Apple Health metrics › Walking Speed

Walking Speed on Apple Watch and iPhone

How fast you walk on level ground, a surprisingly strong predictor of health in older adults.

What it is

Walking speed is sometimes called the sixth vital sign in geriatric research. Slowing speed can come before other declines.

How Apple measures it

iPhone estimates it from motion sensors when you walk steadily with the phone on you.

What's a normal range?

Typical adult comfortable pace is about 4 to 5.5 km/h (2.5 to 3.5 mph). Speeds under about 3.2 km/h are associated with higher health risk in older people.

What moves it

• Age
• Leg strength and balance
• Injury or pain
• Footwear
• Terrain

See Walking Speed next to your other vitals

Apple Health keeps this number several taps deep. OnlyVitals puts the metrics you pick, including Walking Speed, on a single dashboard so you can read them at a glance. Everything stays on your device.

Frequently asked questions

What is a normal walking speed?

Around 4 to 5.5 km/h (about 1.1 to 1.5 m/s) for healthy adults on level ground.

Why does walking speed matter?

In older adults, a slowing pace is linked with falls, hospitalization and reduced independence, so it is worth tracking over time.

Related metrics

• Walking + Running Distance
• Walking Step Length
• Walking Asymmetry
• Double Support Time
• Walking Steadiness
• Stand Hours

This page is general information, not medical advice. Ranges vary by age, sex, fitness and device. Talk to a clinician about anything that worries you.