Understanding This Calculator
Stride length — the distance covered in one step — scales fairly predictably with leg length and height. Fitness trackers and pedometers use a stride-length estimate like this one to convert step counts into distance when GPS isn’t available.
Running stride is meaningfully longer than walking stride because of the added airborne ‘flight phase’ between footfalls, plus faster leg turnover and greater hip extension.
- height standing height in centimeters
- 0.415 / 0.413 empirical walking stride-to-height ratio
- 0.65 / 0.635 empirical running stride-to-height ratio
| Height | Walking Stride | Running Stride |
|---|---|---|
| 5’6″ (168cm) | 27.5 in | 43.2 in |
| 5’10” (178cm) | 29.1 in | 45.8 in |
| 6’2″ (188cm) | 30.7 in | 48.4 in |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does gender affect stride length at the same height?
Average leg-to-torso proportions differ slightly by sex, which is reflected in the slightly different ratio constants derived from biomechanics research.
How is this used by fitness trackers?
Devices without GPS estimate distance by multiplying your step count by an assumed stride length — calibrating that stride length to your actual measurement (rather than the device default) improves distance accuracy.