Outdoor Skill · Navigation
Count Your Paces
Knowing your pace count turns any trail or open field into a map you can read with your own two feet. This lesson shows families how to measure a personal 100-meter pace count and use it to estimate distance on the go. Five minutes of practice is all it takes to carry this skill for life.
This page from Outside, the family adventure app, teaches families how to determine and use a personal 100-meter pace count for estimating distance in the field. It covers how to measure a baseline pace count on flat ground, how to run a simple practice drill with kids ages 4-14, how conditions like hills and terrain affect accuracy, and practical situations where the skill proves useful on hikes and camping trips. Key facts include that most adults cover 100 meters in roughly 60-70 double paces, while children take more. The page is part of Outside's Navigation skill category and is designed to be learned in five to fifteen minutes.
| Cost | Free |
|---|---|
| Season | Any |
| Best ages | 4 to 14 |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Time to learn | 5 to 15 minutes |
What a pace count actually is
A pace count is the number of times one foot strikes the ground while you walk a known distance. Most navigators count every time the same foot lands, so one "pace" equals two steps. Walk 100 meters, count how many times your right foot hits the dirt, and you have your personal 100-meter pace count.
Adults typically land somewhere between 60 and 70 double paces per 100 meters on flat ground. Kids run higher numbers because their strides are shorter. Every person's count is their own, and that is the whole point: once you know yours, you carry a built-in measuring tool everywhere you go.
How to find your count
You need a flat stretch of ground and a measured 100 meters. In a pinch, use a standard American football field: end zone to end zone is about 91 meters, close enough to calibrate.
1. Mark a start line. 2. Walk at your normal, relaxed hiking pace. Do not try to take big or small steps on purpose. 3. Count every time your right foot lands. Stop at 100 meters and write the number down. 4. Walk back and count again. Take the average of two or three runs.
That average is your baseline pace count. Write it inside the cover of a small notebook or on a piece of athletic tape on the back of your water bottle. It does no good stored only in your head on day one.
Practice drill: the driveway hundred
No football field nearby? Measure 100 meters with a tape measure or mark it using your car's odometer on a quiet road. A standard driveway or neighborhood block works fine for a rough calibration.
**Run it like this.** Each person walks the 100 meters alone, at their own pace, while one parent times and one kid counts aloud. Then switch roles. Record everyone's count on a shared index card labeled with the date and terrain type.
For younger kids, try 50 meters and double the result. Make it a contest: who can walk the most consistently and land within two paces of their own average across three runs? Consistency matters more than a low number. A reliable count you can repeat is more useful than a fast one you cannot.
Adjusting for real trail conditions
Flat pavement and a mountain switchback are different worlds. Your pace count will change whenever conditions change, and knowing the direction of that change is more useful than memorizing exact corrections.
- **Uphill:** Your steps shorten. Your count per 100 meters goes up. - **Downhill:** Your stride lengthens. Your count goes down. - **Brush, sand, or snow:** All slow you down and shorten your stride. Count goes up. - **Heavy pack:** Similar effect to uphill. Plan for a higher count.
A practical rule for family hiking: on rough or hilly terrain, trust your count as a rough estimate, not a precise measurement. Being within 10 to 15 percent of the true distance is genuinely useful. You are building situational awareness, not surveying a property line.
When you will actually use this
Pace counting earns its keep in situations where you cannot see far ahead and the trail is unclear. A few honest examples from family hiking:
- You know the trail junction is 400 meters from the creek crossing. Count four sets of your 100-meter count and look for the junction. If you pass it, you have walked too far. - You are navigating a meadow with no obvious landmarks. Pace counting lets you track rough distance even when the view does not help. - Kids love being given the job of official pace counter on a trail. Handing a nine-year-old that responsibility is one of the fastest ways to keep them engaged on a long approach.
Pair pace counting with a simple trail map and a compass bearing and you have the foundation of land navigation. Most families never need more than this combination on a day hike.
After your next walk or hike, write down each family member's pace count and one thing that surprised you about how different they were from each other.
Frequently asked questions
How many paces does it take to walk 100 meters?
Most adults cover 100 meters in roughly 60 to 70 double paces on flat ground, counting every time the same foot lands. Children typically need more paces because their strides are shorter. The only reliable number is your own, measured on a known distance and averaged across two or three walks.
Can kids learn to use a pace count?
Yes, and most kids take to it quickly. Children as young as six or seven can count double paces reliably with a little practice. Giving a child the official job of pace counter on a hike keeps them focused and builds a real navigation skill. Start with shorter distances, like 50 meters, and have them double the result.
Does pace counting work on hilly trails?
It works as a rough guide, not a precise measurement. Your paces shorten going uphill and lengthen going downhill, so your count per 100 meters shifts with the terrain. On uneven family hikes, treat your pace count as a reasonable estimate and expect to be within about 10 to 15 percent of the actual distance. That margin is still very useful for trail navigation.
What if I forget my pace count in the field?
Write it somewhere physical before you go out: inside a notebook cover, on a strip of athletic tape on your water bottle, or on a laminated card clipped to your pack. Trusting your memory after a long day on trail is less reliable than a number written in pencil. Once you have practiced it a dozen times, the count becomes second nature and the backup is just insurance.