Gait speed calculator
Time a walk at your usual pace and get your speed in metres per second, with what the cut-offs mean.
Gait speed calculator
Walk at your usual pace, time the walk, and enter the distance and seconds.
How to do the 4 m walk
- Mark a 4 metre line on a flat, clear floor, with a little room before the start and after the finish.
- Stand with your toes behind the start line. Wear your normal shoes and use your usual walking aid if you have one.
- Walk at your usual, comfortable pace. Do not rush.
- Start the timer when your first foot crosses the start line. Stop it when your first foot crosses the finish line.
- Do it twice and use the faster time.
Your gait speed
Enter distance and time, then tap the button.
Sources: Studenski et al. (2011), JAMA 305(1):50-58; Chen et al. (2020), AWGS 2019, J Am Med Dir Assoc 21(3):300-307; Abellan van Kan et al. (2009), IANA Task Force, J Nutr Health Aging 13(10):881-889.
Book a gait and balance assessment →A guide only, not a medical diagnosis. A slow result is a reason for assessment, not a diagnosis.
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Open →FAQs
How do I measure my gait speed?
Mark 4 metres on a flat floor, walk it at your usual comfortable pace, and time from the first foot crossing the start to the first foot crossing the finish. Speed is distance divided by seconds. Do it twice and use the faster time.
What gait speed is too slow?
The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 uses a usual walking speed below 1.0 m/s as the low physical performance cut-off (Chen et al., 2020, J Am Med Dir Assoc 21(3):300-307). Below 0.8 m/s is a commonly used marker of higher risk.
Why does gait speed matter?
In a pooled analysis of nine cohorts and 34,485 adults aged 65 and over, each 0.1 m/s faster was associated with about 12% lower risk of death, and speeds of 1.0 m/s or more were linked to longer-than-expected survival (Studenski et al., 2011, JAMA 305(1):50-58). It is a marker, not a cause.
How can I improve my walking speed?
Build leg strength with sit-to-stands, step-ups and calf raises two to three days a week, add brisk walking, and practise balance. Re-test every four to six weeks under the same conditions. A slow result is a reason for assessment, not a diagnosis.
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