C

Gait Velocity Calculator

📅Last updated: February 28, 2026
✓Reviewed by: LumoCalculator Team

Calculate walking speed from distance and time, then review mobility band, fall-risk context, community ambulation ability, and practical follow-up guidance for trend-based monitoring.

Medical Disclaimer

This calculator is for educational mobility review only. It does not diagnose neurologic, cardiopulmonary, orthopedic, or frailty conditions and must not replace clinician assessment.

Calculate Gait Velocity

Assess walking speed and mobility

Common test distances:

Time to complete the distance

For age-adjusted interpretation

Gait Velocity Results

Walking Speed
Normal
1.00 m/s
3.28 ft/s • 3.6 km/h
Test Details
Distance4.0 m (13.1 ft)
Time4.00 seconds
Protocol4-meter walk test (standard clinical protocol)
Risk Assessment
Fall Risk
Low Risk
Mortality
Low
Hospital
Low
Functional Status
Limited Community Ambulator

May have difficulty with timed street crossings; can walk in familiar environments

Interpretation

Walking speed of 1.00 m/s (3.28 ft/s) indicates normal functional mobility. Walking speed within normal range for independent community ambulation. Community ambulation status: Limited Community Ambulator.

Interpretation and Follow-up

•Maintain current activity level
•Continue regular exercise
•Retest periodically to monitor changes

Related Calculators

Editorial & Review Information

Reviewed on: 2026-02-26

Published on: 2025-12-04

Author: LumoCalculator Editorial Team

Editorial review: Speed-band thresholds, risk wording safety, formula clarity, and source-link availability were reviewed for C-phase quality alignment.

Purpose and scope: Supports trend-oriented mobility interpretation for education, self-tracking, and visit preparation. Not intended for emergency triage or medical decision autonomy.

Use Scenarios

Scenario 1: Older-adult screening context

Use a standardized short-distance walk test to screen for mobility slowdown and identify whether closer fall-prevention follow-up should be discussed.

Scenario 2: Rehabilitation trend tracking

Recheck speed at fixed intervals with the same test protocol to quantify direction of change after therapy, surgery, or deconditioning.

Scenario 3: Pre-visit functional summary

Bring measured speed, assistive-device use, and trend notes to a clinic visit to improve precision in risk discussion and care planning.

Formula Explanation

Core Formula

gait_velocity (m/s) = distance (m) / time (s)
ft/s = m/s x 3.28084
km/h = m/s x 3.6

The calculation is mathematically simple, but interpretation quality depends on protocol quality. Keep the same distance, timing start/stop rule, footwear policy, and assistive-device condition across repeat measurements.

A single value gives snapshot context. Trend over repeated measurements is usually more useful for identifying functional drift, rehabilitation response, and practical mobility planning.

Device-assisted and unassisted values should not be mixed without annotation. A cane- or walker-based result reflects assisted performance context and should be compared with similar conditions only.

Clinical Cutpoints

Speed BandCategoryInterpretation Context
≥ 1.0 m/sNormalIndependent community ambulation
0.8 - 1.0 m/sMild LimitationMay need extra time for street crossing
0.6 - 0.8 m/sModerate LimitationLimited community mobility
< 0.6 m/sSevere LimitationHousehold ambulator or less

Age Norms and Key Thresholds

Age-Related Norms

60-69 years1.13 m/s
Male: 1.13 m/s | Female: 1.13 m/s
70-79 years1.04 m/s
Male: 1.13 m/s | Female: 0.94 m/s
80+ years0.89 m/s
Male: 0.94 m/s | Female: 0.84 m/s

Key Practical Thresholds

normalCommunity1 m/s
Minimum for safe community ambulation
streetCrossing1.2 m/s
Typical pedestrian signal timing
fallRisk0.7 m/s
Increased fall risk below this
survivalPredictor0.8 m/s
Strong predictor of 5-year survival
severeImpairment0.6 m/s
Indicates severe mobility limitation

Test Protocol and Application Context

Protocol Steps

  1. Mark a straight, unobstructed walkway of known distance
  2. Add 1-2 meters at each end for acceleration/deceleration (if using dynamic start)
  3. Have the person stand at the starting line
  4. Instruct: "Walk at your usual comfortable pace"
  5. Start timing when first foot crosses start line
  6. Stop timing when first foot crosses finish line
  7. Record the time in seconds
  8. Perform 2-3 trials and use the average or best time

Equipment

  • - Measured walkway (4m, 6m, or 10m)
  • - Stopwatch or timer
  • - Tape or markers for start/finish

Use in Practice

  • Geriatric Assessment: "Sixth vital sign" - predicts health outcomes in elderly
  • Fall Risk Screening: Identifies individuals at increased fall risk
  • Rehabilitation: Tracks recovery progress after surgery, stroke, or illness
  • Discharge Planning: Helps determine appropriate level of care
  • Research: Outcome measure for clinical trials in aging
  • Surgical Risk: Preoperative assessment for frailty

Protocol Variations

  • - Static start: Begin from standing position at the line
  • - Dynamic start: Begin walking before the measured distance
  • - Usual pace: "Walk at your normal comfortable speed"
  • - Fast pace: "Walk as fast as you safely can"

Example Cases

Case 1: Independent community context

Input: distance 4.0 m, time 3.6 s, no assistive device. Output speed: 1.11 m/s. This generally maps to independent community ambulation context with lower fall-risk profile.

Case 2: Moderate mobility limitation context

Input: distance 4.0 m, time 6.0 s, no assistive device. Output speed: 0.67 m/s. This is usually interpreted as higher limitation context and supports structured follow-up discussion.

Case 3: Assisted walking trend context

Input: distance 6.0 m, time 8.0 s, cane use. Output speed: 0.75 m/s. Interpretation should be anchored to assisted performance and compared against future assisted measurements only.

Boundary Conditions

  • The calculator supports educational interpretation and does not produce medical diagnosis.
  • Protocol inconsistency across sessions reduces trend validity.
  • Values should be interpreted with symptoms, comorbidities, and clinician examination context.
  • Assistive-device and unassisted results should not be merged without explicit annotation.
  • Different facilities may use different walk distances and threshold wording.
  • When clinician advice differs from calculator output, clinician advice takes priority.

Sources & References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is gait velocity?
Gait velocity is walking speed, usually expressed in meters per second. It is widely used as a quick functional marker in geriatric assessment and rehabilitation follow-up.
Why is gait speed called the sixth vital sign?
Because it predicts meaningful outcomes, including disability risk, hospitalization risk, and survival trends in older adults. It reflects integrated function across neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, and balance systems.
How is gait velocity calculated?
The formula is simple: gait velocity = distance divided by time. Keep distance and timing protocol consistent across tests to make trend interpretation reliable.
What speed is usually considered low?
Clinical cutoffs vary by context. A commonly used threshold is below 0.8 m/s for elevated concern, and lower bands indicate progressively greater mobility limitation.
Can I compare values from different test distances?
You can, but trend quality is better if the same distance and timing method are used each time. Mixing protocols may introduce measurement noise.
Does assistive-device use change interpretation?
Yes. A value measured with cane or walker describes assisted walking performance, not unassisted capacity. Record device usage in every test log.
Can this calculator diagnose medical conditions?
No. It is an educational support tool for mobility interpretation. Clinical diagnosis and treatment decisions must come from a licensed clinician.
How often should gait speed be rechecked?
Frequency depends on risk level and clinical context. In rehabilitation or high-risk groups, repeated measurements over weeks are often more informative than single snapshots.