Rex says
Everyday utility math — the kind you'd otherwise pull up four browser tabs for. I keep it to one clean answer.
Try a scenario
Click to load — tweak from there.Inputs
Result
Total time on trail
354
Moving time
309
Time added by climbing
66
Average speed (mph)
1.36
Psst — share this and help Rex grow
One click, a permanent link with your numbers baked in.
How to use this
- 1Enter trail distance (mi).
- 2Enter elevation gain (ft).
- 3Enter flat walking pace (mph).
- 4Enter pack weight (lb).
- 5Enter terrain.
- 6Enter break time (min).
- 7Read your total time on trail on the right — it updates as you type.
- 8Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
Naismith's rule with Tranter-style corrections: base walking pace plus a penalty for climbing, adjusted for pack weight and trail conditions, plus break time.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Trail distance: 8 mi
- Elevation gain: 2200 ft
- Flat walking pace: 2.5 mph
- Pack weight: 20 lb
- Terrain: Rocky / rooty
- Break time: 45 min
Results
- Total time on trail: 354
- Moving time: 309
- Time added by climbing: 66
- Average speed (mph): 1.36
What each field means
Inputs
- Trail distance (mi)
- The trail distance used in the calculation, measured in mi. Starts at 8 mi so you have a working example on load.
- Elevation gain (ft)
- The elevation gain used in the calculation, measured in ft. Starts at 2200 ft so you have a working example on load.
- Flat walking pace (mph)
- The flat walking pace used in the calculation, measured in mph. Starts at 2.5 mph so you have a working example on load.
- Pack weight (lb)
- The pack weight used in the calculation, measured in lb. Starts at 20 lb so you have a working example on load.
- Terrain
- Pick the option that matches your situation — the maths changes per option. Choices: Groomed trail, Rocky / rooty, Scree, snow, or bushwhack.
- Break time (min)
- The break time used in the calculation, measured in min. Starts at 45 min so you have a working example on load.
Results
- Total time on trail
- Returned as a length of time and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Moving time
- Returned as a length of time. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Time added by climbing
- Returned as a length of time. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Average speed (mph)
- Returned as a decimal number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
FAQ
Does descent count?
Naismith ignores it, which works for gentle descents. Steep, technical downhill can be as slow as climbing — add terrain difficulty to compensate.
Should I plan turnaround time?
Yes. Take your total, add 25% buffer, and work backwards from sunset to set a hard turnaround.
Accuracy and limitations
- Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.
- Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.
- Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote.
Cite this calculator
Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.
RevenueLab. (2026). Hiking Time Calculator (Naismith's Rule). Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/hiking-time
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/hiking-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hiking Time Calculator (Naismith's Rule) — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [Hiking Time Calculator (Naismith's Rule) — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/hiking-time) (2026).