Have you ever wondered how fast is the average person walks? You’re in luck. I’ll tell you how fast is the average person walks and things to consider when measuring walking speed.
The average walk speed is the average distance covered when walking a certain distance over a period of time. The most common unit of measurement for average speed is miles per hour but it can be recorded in kilometers per hour or kilometers per second.
Well, you’ve often wondered what the average walk speed is. So, we’ll tell you the answer.
What Is Average Walk Speed?
The average walk speed is approximately 3 to 4 miles per hour. This pace can be maintained for relatively long distances without tiring. However, average walking speed will vary based on a person’s fitness level, age, and other factors.
People who are new to walking or are out of shape will tend to have a slower walk speed, while those who are more fit will be able to walk faster. Age can also play a role, as older adults may not be able to walk as fast as younger adults.
There are many ways to increase walk speed, including taking shorter steps, lengthening strides, and walking with a purposeful effort. Those who want to walk faster should start by gradually increasing their pace and then working up to walking at a quicker pace.
Average Walk Speed And Age
According to studies, the average walking speed decreases with age. This is because as we get older, our bones become less dense and stiffer, so we have difficulty moving around. Younger people tend to have more collagen in their bones, which makes them more flexible and able to withstand impact.
However, as we age, our bodies produce less collagen, making our bones more brittle. This makes it harder for us to move quickly and perform tasks that require agility.
While you may be walking a little slower as you get older, there are ways to combat that. Walking exercises will help you regain the stamina of your younger days and help maintain proper balance.
Below is a table with the average walking speed for different age groups, according to studies.
| Age | Average miles per hour (MPH) |
|---|---|
| 20-29 | 3.4 |
| 30-39 | 3.2 |
| 40-49 | 3.11 |
| 50-59 | 2.93 |
| 60-69 | 2.77 |
| 70-79 | 2.53 |
| 80-89 | 2.10 |
Average Walk Speed And Gender
The average walking speed of men is faster than that of women, but this is not set in stone. Body height and weight, and physical traits such as hand-to-foot ratio, leg length, and height proportion all affect this statistic.
The average walking speed for a man is approximately 3 miles per hour. For a woman, the average is closer to 2.7 miles per hour. Women generally have shorter strides than men, and they also tend to walk with a wider gait. These differences are thought to be due to the different proportions of men’s and women’s bodies. Men tend to have longer legs and shorter torsos, while women have shorter legs and longer torsos. This difference in proportions leads to the different gait and stride patterns that men and women use when they walk.
There are, of course, many individuals who do not conform to these averages. Some men may walk slower than the average woman, and some women may walk faster than the average man.
| Age | Sex | Average miles per hour (MPH) |
|---|---|---|
| 20-29 | Male | 3.04 |
| Female | 3.0 | |
| 30-39 | Male | 3.2 |
| Female | 3.2 | |
| 40-49 | Male | 3.2 |
| Female | 3.11 | |
| 50-59 | Male | 3.2 |
| Female | 2.93 | |
| 60-69 | Male | 3.0 |
| Female | 2.77 | |
| 70-79 | Male | 2.82 |
| Female | 2.53 | |
| 80-89 | Male | 2.17 |
| Female | 2.10 |
Average Walk Speed And Weight
Bodyweight is an important influence on average walk speed. The heavier a person is, the slower his or her average walking speed will be. This is due to the increased effort required to move the extra body mass. The average walk speed for an adult male is about 3.1 miles per hour, and the average walk speed for an adult female is about 2.7 miles per hour. However, these averages will vary depending on a person’s weight. A heavier person will have a slower walk speed than a lighter person.
The average walk speed for an adult male weighing 200 pounds is about 2.8 miles per hour, and the average walk speed for an adult female weighing 160 pounds is about 2.7 miles per hour.
Conclusion
Thus, the average walk speed is 3 miles per hour or 1.5 meters per second. However, it may vary from person to person, depending on the height since taller people have a longer distance for each leg advancement than shorter people do.
Also, individuals can walk faster or slower depending on their fitness level and body type. If you’re healthy and you lead the average lifestyle, your speed should be more than 4 miles per hour (or 1.9 meters/second).
