Is a Higher Running Cadence Always Better? 180 Steps per Minute Isn’t Right for Everyone

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You check your fitness watch and see that your cadence is only 155 or 160 steps per minute. Then you remember the “180 steps per minute” figure that keeps appearing online, and you start wondering:

Is my cadence too low? Does that mean there is something wrong with my running form?

Not necessarily. 180 steps per minute is not a standard that every runner needs to reach.

The number became widely known partly because of American running coach and exercise physiologist Jack Daniels. At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Daniels and his wife observed approximately 47 elite runners and found that only one had a cadence below 180 steps per minute.

However, those observations involved elite athletes competing at Olympic race pace. They were field observations made during competition—not a controlled experiment—and cannot simply be turned into a universal standard for recreational runners.

For most runners, what matters more than asking “How far am I from 180?” is this:

1. If Your Cadence Is Below 180, Does That Mean Your Running Form Is Wrong?

Running cadence, also called cadence or step rate, refers to the total number of steps both feet take in one minute. It is usually measured in steps per minute (SPM).

This number naturally changes with running speed and individual movement patterns. The same runner may have a relatively lower cadence during an Easy Run, while cadence will usually increase as running speed rises.

So if your cadence is 160 SPM during an easy jog, that number alone does not mean your running form is “wrong”.

Instead of focusing only on the number, pay attention to:

• Are your legs reaching noticeably far in front of your body when you try to run faster?
• Is your stride becoming so long that your movement starts to feel stiff?
• Can your body remain stable as you increase your speed?
• Does your current rhythm feel natural, relaxed and sustainable?

Cadence is only one part of your running mechanics. It is not a scorecard for your running form.

2. Cadence and Stride Length Matter More Than 180

A study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise tested 45 healthy recreational runners. Researchers had them run at the same speed using their preferred cadence and then at step rates 5% and 10% higher than their natural rhythm.

The results showed that increasing step rate shortened step length and changed several measures related to movement and loading at the knees, hips and other areas.

That means adjusting cadence is not simply about “moving your feet faster”. It also changes your stride length and the way your body moves while running.

So instead of forcing yourself to chase 180 SPM, look at what your current workout actually requires:

• Easy Run: If your stride feels natural and your movement is stable, there is no need to deliberately increase your cadence.
• Want to Run Faster: Do not rely only on making your stride longer. You can experiment with increasing your cadence slightly by around 3%–5%.
• Tempo Run: Your cadence can increase naturally as your speed rises. There is no need to lock it at 180 SPM.
• New to Running or Returning After a Break: Focus on getting your movement stable first before thinking about changing your cadence.

The goal is not to find one universal number. It is to help your speed, cadence and stride length work together more naturally.

3. Want to Adjust Your Cadence? Don’t Jump Straight from 160 to 180

If you do want to experiment with your cadence, start from your natural rhythm and make only a small adjustment.

For example, if your natural cadence is 160 SPM, you could first increase it by around 3%–5%, bringing it to approximately 165–168 SPM, rather than jumping straight to 180.

A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Sports Medicine – Open included 37 studies examining how changes in running step rate affect biomechanics, performance and injury.

The findings showed that increasing step rate generally shortened step length and changed some biomechanical and loading measures at the knees, hips, ankles and other areas.

However, current evidence is still insufficient to show that increasing cadence will necessarily reduce running injuries or improve running performance.

4. Use 15 Minutes on a Treadmill to Find Your Natural Cadence

When using the DeerRun A6 Plus, choose an Easy Run speed that you can maintain comfortably. Keep your speed and incline relatively consistent while observing how your cadence changes.

4.1 0–5 Minutes: Run at Your Natural Rhythm | About 160 SPM

With the handrail raised, the DeerRun A6 Plus supports speeds up to 12 km/h.

Choose a comfortable Easy Run speed and use around 160 SPM as an example reference point. Do not intentionally change your cadence yet. Simply notice how your stride length and overall movement feel at your natural rhythm.

4.2 5–10 Minutes: Increase Slightly | About 165 SPM

Try to keep your speed roughly the same while increasing your cadence from 160 SPM to around 165 SPM, or roughly 3%–5%.

Pay attention to whether your stride naturally becomes shorter and whether your body can remain relaxed.

4.3 10–15 Minutes: Return to Your Natural Rhythm | About 160 SPM

Finally, return your cadence to around 160 SPM and compare how the two rhythms feel.

If your movement feels smoother at 165 SPM, you can continue experimenting with this kind of small adjustment in future workouts. If you feel more tense instead, there is no need to deliberately increase your cadence.

With the handrail folded down, the DeerRun A6 Plus supports 1–6 km/h; raising the handrail allows speeds of up to 12 km/h. Its 5% manual incline offers another training option, while PitPat can help record speed and workout duration.

This makes it easier to experiment with small cadence adjustments at a similar speed, changing one variable at a time and finding the rhythm that genuinely works for you.

Conclusion | 180 Isn’t a Passing Grade for Running

If you see that your cadence is below 180 SPM, you do not need to correct it immediately.

First, look at whether your speed, stride length and overall movement feel natural. If you do want to experiment with cadence, follow this order:

Current research supports the idea that changing cadence can affect running mechanics and certain measures of physical loading.

But there is still not enough evidence to say that every runner should aim for a higher cadence.

So don’t chase 180. Start by finding a rhythm that feels natural, stable and right for you.