How long does it take to walk 3 km?
About 37 min at an average 3 mph walking pace, or 32 min if you walk briskly at 3.5 mph. Three kilometres is 1.86 miles, a little under two miles. It fits neatly into a lunch break at an easy pace.
Your time for 3 km
1.86 miles · 3.00 km · about 4,300 steps at your height. Climbing uses Naismith's rule (+1 hour per 600 m / ~2,000 ft of ascent).
Time to walk 3 km at common speeds
| Speed | Pace / mile | Time | Typical of |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 mph · 3.2 km/h | 30:00 | 56 min | Stroll |
| 2.5 mph · 4.0 km/h | 24:00 | 45 min | Average |
| 3.0 mph · 4.8 km/h | 20:00 | 37 min | Brisk |
| 3.5 mph · 5.6 km/h | 17:09 | 32 min | Brisk |
| 4.0 mph · 6.4 km/h | 15:00 | 28 min | Power walk |
| 4.5 mph · 7.2 km/h | 13:20 | 25 min | Power walk |
| 5.0 mph · 8.0 km/h | 12:00 | 22 min | Race walk |
What changes the answer
Hills. Hiking guides use Naismith's rule: allow an extra hour for every 600 m (about 2,000 ft) of climbing on top of the flat-ground time. Enter your route's elevation gain above to include it.
Terrain. Rough trails, sand, snow and mud slow everyone down, often well beyond what the climb alone explains. Plan conservatively off-road.
Traffic lights and crowds. City walks are usually slower than a treadmill at the same effort because of crossings.
Fatigue. On long walks most people slow in the final miles; experienced walkers on Reddit's r/walking say the same. Breaks of 5–10 minutes an hour keep the overall pace steadier.
Fitness and age. Comfortable walking speed stays around 3 mph through middle age and drifts down after 60 — see average walking speed by age.
Want to know your own pace first? Time a mile and plug it into the walking pace calculator, or plan any route with the walking time calculator.
Questions walkers ask
How long does it take to walk 3 km?
At an average pace of 3 mph, walking 3 km (1.86 miles, 3.0 km) takes about 37 min. A brisk 3.5 mph cuts it to 32 min; a relaxed 2.5 mph stretches it to 45 min.
How long is 3 km at a fast walk?
A fast power walk of 4 mph covers 3 km in about 28 min, before any stops.
How many steps is 3 km?
Most adults take 2,000–2,400 steps per mile, so 3 km is roughly 3,700–4,500 steps. Taller walkers and faster paces sit at the low end.
How many calories does walking 3 km burn?
At 3 mph on flat ground, about 148 calories for a 150 lb (68 kg) person and 197 for a 200 lb (91 kg) person, using Compendium of Physical Activities MET values. Hills and faster speeds burn more.
Can the average person walk 3 km?
Yes. Most healthy adults can walk 3 km without special training, though if you are new to walking, build up over a few weeks and wear comfortable shoes.