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Motion and speed

Walking

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

How big is it?

1.389 m/s · speed

Also 3.107 mph

Speed · example

Scale illustration of a walking pace, showing the recorded speed.
Recorded speed: 1.389 m/s.

A little perspective

Walking vs Venetian gondola: speed comparison

The cruising speed of a Venetian gondola is about 1.08 times a walking pace.

Scale

DISTANCE IN ONE SECOND

Walking

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

1.389 m/sSpeed
0

1.389 m in 1 s

Venetian gondola

A Venetian gondola is a traditional, flat-bottomed rowing boat used for transport on the canals of Venice.

1.5 m/sDefined cruising speed
0

1.5 m in 1 s

Each track shows distance covered in the same second. The small illustrations identify the movers; their sizes are schematic.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +

Walking

Speed: 1.389 m/s; example.

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

Defined examples — our methodology

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

Venetian gondola

Defined cruising speed: 1.5 m/s; representative; range 1 m/s–2 m/s.

A traditional Venetian gondola approximately 10.85 m long and 600 kg unladen, shown at a defined 1.5 m/s cruising pace. Handmade boats vary slightly; hull length excludes the removable ferro and raised oar.

Encyclopaedia Britannica — Gondola

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

Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.

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Why this measurement?

Why we use 1.389 m/s

We compare a walking pace. This is an illustrative comparison value, not a claim that every example is the same.

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

The picture identifies the subject; the diagram compares the recorded values. How calibrated comparisons work →

Explore motion and speed →

Recorded properties

Dimensions and measurements

PropertySelected valueRecorded rangeBasis
1.389 m/sNot recordedexample

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Sources and method

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The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.

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