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The average American only walks between 3,000-4,000 steps per day, according to the Mayo Clinic. Anything under 5,000 steps a day is considered sedentary. (Although, it’s important to note that even this amount of steps is linked with health benefits, so every step counts!)
This means that the average American is walking under 2 miles a day. Are you one of them? Many people are motivated by data. So here are the numbers you need to know when it comes to walking steps and mileage. Hopefully they will encourage you to lace up your sneakers and get those steps in!
How many steps are in a mile?
There are approximately 2,000 steps in a mile. While this is a good estimate, it’s important to note that the number of steps each person takes per mile will vary based on height, range of motion, fitness level and balance. It can take up to 2,500 steps on average to reach 1 mile. Because we all walk at different paces with different gaits and on different terrain, fitness trackers and step counters are a popular way to see how many steps you personally take in a mile.
How many miles is 10,000 steps?
Using 2,000 steps in one mile as an average benchmark, 10,000 steps is approximately 5 miles.
Factors that influence how many steps are in a mile
Imagine lining up next to a group of people of different ages, heights and ranges of motion with a finish line one mile away. Do you think that everyone in the group would cross the finish line in the exact same number of steps? Probably not, right?
Factors such as age, height, gait and even range of motion do have an affect on step count. Take for example someone who is 5’3” and someone who is 6’1” walking side by side. The shorter individual will take more steps than the taller individual because her limbs are shorter, which means her stride length is shorter and she will cover less…
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