walkmath is a set of free calculators for steps, walking distance and calories burned. Every number comes from a published formula.
How the numbers are calculated
- Step length: height × 0.413 (women) or 0.415 (men), the standard pedometer coefficients, at an average 3 mph walk. For other speeds the step length follows the walk ratio, which stays nearly constant across normal walking speeds (Sekiya, Nagasaki et al., 1996). For the most accurate result, use your own measured step length.
- Calories, level walking: Ludlow & Weyand (2016, Journal of Applied Physiology), which uses your height and speed and predicts walking energy better than older equations.
- Calories, incline and running: the ACSM metabolic equations (ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription).
- Oxygen use converts to calories at 5 kcal per litre.
- Weight loss: only calories burned above resting count, at about 7,700 kcal per kg (3,500 kcal per lb) of body fat. This rule of thumb tends to overestimate loss over many months.
- Running step length is an estimate based on typical running cadence, since no simple published formula exists.
All results are estimates for healthy adults. They are not medical advice.