Stride Length From Height Calculator
Estimate your walking step and stride length from your height, plus steps per mile and per kilometre.
How it works
step length = height × 0.415 (male) or 0.413 (female) · stride = 2 × step · steps/mile = 1609.344 ÷ step (m)
A widely used rule of thumb estimates walking step length as a fixed fraction of standing height — about 0.415 for men and 0.413 for women. "Step" is one footfall; "stride" is a full cycle of two steps (heel of one foot to the next heel of the same foot). Running stride is longer and this walking estimate understates it, but it is a solid default for pedometers and step-count goals when you have not measured your own.
Worked example
For a 170 cm man, step length ≈ 170 × 0.415 = 70.6 cm = 0.706 m. A mile is 1609.344 m, so 1609.344 ÷ 0.706 ≈ 2,281 steps per mile; stride length is about 141 cm.
Frequently asked questions
Step length or stride length?
A step is a single footfall (left, then right). A stride is two steps — the same foot hitting the ground twice. Stride length is therefore double the step length.
Is this accurate for running?
No — running stride is considerably longer than walking stride and grows with speed. Use this for walking and everyday step-count estimates.
How can I measure it directly?
Walk a known distance (say 20 m) counting your steps, then divide the distance by the step count. That personalises the estimate and beats any height-based rule.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.