Stride Length Calculator — Predict from Height or Measure
Estimate your walking or running stride length from your height using biomechanics research constants, then see your step length, steps per km, and steps per mile — or calculate directly from a measured distance and step count.
cm
Sex
Pace
m
One full gait cycle (left + right foot). Step length = stride ÷ 2.
Height-based regression (De Vito 1998)
Substituting height
Predicted stride length
Step length = stride ÷ 2
Steps per km = 100 000 ÷ step_cm
- 1
Walking stride (De Vito regression)
0.415 × 175 cm = 72.63Regression coefficient times height gives predicted walking stride in centimetres. - 2
Predicted stride length
72.6
How does this calculator work?
Stride length ≈ 0.415 × height for males, 0.413 × height for females at walking pace (De Vito 1998 regression). Step length = stride ÷ 2. Steps per km = 100 000 ÷ step_cm. For a more accurate result, walk a measured distance, count steps, and enter both to get the measured stride.
Formula
How this is calculated
Stride length is the distance covered in one complete gait cycle — from one foot strike to the next strike of the SAME foot (left–left). Step length is half of that: one foot strike to the next strike of the OPPOSITE foot. The two terms are often confused: most pedometers count steps, not strides.
The height-based prediction uses regression constants from De Vito et al. (1998), a widely cited biomechanics study: stride ≈ 0.415 × height for males and 0.413 × height for females at a comfortable walking pace. The difference between sexes is small (about 0.5%) and the formula works best for adults of average build at typical walking speeds (4–6 km/h). At faster speeds stride lengthens; at slower speeds it shortens. Running stride is approximately 1.35× the predicted walking stride at an easy effort, but varies considerably with pace and running style — elite runners at race pace can exceed 2.2× their walking stride.
The measured method is more accurate: walk or run a known distance (e.g. a 400 m track), count your steps with a pedometer, and the calculator computes stride = (distance × 2) / steps. Steps per km and steps per mile are derived from step length: steps/km = 1000 m / step_m. Knowing your stride length lets you calibrate a pedometer or GPS watch to report accurate distance.
Frequently asked questions
A step is one footfall — one leg swings forward. A stride is a complete gait cycle — both legs swing once, returning you to the same foot position. So stride length = 2 × step length. Most fitness trackers count steps; divide by two to get strides.
The De Vito regression predicts within about 5–10% for most adults at a comfortable walking pace. Individual stride length also depends on leg-to-height ratio, fitness level, speed, and walking style. For accuracy, walk a measured distance (e.g. 400 m), count steps, and use the measured calculation mode.
For an average adult (170 cm height, ~65 cm stride, ~32.5 cm step): steps per km ≈ 1000 m / 0.325 m ≈ 3 077. Taller people take fewer steps per km; shorter people take more. The range for most adults is about 1 200–2 000 steps per km at a brisk walking pace.
Also known as
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. (2026). Stride Length Calculator — Predict from Height or Measure [Online calculator]. TG we-Calculate. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/stride-length-calculator
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. "Stride Length Calculator — Predict from Height or Measure." TG we-Calculate. 2026. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/stride-length-calculator.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team, "Stride Length Calculator — Predict from Height or Measure," TG we-Calculate, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://we-calculate.com/calculator/stride-length-calculator
@misc{wecalculate_stride_length_calculator, title = {Stride Length Calculator — Predict from Height or Measure}, author = {{TG we-Calculate Editorial Team}}, howpublished = {\url{https://we-calculate.com/calculator/stride-length-calculator}}, year = {2026}, note = {TG we-Calculate} }
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