The general recommendation for daily steps for most adults is about 8,000 to 10,000 steps per day to maintain good health

. However, recent research suggests that benefits for longevity and health can start at lower step counts, around 4,000 to 7,000 steps per day, with diminishing returns beyond 10,000 steps

Key points on daily step goals:

• 8,000–10,000 steps per day is a common target for healthy adults to maintain fitness and health

• For adults over 60 years, a lower target of 6,000–8,000 steps per day may be sufficient

• Walking 4,000 steps per day can already reduce the risk of premature death, with benefits increasing as you add more steps

• The original 10,000 steps goal was somewhat arbitrary but has proven to be a reasonable and motivating target

• Intensity of steps (pace) is less important than total step count for health benefits

• Even small increases in daily steps from your baseline can improve health outcomes, so starting with any increase is beneficial

Practical advice:

• Aim for at least 7,000 steps daily if you are an adult under 60.
• For older adults, 6,000 steps daily can be a good goal.
• Increase your steps gradually by adding walking during daily activities, such as walking to transit, taking short walks during breaks, or walking with friends or pets

In summary, while 10,000 steps per day is a widely recognized and reasonable goal, walking as few as 4,000 steps daily can provide significant health benefits, and the ideal number depends on your age and fitness level. Incremental increases in steps are valuable for improving health regardless of the exact target.