Convert daily step count to approximate calories burned.
The popular goal of 10,000 steps/day originated from a Japanese marketing campaign in the 1960s, but research supports it as a reasonable health target. Studies show significant health benefits between 7,000–9,000 steps/day, with diminishing returns above 12,000.
One mile is approximately 2,000–2,500 steps depending on stride length and height. Calories per step range from 0.03–0.06 kcal depending on body weight and pace.