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Walking Speed Norm Calculator

Work out walking speed norm instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Walking Speed Norm Calculator

Habitual gait speed is such a strong predictor of health outcomes that it is sometimes called the sixth vital sign. Normal community walking is 1.2-1.4 m/s, declining after sixty. Speeds below 0.8 m/s are associated with frailty and below 0.6 m/s with markedly impaired mobility, so the thresholds matter more than the exact figure.

Formulas

Gait speed

speed = distance / time

Clinical thresholds

1.0 m/s community mobility, 0.8 frailty risk, 0.6 marked impairment

Worked example

With the default values below, Walking Speed Norm Calculator returns Habitual Gait Speed of 1.250. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Distance walkedminimum 0 m
10 m
Time takenminimum 0 s
8 s
Ageaccepts 10–100 years
60 years

Results

Habitual Gait Speed
1.250 m/s
Expected Speed For Your Age
1.33 m/s
Against The Age Norm
94.0%
Clinical Interpretation
Within normal community walking range

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Gait speed
  3. 3Clinical thresholds
  4. 4Habitual Gait Speed= 1.250 m/s
  5. 5Expected Speed For Your Age= 1.33 m/s
  6. 6Against The Age Norm= 94.0
  7. 7Clinical Interpretation= Within normal community walking range

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 3 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 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • This is an estimate from population-average equations, not a medical or diagnostic assessment. Individual results vary with genetics, training history and technique. Seek advice from a qualified coach or clinician before making significant changes to training.
  • This is an estimate for general information and not professional medical advice. See the full disclaimer for the limits that apply to this kind of calculator.

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

This is an estimate from population-average equations, not a medical or diagnostic assessment. Individual results vary with genetics, training history and technique. Seek advice from a qualified coach or clinician before making significant changes to training.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is gait speed measured properly?

Over a 4 or 10 metre course at comfortable pace, with a rolling start and finish so acceleration is excluded.

Why does gait speed predict mortality?

Because walking integrates cardiovascular, neurological and musculoskeletal function, so it acts as a summary of physiological reserve.

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Walking Speed Norm Calculator | Calcrivo