Average walking speed by age
Enter the walking speed your iPhone measures and see how it compares with everyday walking for your age and sex.
Add your details to see where you stand.
Everyday walking speed by age, in m/s
| Age | 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 to 29 | 1.08 | 1.17 | 1.27 | 1.37 | 1.46 |
| 30 to 39 | 1.07 | 1.16 | 1.26 | 1.36 | 1.45 |
| 40 to 49 | 1.09 | 1.18 | 1.28 | 1.38 | 1.47 |
| 50 to 59 | 1.09 | 1.18 | 1.28 | 1.38 | 1.47 |
| 60 to 69 | 1.08 | 1.17 | 1.27 | 1.37 | 1.46 |
| 70 to 79 | 1.05 | 1.14 | 1.24 | 1.34 | 1.43 |
| Age | 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 to 29 | 1.18 | 1.27 | 1.37 | 1.47 | 1.56 |
| 30 to 39 | 1.19 | 1.28 | 1.38 | 1.48 | 1.57 |
| 40 to 49 | 1.18 | 1.27 | 1.37 | 1.47 | 1.56 |
| 50 to 59 | 1.19 | 1.28 | 1.38 | 1.48 | 1.57 |
| 60 to 69 | 1.16 | 1.25 | 1.35 | 1.45 | 1.54 |
| 70 to 79 | 1.12 | 1.21 | 1.31 | 1.41 | 1.5 |
Columns are percentiles. The 50th is average and the 90th is better than 9 in 10 people that age. Obuchi et al., Reference value on daily living walking parameters among Japanese adults, Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 2020.
Where the norms come from
A Japanese study tracked the everyday walking of 8,429 adults with a phone app using GPS. The average was 1.3 m/s, about 4.7 km/h or 2.9 mph. People over 65 walked more slowly than younger adults, and men walked a little faster than women at every age.
Everyday walking runs slower than the timed walks used in clinics, so it's the right comparison for the walking speed iPhone measures through the day. We widened the study's spread a little to allow for differences between phones.
Why walking speed matters
In 9 studies of 34,485 adults aged 65 and over, each 0.1 m/s faster usual walking speed came with about 12% lower risk of death. Walking speed reflects your heart, lungs, muscles and balance at once, which is why some doctors call it a vital sign for older adults.
How to walk faster
Walk more, with some brisk stretches, and train your legs. Squats, step-ups and the chair stand build the strength that keeps your pace up as you age.
Questions
What is a normal walking speed?
About 1.3 m/s for everyday walking, which is 4.7 km/h or 2.9 mph. The table on this page shows each decade for men and women.
What walking speed is too slow?
In the large study of older adults, a timed walking speed around 0.8 m/s went with about average life expectancy for people over 65, and 1.0 m/s or faster with longer than average.
Where do I find my walking speed on iPhone?
In the Health app, under Mobility, then Walking Speed. iPhone measures it as you walk with it in a pocket or bag.
Sources
- Reference value on daily living walking parameters among Japanese adults. Obuchi et al., Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 2020.
- Gait speed and survival in older adults. Studenski et al., JAMA, 2011.