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How many steps in a mile?

Slower steps are shorter, so a mile takes more of them.

A mile is about

1,940 to 2,920

steps, from a very brisk 4 mph to a slow 2 mph.

  • 2 mph, slow2,9201.8 ft step
  • 3 mph, moderate2,2802.3 ft step
  • 4 mph, very brisk1,9402.7 ft step
A woman takes a slow tai chi step in her kitchen, one hand on the counter.

Walking already?

The 28-day plan adds 7 slow minutes at your counter, then your walk.

See today's free session
A woman walks at a brisk pace across a bright room, seen from the side.

Steps in a mile, by pace and age

  • Ages 41 to 60
  • Ages 61 to 85
Steps in a mile by pace and ageSteps in a mile for ages 41 to 60 and 61 to 85: 2 mph, slow, 2,880 and 2,960; 2.5 mph, easy, 2,530 and 2,550; 3 mph, moderate, 2,270 and 2,280; 3.5 mph, brisk, 2,060 and 2,080; 4 mph, very brisk, 1,930 and 1,940.2 mph, slow2,8802,9602.5 mph, easy2,5302,5503 mph, moderate2,2702,2803.5 mph, brisk2,0602,0804 mph, very brisk1,9301,940Steps in a mile by pace and ageSteps in a mile for ages 41 to 60 and 61 to 85: 2 mph, slow, 2,880 and 2,960; 2.5 mph, easy, 2,530 and 2,550; 3 mph, moderate, 2,270 and 2,280; 3.5 mph, brisk, 2,060 and 2,080; 4 mph, very brisk, 1,930 and 1,940.2 mph, slow2,8802,9602.5 mph, easy2,5302,5503 mph, moderate2,2702,2803.5 mph, brisk2,0602,0804 mph, very brisk1,9301,940
The two age groups are close. At 4 mph few aged 61 to 85 were measured (17), so that bar is the least certain.
See the numbers
Steps in a mile, by pace and age
PaceAges 41 to 60Ages 61 to 85Step length
2 mph, slow2,8802,9601.8 ft
2.5 mph, easy2,5302,5502.1 ft
3 mph, moderate2,2702,2802.3 ft
3.5 mph, brisk2,0602,0802.6 ft
4 mph, very brisk1,9301,9402.7 ft

Estimates for groups of people, counted on a treadmill.

Your own numbers depend on your body, stride, ground and pace.

Steps a minute: CADENCE-Adults, ages 41 to 60 and 61 to 85.

Calories: the 2024 Compendium of Physical Activities, adults and 60 and over.

How we work it out

A woman takes a slow tai chi step in her kitchen, one hand on the counter.

A gentle 28-day walking plan

Short sessions at home, with an easier version of every move.

See the walking planOpens soon

Why a faster pace takes fewer steps

Longer steps at a faster pace mean fewer of them in a mile.

A mile at a slow and a brisk paceTwo tracks, each one mile long, with a mark for every 100 steps. At 2 mph there are about 29 marks, because steps are about 1.8 ft long. At 4 mph there are about 19, because steps are about 2.7 ft long.2 mph: 2,920 steps, 1.8 ft each4 mph: 1,940 steps, 2.7 ft eachOne mark is 100 steps.Both tracks are one mile.A mile at a slow and a brisk paceTwo tracks, each one mile long, with a mark for every 100 steps. At 2 mph there are about 29 marks, because steps are about 1.8 ft long. At 4 mph there are about 19, because steps are about 2.7 ft long.2 mph: 2,920 steps, 1.8 ft each4 mph: 1,940 steps, 2.7 ft eachOne mark is 100 steps.Both tracks are one mile.
Drawn from the same figures as the chart: about 1.8 ft a step at 2 mph, about 2.7 ft at 4 mph.

Measure your own

Your height and stride change the number.

  1. Walk 20 steps at your usual pace along something you can measure.
  2. Measure the distance in feet and divide by 20. That is your step length.
  3. Divide 5,280 by your step length. That is your steps in a mile.

More walking numbers

Distance for a number of steps

Calories for a distance or a time

Stop if anything hurts, or if you feel dizzy, short of breath or chest pressure.

Stop signs

General information, not medical advice.

28-day walking plan Opens soonSee the plan