in · 78 cm | 61.1 in | 61.4 in |
| 6′4″ | 31.4 in · 80 cm | 31.5 in · 80 cm | 62.8 in | 63.1 in |
| 6′6″ | 32.2 in · 82 cm | 32.4 in · 82 cm | 64.4 in | 64.7 in |
How to measure your step length
- Mark a start and end at least 20 feet (6 m) apart. Longer is better: a 400 m track lap or a measured 100 m stretch gives the best result.
- Start walking a few steps before the start line so you’re at normal pace when you cross it.
- Count every step until the end line.
- Divide distance by steps. Repeat twice and average.
Step vs stride: why your app may disagree
Physiologists define a stride as a full gait cycle: two steps. Many trackers (Fitbit, Garmin and others) ask for “stride length” but mean what’s here called step length. If your tracker’s distance is about half or double what you expect, this mix-up is the usual reason.
Once you have the number, enter it as “Own step length” in the steps to miles calculator.
Questions people ask
What is the average stride length?
Average walking step length is about 26 inches (66 cm) for women and 31 inches (79 cm) for men in the US, based on average heights. A stride (two steps) is double that.
What is the difference between step length and stride length?
A step is heel of one foot to heel of the other foot. A stride is heel to heel of the same foot, so one stride equals two steps. Many fitness apps say “stride” when they mean step length.
How do I measure my stride length?
Mark out a known distance (at least 20 ft or 10 m), walk it at your normal pace and count steps. Divide distance by steps for step length; double it for stride length.
How do I calculate stride length from height?
Multiply height by 0.413 (women) or 0.415 (men) for walking step length. At 5′10″ (70 in) that is about 29 inches.