Calculate gait speed (gait velocity) in m/s and ft/s from walk distance and time, with 4 m, 6 m and 10 m walk test presets, or solve distance or time.

Distance of the timed part of the walk, e.g. 10 m, or the middle 6 m of a 10-meter walk test.

Age and sex reference comparison

Gait Velocity Formula

The following equation is used to calculate the Gait Velocity.

GV = D / T

Formula source:  Ambulation Speed-Endurance Typology study, Journal of Frailty & Aging (2015)

  • Where GV is gait velocity: this calculator displays m/s and also converts to ft/s, cm/s, km/h and mph
  • D is the measured walking distance in meters; feet inputs are converted using 1 ft = 0.3048 m
  • T is the total time of walking (seconds)

To calculate gait velocity, divide the measured distance by the time for the same trial. Keep the walking pace, start procedure and course protocol consistent when comparing results. The optional age/sex comparison uses the rounded group means printed in Table 1 of the 2020 Journal of Spine Surgery editorial, which cites the Bohannon and Williams Andrews walking-speed review. It is limited here to ages 20–89 and is descriptive, not an individual target, percentile or diagnosis.

What is a Gait Velocity?

Definition:

A gait velocity is a measure of a person’s total rate of movement during their normal gait.

How to Calculate Gait Velocity?

Example Problem:

The following example outlines the steps and information needed to calculate Gait Velocity.

First, determine the total distance traveled during the gait. In this example, the distance is found to be 100 ft.

Next, determine the total time of walking. For this problem, the total time of walking is found to be 50 seconds.

Finally, calculate the Gait Velocity using the formula above:

GV = D / T

GV = 100/50

GV = 2 ft/s = 0.6096 m/s

FAQ

What factors can affect gait velocity?

Gait velocity can be affected by a variety of factors including age, physical fitness, health conditions (such as arthritis or neurological disorders), leg length, and the presence of pain or discomfort during walking.

Why is gait velocity an important measure in healthcare?

Gait velocity can help clinicians describe mobility and monitor changes alongside other assessments. Population studies report associations with function and health outcomes, but one speed does not diagnose a condition, establish individual fall risk, determine independence or guarantee safe street crossing.

Can gait velocity be improved?

Gait speed may improve when contributing factors are addressed, including through an appropriate rehabilitation or exercise plan. The suitable approach depends on the person and the reason for any walking difficulty; a clinician can help assess these. A faster test result alone does not guarantee fewer falls or better health.