Hiking Time Calculator

How to use the calculator

Choose units, enter the distance and total climb and descent from your map or app, then adjust the flat pace and climbing rule to match how you walk. Set break minutes per hour and the range you want to plan around.

What the result means

Eight miles with 2,000 ft of climbing is 3:40 of moving time by Naismith’s rule; with 10 minutes of breaks per hour that becomes about 4:17, or 3:38 to 4:55 with a ±15% range.

Formula and units

Moving time = distance × flat pace + (ascent ÷ 1,000 ft or ÷ 300 m) × ascent minutes + (descent ÷ the same block) × descent minutes. Naismith’s rule is 3 mph (20 min/mi) or 5 km/h (12 min/km) plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft or per 300 m of ascent, with nothing for descent. Break time = moving time × break minutes ÷ 60. Total = moving + breaks; the range is total × (1 ± range %).

Worked examples

8 mi with 2,000 ft of climbing: Distance: 8 mi or km; Total ascent: 2000 ft or m; Total descent: 2000 ft or m; Flat pace (Naismith: 20 min/mi or 12 min/km): 20 min per mi or km; Ascent time (Naismith: 30) per 1,000 ft or per 300 m: 30 min; Descent time added per 1,000 ft or per 300 m (0 = none): 0 min; Breaks per hour of moving: 10 min; Planning range ±: 15 %; Units: imp.
Example result: Total time: 4:17 h:mm; Moving time: 3:40 h:mm; Break time: 0:37 h:mm; Planning range: 3:38 to 4:55 h:mm; Model: Naismith default parameters.

15 km with 900 m up and down: Distance: 15 mi or km; Total ascent: 900 ft or m; Total descent: 900 ft or m; Flat pace (Naismith: 20 min/mi or 12 min/km): 12 min per mi or km; Ascent time (Naismith: 30) per 1,000 ft or per 300 m: 30 min; Descent time added per 1,000 ft or per 300 m (0 = none): 10 min; Breaks per hour of moving: 10 min; Planning range ±: 10 %; Units: met.
Example result: Total time: 5:50 h:mm; Moving time: 5:00 h:mm; Break time: 0:50 h:mm; Planning range: 5:15 to 6:25 h:mm; Model: Naismith-style, your parameters.

Limitations and common mistakes

A planning rule from entered parameters, not a prediction for a particular hiker, trail, pack, weather or daylight. Naismith’s rule was devised for fit walkers on hill paths; rough ground, snow, heat, altitude, navigation and group pace all change real times, and it says nothing about whether a route is safe. Note that 1,000 ft (304.8 m) and 300 m are separate rule blocks, not an exact conversion.

Switching to kilometres but leaving the flat pace at 20 min per mile; change the pace (for example to 12 min/km) when you change units.

Sources and assumptions

Method HIKING-TIME-1.0; last formula review 2026-11-04. Sources and their supported claims. Calculation methodology.