MinimalistHow long does it take to walk a mile or a kilometer?
Most adults walk a mile in about 15 to 20 minutes, and a kilometer in about 10 to 12 minutes. At an average pace of 3 mph (5 km/h), that’s 20 minutes per mile and 12 minutes per kilometer.
Your own time depends on your pace, your route and how many times you stop. The tables below help you plan a walk from either end: how long a distance will take, or how far you’ll get in the time you have.
Time per mile and per kilometer
| Walking pace | Speed | 1 km | 1 mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leisurely | 4 km/h (2.5 mph) | 15 min | 24 min |
| Average | 5 km/h (3.1 mph) | 12 min | 19 min |
| Brisk | 6 km/h (3.7 mph) | 10 min | 16 min |
| Very brisk | 6.5 km/h (4.0 mph) | 9 min | 15 min |
For context: a beginner running gently might cover a mile in roughly 11–14 minutes, so the gap between a very brisk walk and an easy jog is smaller than many people expect. If you’re curious about where you sit, see our guide to average walking speed.
How long to walk common distances
| Distance | Leisurely (4 km/h) | Average (5 km/h) | Brisk (6 km/h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 15 min | 12 min | 10 min |
| 1 mile (1.6 km) | 24 min | 19 min | 16 min |
| 2 miles (3.2 km) | 48 min | 39 min | 32 min |
| 5 km (3.1 mi) | 1 h 15 min | 1 h | 50 min |
| 5 miles (8 km) | 2 h | 1 h 37 min | 1 h 20 min |
| 10 km (6.2 mi) | 2 h 30 min | 2 h | 1 h 40 min |
These are moving times. Real walks include crossings, a pause to look at something, maybe a coffee. For an everyday city walk, adding 10% to these figures is a sensible planning buffer.
How far can you walk in 30, 45 or 60 minutes?
Often the real question isn’t distance but time: you have half an hour at lunch, or an hour before dinner. Here’s how far that gets you.
| Time | Leisurely | Average | Brisk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 min | 1 km (0.6 mi) | 1.25 km (0.8 mi) | 1.5 km (0.9 mi) |
| 30 min | 2 km (1.2 mi) | 2.5 km (1.6 mi) | 3 km (1.9 mi) |
| 45 min | 3 km (1.9 mi) | 3.75 km (2.3 mi) | 4.5 km (2.8 mi) |
| 60 min | 4 km (2.5 mi) | 5 km (3.1 mi) | 6 km (3.7 mi) |
For an out-and-back walk, turn around at half your available time, not half the distance you hope to cover. Most people walk back a little slower than they walked out.
What makes a mile take longer
Hills
Climbing slows almost everyone down. Hikers often use a rule of thumb known as Naismith’s rule: allow about an hour for every 5 km of distance, plus an extra hour for every 600 meters of climbing (roughly 2,000 feet). It’s a planning aid for trails rather than a precise formula, but it shows how much ascent can add. If you’re heading for hillier terrain, our beginner’s guide to hiking has more.
Surface and weather
Sand, snow, mud and rough trails can add a few minutes per kilometer. So can a strong headwind or icy patches where you naturally shorten your stride.
City stops
Traffic lights and busy sidewalks can easily add several minutes to a two-mile city walk without changing your effort at all.
Company
Walking with young children, a dog that sniffs every lamppost, or a friend you’re deep in conversation with will slow you down. That’s often the best kind of walk anyway.
How to find your own time per mile
General tables are a starting point. Your personal pace is more useful for planning, and it’s easy to find:
- Walk a familiar route at your normal pace for at least 20 minutes.
- Record it with a GPS tracker, or time yourself over a known distance such as four laps of the inside lane of a 400-meter track (1,600 meters, just under a mile).
- Note your average pace in minutes per km or per mile.
- Repeat on two or three other days and take the middle value.
Expect your pace to drift a little from day to day. Being tired, carrying a bag, or walking right after a meal can each add a minute or so per mile. That’s normal and not a sign of lost fitness. Look at the trend over several weeks; if your usual loop slowly gets quicker at the same effort, your walking fitness is improving.
Minimalist shows your average pace after each walk in kilometers or miles, so over a few weeks you’ll see your typical number without doing any math.
Using time per mile to plan your week
Once you know your pace, turning health guidelines into distance is simple. The WHO recommends 150–300 minutes of moderate activity a week for adults, and brisk walking counts. At a brisk 16 minutes per mile (10 minutes per km):
- 150 minutes is about 9.3 miles, or 15 km, a week.
- That’s roughly a 30-minute walk on five days, each around 1.9 miles (3 km).
- 300 minutes is about 19 miles, or 30 km, a week.
Over a month, 150 minutes a week adds up to roughly 60–65 km (about 40 miles), which makes a natural starting point for a monthly walking goal. If daily walks are hard to fit in, look at easy ways to walk more without finding extra time.
FAQ
Is a 20-minute mile good?
Yes. A 20-minute mile is right around the average adult walking pace of 3 mph. It’s a perfectly good, purposeful walk.
Is walking a mile in 15 minutes fast?
For walking, yes. A 15-minute mile is 4 mph, which is a very brisk pace that many people can’t hold for long without breaking into a jog.
How many minutes is 1 km walking?
About 10 to 12 minutes at a normal to brisk pace, and up to 15 minutes at a relaxed stroll.