Reference speeds
How fast is it?
Average and top speeds for people, bikes, trains, planes and boats, from primary sources. Every page also has a live GPS speedometer, so you can check your own speed against the numbers.
On foot and by bike
Average Walking SpeedAverage walking speed is about 3 mph (4.8 km/h). See walking speed by age and sex from a 23,111-person meta-analysis, then measure your own pace live.Open tool 
How Fast Can a Human Run?How fast can a human run? Usain Bolt peaked at 27.8 mph (44.72 km/h). World record speeds by distance, average runner speeds and a free running speedometer.Open tool 
Average Cycling SpeedAverage cycling speed is about 10–16 mph. See measured US trail speeds, road vs e-bike classes, Tour de France averages and a live GPS bike speedometer.Open tool 
How Fast Do Animals Run?How fast does a cheetah run? 64 mph timed, 58 mph wild. Plus horse, greyhound, pronghorn, ostrich and bear speeds from studies, and a free GPS speedometer.Open tool Trains, planes and boats
How Fast Do Trains GoHow fast do trains go? Amtrak Acela tops 160 mph, most long-distance trains 79 mph, freight 40–60 mph. See FRA limits and check your train live by GPS.Open tool Fastest Trains in the WorldThe fastest train in the world in 2026, in mph and km/h: China's CR400 (217 mph), the 375 mph maglev record, Acela and Brightline, plus a GPS train speedometer.Open tool 
How Fast Do Planes Fly?How fast does a plane fly? Jets cruise near 560 mph at 35,000 ft. Cruise, takeoff and landing speeds by aircraft, plus a free GPS speedometer for your flight.Open tool 
Boat SpeedometerFree GPS boat speedometer: live speed over ground in knots or mph, top speed and trip distance. Plus SOG vs STW, hull speed and no-wake zone rules.Open tool Bullet Train SpeedBullet train speed in mph and km/h: Shinkansen 177–199 mph, maglev 375 mph record, India's 320 km/h MAHSR. Measure your train live with GPS.Open tool More
Need to convert a speed? Use the speed converter, or browse all speed tools.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is on the How fast pages?
Reference speeds for walking, running, cycling, trains, planes and boats, each sourced from primary data, plus a live GPS speedometer tuned for that activity so you can measure your own speed.
Can I measure my own speed on these pages?
Yes. Every How fast page opens with the GPS speedometer, set to a sensible gauge range and unit. Tap Start and allow location; it runs in your browser and sends nothing to our servers.
How do I convert km/h to mph?
Divide by 1.609344 (one mile is exactly 1,609.344 m). 100 km/h is 62.1 mph. Use the speed converter for any unit.
How many mph is a knot?
One knot is one nautical mile (exactly 1,852 m) per hour, about 1.151 mph or exactly 1.852 km/h. Ships and aircraft report speed in knots.