Written by Muneeb Rana · Last updated 26 October 2026
Quick answer: The average walking speed for healthy adults is roughly 1.4 metres per second, about 5 km/h or 3.1 mph, according to studies summarised on Wikipedia's preferred walking speed page. Speed varies with age, height, fitness, terrain and purpose. A brisk walk is often 3.5–4 mph. A GPS app can measure yours, though slow speeds look jumpy.
TL;DR
- Adults average about 3 mph / 5 km/h.
- Brisk walking: about 3.5–4 mph.
- Age, terrain and load change speed.
- GPS speed is noisy at walking pace.
- Use average over minutes, not instant speed.
Average walking speed figures
Research on preferred walking speed often reports values around 1.4 m/s for adults, with variation by age and sex. Older adults typically walk slower.
Speed and pace table
| Speed | km/h | Pace per mile | Pace per km |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 mph | 4.0 | 24:00 | 15:00 |
| 3.0 mph | 4.8 | 20:00 | 12:26 |
| 3.5 mph | 5.6 | 17:09 | 10:39 |
| 4.0 mph | 6.4 | 15:00 | 9:19 |
What changes it
Hills, rough trails, heavy packs, crowds and weather slow you; long legs and fitness speed you up. Hiking guides often add time for ascent.
Measuring with a phone
Start a trip in Speedometer PRO and walk a while. Read average speed rather than the live number, because GPS noise is a large share of slow speeds. See walking & hiking.
Health context
Public-health guidance encourages regular moderate activity such as brisk walking. Speak with a clinician for personal advice.
Convert your pace
Use the running pace calculator for walking too.
What changes walking speed
Age, fitness, terrain, load and purpose all matter. A brisk walk for exercise can exceed 3.5 mph, while a stroll with children or on rough ground may be well under 2.5 mph. Researchers measure gait speed as a health indicator in older adults.
Measuring your own
Walk a known route of at least a mile at your usual pace with a trip running, then divide distance by time. Repeat a few times; your personal average is more useful than population figures.
Why your speed varies
Walking speed changes with gradient, surface, load, footwear, weather and company. A backpack and a climb can halve your pace. Age also matters: studies often find slower average gait speed in older adults, and clinicians sometimes use gait speed as a general health indicator. Don't compare yourself with a table; compare with your own walks over time.
Related
Average running speed, average cycling speed.
Related: Walking speed tracker for walks and hikes · Average running speed · Running pace calculator · Trip meter: duration, distance, average and max speed · GPS speedometer accuracy: how accurate is it? · How fast am I going right now? · Speedometer use cases
Get Speedometer PRO on Google Play · Download on the App Store · Set it up before you move; never handle your phone while driving.
Sources
- Preferred walking speed (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org (accessed 26 October 2026)
- Pace (speed) (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org (accessed 26 October 2026)
- GPS Accuracy (GPS.gov): gps.gov (accessed 26 October 2026)
FAQ
What is a normal walking speed?
About 3 mph or 5 km/h for many adults, with a wide normal range.
How long does it take to walk a mile?
At 3 mph, 20 minutes. At a brisk 4 mph, 15 minutes.
Is 4 mph a fast walk?
Yes, 4 mph is a brisk pace for most adults.
Why does my GPS walking speed jump?
At low speeds, small position errors are a big fraction of speed. Use averages.
Can Speedometer PRO track walks?
Yes. It measures distance and speed for any movement its GPS sees.