Convert Walking Speed (walk) to Foot/Minute (ft/min) instantly.
About these units
Walking Speed (walk)
The average human walking speed is about 1.2–1.4 m/s (4–5 km/h), though this varies with fitness, terrain, age, and purpose. Walking is an energy-efficient mode of locomotion optimized through millions of years of evolution. Humans unconsciously adjust stride frequency, step length, and posture to maintain stability and minimize metabolic cost. Urban planning, pedestrian-safety engineering, and architecture all use walking-speed estimates to design sidewalks, crosswalk timing, and public transportation access. Walking speed is not merely a physical measure—it reflects physiology, psychology, and cultural context.
Foot/Minute (ft/min)
A foot per minute is common in industrial engineering, HVAC air flow analysis, elevator design, and manufacturing processes. Ventilation rates in ducts are often reported in ft/min, making the unit crucial for designing safe and comfortable living spaces. In machining, ft/min corresponds to cutting speed along a tool edge, helping determine tool wear and material removal rates. Despite being less familiar in daily life, ft/min is a key engineering unit.