Everyday quantities

Walking vs Running

What are they, and what does the difference actually look like?

Two things. One honest scale.

Meet the pair

What these two things are

Walking

Walking is a form of human locomotion where one foot is always in contact with the ground.

1.389 m/sSpeed

Running

Running is a method of terrestrial locomotion in which humans move rapidly on foot, with both feet leaving the ground during each stride.

2.778 m/sSpeed

Running moves about 2 times as fast as Walking.

Equal time
DISTANCE IN ONE SECOND1.389 m in 1 s2.778 m in 1 s
01
Walking1.389 m/sSpeed
02
Running2.778 m/sSpeed
Each track shows distance covered in the same second. The small illustrations identify the movers; their sizes are schematic.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +

Walking

A constant 5 km/h walking model, excluding stops.

Defined examples — our methodology

The marked speed is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.

Running

A chosen steady 10 km/h run.

Defined examples — our methodology

The marked speed is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.

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Measurement details

Why these numbers?

The visual compares speed with speed. The records below preserve each value’s basis and caveats.

Walking

1.389 m/s

Speed · example

A constant 5 km/h walking model, excluding stops.

Running

2.778 m/s

Speed · example

A chosen steady 10 km/h run.

Comparing
Speed ↔ Speed
Relative size
Running is larger on this measurement by a factor of about 2. Running's selected measurement is approximately 100% greater than Walking's.

How to read the visual

The labelled spans and stored measurements determine the scale; unmeasured illustration details do not.

  • Walking is labelled example; treat the displayed value as a comparison anchor rather than false precision.
  • Running is labelled example; treat the displayed value as a comparison anchor rather than false precision.

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