Hiking Time (Naismith Rule) Calculator

Work out hiking time (naismith rule) instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Hiking Time (Naismith Rule) Calculator

Naismith's rule allows one hour for every 5 km plus an additional hour for every 600 m of ascent. It assumes a fit walker on good paths with a light pack, so a pace factor and pack weight correction bring it closer to reality for most parties.

Formula

Naismith's rule

time = distance / 5 km/h + ascent / 600 m per hour, adjusted for fitness and load

Worked example

With the default values below, Hiking Time (Naismith Rule) Calculator returns Estimated time of 4.29. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Distance: 14 km
Total ascent: 750 m
Pace factor: 1 x
Pack weight: 12 kg

Results

Estimated time: 4.29 h
Time for the distance: 2.80 h
Additional time for ascent: 1.25 h
Time adjusted for pack weight: 4.05 h

Step by step

1Values used
2Naismith's rule
3Estimated time= 4.29 h
4Time for the distance= 2.80 h
5Additional time for ascent= 1.25 h
6Time adjusted for pack weight= 4.05 h

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the rule account for descent?

Not in its original form. Tranter's corrections add time for steep descent, which can be slower than the ascent on rough ground.

Why add time for pack weight?

Every kilogram above about 8 kg costs roughly 1.5% in pace. A 20 kg pack adds nearly a fifth to the walking time.