Is the walking distance calculator free to use?

Yes, this walking distance calculator is completely free. You can plot as many routes as you want, check elevation data, and download GPX files without paying anything or creating an account.

How accurate is the distance measurement?

The calculator uses the Haversine formula, which measures the true distance between points on a curved surface like the Earth. When you turn on "Snap route to walking paths," the tool follows real sidewalks and trails, making the measurement even closer to your actual walking distance.

What does snap route to walking paths do?

When you turn this on, the route follows real roads, sidewalks, and trails instead of drawing straight lines between your points. This gives you a more realistic distance because it matches the path you would actually walk.

Can I use this tool on my phone?

Yes, the calculator works on phones and tablets. You can tap the map to add waypoints, drag markers to move them, and pinch to zoom in or out. All features work the same as on a computer.

What is a GPX file and what can I do with it?

A GPX file is a standard file format that stores route data. You can open it in fitness apps like Strava, Garmin Connect, AllTrails, and Google Earth. It saves your waypoints, route path, and elevation data so you can follow the route later or log it as a workout.

How is walk time estimated?

The tool multiplies your total distance by your walking pace. The default pace is 3.1 mph (5.0 km/h), which equals about 19.4 minutes per mile. You can enter your own pace in the custom pace field for a more personal estimate.

What do elevation gain and elevation loss mean?

Elevation gain is the total amount you climb uphill during your walk. Elevation loss is the total amount you go downhill. These numbers help you understand how hilly your route is. A route with high elevation gain will be harder and take more energy than a flat one.

Where does the elevation data come from?

The tool first shows an estimated elevation profile, then tries to fetch real elevation data from the Open Elevation API. If live data is available, the chart and numbers update automatically. If the API is unavailable, the estimated profile stays in place.

Can I add a point in the middle of my route?

Yes. Click directly on a route line between two existing waypoints. A new point will be inserted at that spot. You can then drag it to fine-tune your path.

How do I delete a single waypoint without clearing the whole route?

Click on the marker you want to remove so it is selected, then press the Delete or Backspace key on your keyboard. You can also click "Undo last point" to remove the most recently added waypoint.

What does the reverse route button do?

It adds a return trip that traces your route back to the starting point. This is useful for out-and-back walks. The return leg shows as a dashed line on the map so you can tell it apart from the outbound path.

Does the calculator account for hills when estimating walk time?

No, the walk time estimate is based only on distance and your pace setting. Hills will slow you down in real life, so plan extra time if your route has a lot of elevation gain.

How many waypoints can I add?

There is no fixed limit. You can add as many waypoints as you need to trace your exact walking path. More waypoints let you follow curves and turns more closely.

What is a good walking pace for beginners?

A comfortable pace for most beginners is about 20 minutes per mile, or roughly 3 miles per hour. As you build fitness, you can aim for a brisk pace of 15 minutes per mile (4 mph). Enter your pace in the custom pace field to get a personalized time estimate.

Can I measure a round-trip walking route?

Yes. You can either click your waypoints in a loop that returns to your start, or use the "Add reverse route" button to automatically trace your path back. Both methods give you the full round-trip distance.

Why is my snapped route different from the straight-line route?

Straight-line mode draws a direct line between each pair of waypoints. Snapped mode follows actual walking paths, sidewalks, and roads, which curve and turn. The snapped distance is almost always longer and more realistic.

Does the tool save my route automatically?

No, your route is not saved when you leave the page. To keep your route, click the "Download GPX" button before you close the page. You can reload that file into any mapping or fitness app later.

What is the default walking speed used by the calculator?

The default speed is 3.1 miles per hour, which equals 5.0 kilometers per hour. This is an average casual walking speed for most adults. You can change it by entering a custom pace.

Health calculators

Walking Distance Calculator

Updated Jul 8, 2026 By Jehan Wadia

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