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Pace Counter & Pacing Calculator
Measure distance by counting your paces — the classic micro-navigation skill for mist, snow and featureless ground. Calibrate once, then let it count for you.
Jump straight to any free Lake District tool.
1. Your pacing
How many double-paces (count each time the same foot lands) it takes you to cover 100 m. The defaults are a sensible Lakeland starting point — adjust to your own stride and save them.
How do I calibrate this?
Find a measured 100 m of similar ground (a marked path, two fence posts, or use the OS Grid Reference converter to mark out 100 m). Walk it at your normal loaded pace and count every time your right foot touches down. That number is your double-pace count for that ground type.
2. This leg
Enter the distance to your next feature (from your map or route card) and the ground type.
Pacing in a nutshell
When you can't see your next landmark, you measure the leg on the map, set off on your compass bearing and count your paces until you've covered that distance. Many walkers use a set of pacing beads — slide one bead along for every 100 m — but your phone can do the counting for you. Pace it, time it (Naismith), and trust both together. Pair this with the Walking Compass for the bearing and the Route Card Builder for the leg distances.
Disclaimer
This pace counter is provided free of charge for general guidance only, on an "as is" basis, as a navigation aid to help you estimate distance covered on the ground. It is not a substitute for proper hill skills, navigation, training or your own judgement, and it should never be used as your only means of finding your way.
Pace counting is approximate. The distance shown depends entirely on how accurately you have calibrated your pace, and your real pace length varies considerably with slope, terrain underfoot, the weight you're carrying, tiredness, weather and visibility. Counts can also be lost if you miss or double a tap. Any distance shown may be wrong, so always re-calibrate for the conditions and cross-check your position against your map, compass and the features around you.
You should always carry an appropriate map and compass, suitable equipment and supplies, check the mountain weather forecast, tell someone your plans, and have the navigation skills and experience needed before setting out. Use of this tool is entirely at your own risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, TheLakeDistrict.com accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss, injury, damage, delay, accident or inconvenience arising directly or indirectly from use of this tool or reliance on the information it provides. Nothing in this disclaimer excludes or limits any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
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