Hiking Calculators
Free hiking calculators: trail time estimator, pack weight limit, water intake per mile, calorie burn, elevation gain, and blister risk.
Trail time, pack weight, water, food and difficulty. 8 calculators for walkers. Overnight gear and camp systems sit under Camping.
Naismith’s rule has been in use since 1892 and still holds up: an hour for every 5 km, plus an hour for every 600 m of ascent. What it quietly assumes is a moderately fit walker on good trail moving steadily without long stops. Off trail in rough ground the honest correction is 1.5 to 2 times the result, and a heavy pack adds 20 to 30% on top of that.
Tobler’s hiking function is the version search-and-rescue planners and mapping software use, and it captures something Naismith does not. Peak walking speed is not on the flat. It is on a 5% downhill, which is why the formula carries that offset inside the exponent. Speed drops away steeply in both directions from there, so a steep descent is slower than level ground rather than faster.
Water planning is the one to be generous with. Nothing else on this list gets you into trouble as quickly.
Tobler Hiking Function Calculator
Predict walking speed from terrain slope using the Tobler hiking function. Plan trail times accurately on mixed up-and-down terrain for any route.
Hiking Water Between Resupply Points Calculator
Calculate water needed between trail resupply points by distance, hiker weight, temperature, and difficulty. Returns liters, bottles, and water weight.
Hiking Calorie Burn Calculator
Calculate calories burned hiking from your body weight, hours on trail, terrain, ascent, and pack weight. Uses MET values plus an elevation correction.
Hiking Food Plan Calculator
Calculate how much food to pack for a backpacking trip. Based on days, calorie needs, and food weight. Never run low on the trail.
Hiking Pack Weight Calculator
Check if your backpack is the right weight for your body. The 10-20% rule explained. Calculate maximum safe pack weight for day hikes and overnight trips.
Hiking Water Needs Calculator
Calculate how much water to carry hiking. Based on duration, temperature, and exertion level. Prevent dehydration on the trail.
Naismith Rule Hiking Time Calculator
Estimate hiking time using the Naismith Rule: 1 hour per 5 km plus 1 hour per 600 m of ascent. Add correction factors for fitness, pack weight, and terrain.
Trail Difficulty Calculator
Calculate trail difficulty using the Shenandoah formula: Difficulty = √(2 × elevation gain (ft) × distance (miles)). Rate any trail Easy to Strenuous.