What Is the Distance Around a Running Track for Each Lane?
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What Is the Distance Around a Running Track for Each Lane?

Standard running tracks are usually 400 meters. But this measurement is only for the inside lane. Here’s how to figure out the other distances.
What Is the Distance Around a Running Track for Each Lane?
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Updated on August 7, 2025
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Running at a track can be a great way to get in interval workouts or timed trials without traffic or distractions. But if you're going to properly log your workouts, it's important to know the distance around each lane.

Read on to learn more about the measurements for most modern tracks built to today’s standards, as well as the math behind them.

Modern Track Design

Most running tracks built today are designed to be in compliance with guidelines established by World Athletics. The measuring line, which is 20 to 30 centimeters from the inside of the track, measures 400 meters (m), making lane 1 (the inside lane) 400 m.

A 400 m running track features two bends with a 36.5 m radius each. They are joined by two straights that are 84.39 m in length.

The Distances Around Each Lane

Because the distance around the track in lane 1 (the inside lane) is 400 m, the distance around the track for the other lanes can be calculated by knowing the lane width and a few other measurements:

  • Lane distance (L)
  • Length of the straightaway (S)
  • Radius of the turn (R)
  • Lane number (n)
  • Width of the lane (w)

Here’s the formula for determining track length: L = 2S + 2pi(R + (n-1)w)

World Athletics has standardized track lane widths at 1.22 m, so here's how that formula is applied for each lane on a 400 m standard track, plus the equivalent distances in feet and miles:

Running Track Lane Distances

LaneMetersMilesFeet
14000.2481,312.34
2407.670.2531,337.5
3415.330.2581,362.63
44230.2621,387.8
5430.660.2671,412.92
6438.330.2721,438.09
74460.2771,463.25
8453.660.2811,488.38

So, each lane adds 7.67 meters as you move outward from the inside track to the last one. If you're using the outer lanes, that extra distance can add up quickly: Four times around the track in lane 4 is almost 1,700 m, which is 100 m more than the distance in lane 1.

Running in lane 8? Four laps will add up to almost 1,815 m, or 215 m further than if you'd ran in lane 1.

Resources We Trust

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Technical Rules. World Athletics. November 1, 2019.
  2. Running Track Lane Distances. Run Hive.
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