To convert steps to km, multiply your steps by the length of one step in metres and divide by 1,000. With an average adult step of 0.76 m, 1,000 steps is about 0.76 km and 10,000 steps is about 7.6 km. The converter above does the maths and lets you set your own step length from your height.
Step length changes with height, speed and terrain, so a tall person covers more ground per step than a short one, and running steps are much longer than walking steps. That is why two phones can show the same steps and different distances.
Quick numbers
Formula
km = steps × step length (m) ÷ 1,000Average step
0.7 to 0.8 m1,000 steps
about 0.7 to 0.8 km10,000 steps
about 7 to 8 kmStep length from height
about 0.413 to 0.415 × height
How to use the steps to km converter
Type your step count. Then either leave the step length at the default of 0.76 m, enter your height so the tool estimates it, or enter a step length you measured yourself. Pick walking or running; the running setting uses a longer step.
The result shows kilometres, miles and an estimate of how long the walk took at a normal pace.
Steps to km conversion table
| Steps | Short step 0.70 m (km) | Average step 0.76 m (km) | Long step 0.80 m (km) | Walking time at 5 km/h |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | 0.70 | 0.76 | 0.80 | 9 min |
| 2,000 | 1.40 | 1.52 | 1.60 | 18 min |
| 2,500 | 1.75 | 1.90 | 2.00 | 23 min |
| 3,000 | 2.10 | 2.28 | 2.40 | 27 min |
| 5,000 | 3.50 | 3.80 | 4.00 | 46 min |
| 7,000 | 4.90 | 5.32 | 5.60 | 64 min |
| 8,000 | 5.60 | 6.08 | 6.40 | 73 min |
| 10,000 | 7.00 | 7.60 | 8.00 | 91 min |
| 12,000 | 8.40 | 9.12 | 9.60 | 109 min |
| 12,500 | 8.75 | 9.50 | 10.00 | 114 min |
| 13,000 | 9.10 | 9.88 | 10.40 | 119 min |
| 14,000 | 9.80 | 10.64 | 11.20 | 128 min |
| 15,000 | 10.50 | 11.40 | 12.00 | 137 min |
| 16,000 | 11.20 | 12.16 | 12.80 | 146 min |
| 18,000 | 12.60 | 13.68 | 14.40 | 164 min |
| 19,000 | 13.30 | 14.44 | 15.20 | 173 min |
| 20,000 | 14.00 | 15.20 | 16.00 | 182 min |
| 25,000 | 17.50 | 19.00 | 20.00 | 228 min |
| 28,000 | 19.60 | 21.28 | 22.40 | 255 min |
| 30,000 | 21.00 | 22.80 | 24.00 | 274 min |
| 36,000 | 25.20 | 27.36 | 28.80 | 328 min |
Common counts have their own pages with more detail: 2,000 steps, 5,000 steps, 7,000 steps and 10,000 steps.
How to calculate steps in km by hand
Step length in m ≈ height in cm × 0.413 ÷ 100 (women) or × 0.415 ÷ 100 (men)
Distance in km = steps × step length ÷ 1,000
A man 175 cm tall: 175 × 0.415 = 72.6 cm, so a step of about 0.73 m. 15,000 steps × 0.73 = 10.9 km.
If you want the reverse, how many steps a set distance takes, see km to steps.
Measure your own step length
- Mark a start line on a flat road or a track.
- Walk at your normal pace for 20 steps and mark where your 20th step lands.
- Measure the distance in metres with a tape.
- Divide by 20. That is your step length.
- Repeat twice and take the average.
A 400 m running track makes it easy: count your steps for one lap and divide 400 by the count. Most adults land between 0.65 and 0.85 m when walking.
Walking steps to km vs running steps to km
A jogging stride stretches to 1.0 to 1.3 m, and further when you speed up, so 10,000 running steps can top 10 km. Phones and watches usually guess one step length, which is why running distance from steps alone can be off by 10 to 20 percent. For runs, GPS distance is more reliable.
Uphill walking, crowded streets and stairs all shorten the step. A walk through a busy market will cover less distance for the same steps than a walk around a park.
Why your phone and this converter may disagree
- Phones count arm swings and bumps, so steps in a bag or car can add or drop counts.
- Most apps set step length from the height you typed once, sometimes years ago.
- Some apps add distance from GPS when outdoors and from steps indoors.
- Short walks around the house have short steps.
If accuracy matters, measure your step length once and enter it here. Over a week, the converter will match a GPS route much better than a default setting.
Steps, km and calories
Distance is half the story; calories depend on body weight and pace. A 70 kg adult walking 7.6 km at a brisk pace burns roughly 350 to 450 kcal. Check your own number on the page about calories in steps and the walking calorie calculator.
Hub: steps and walking tools
This is the hub for steps and walking. Related tools: km to steps, 10,000 steps in km, 5,000 steps in km, 2,000 steps in km, 7,000 steps in km, calories in steps and walking calories.
New to walking or managing a heart, lung or joint condition? Raise your daily count gradually, perhaps by a thousand each week, and ask your doctor what pace is safe for you.
Frequently asked questions
What distance do 10,000 steps cover?
Somewhere near 7 or 8 km, using a step of 0.7 to 0.8 m. The default 0.76 m step gives 7.6 km.
How do I convert steps to km?
Multiply steps by step length in metres, then divide by 1,000. 8,000 steps at 0.75 m is 6 km.
How many steps is 1 km?
Around 1,250 to 1,450 steps for an average adult walking. Shorter people take more steps per km.
How many km is 20,000 steps?
About 14 to 16 km, depending on step length.
Is the steps to km calculator accurate?
It is as accurate as the step length you give it. Measure your step once and the result is usually within a few percent.
How many km is 15,000 steps?
About 10.5 to 12.0 km, or 11.4 km with an average step.
Sources
- Step length to height ratios used in pedometer research
- Compendium of Physical Activities