10,000 steps is roughly 4.5–5 miles , which is about 7–8 km for most adults.

Why it’s an estimate, not exact

The exact distance depends on your stride length , which is affected by your height, walking speed, and even the terrain.

  • Shorter stride (often shorter height, slower pace) → closer to 3.7–4.4 miles (about 6–7 km).
  • Longer stride (taller, faster pace or light jog) → closer to 4.9–6 miles (about 8–9.5 km).

A practical example: one health calculator notes that 10,000 walking steps at about 3 mph works out to around 4.4–4.5 miles. Another guide puts the general range at 3.7–4.9 miles once you factor in average differences in height and speed.

Quick rule of thumb

If you want a simple mental shortcut:

  • Assume 2,000–2,500 steps ≈ 1 mile for walking.
  • So 10,000 steps ≈ 4–5 miles (around 6.5–8 km).

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.