Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25-FW) Calculator: Two-Trial Timer

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The T25-FW is the walking test in the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite. The person walks a clearly marked 25-foot course as quickly as possible but safely, twice. The score is the average of the two times. This page is built for physical therapists and trained staff. It takes about 5 minutes and needs a measured 25-foot (7.62-meter) path.

⚠️ Safety first

Stand close enough to help if needed, keep the path clear and stop if the person feels dizzy, unsteady or has pain. Let them use their usual assistive device.

How to give the test

Mark a straight 25-foot (7.62 m) course on a level floor, with a clear start line and finish line.
Have the person stand just behind the start line. Tell them to walk 25 feet as quickly as possible, but safely, and not to slow down until after they pass the finish line.
Start timing when you say “Go” and stop when they reach the 25-foot mark.
Have them walk back the same 25 feet right away for Trial 2, using the same instructions.
A short rest between trials is allowed (up to 5 minutes in the MSFC manual). If a trial takes longer than 180 seconds, stop the test.

Assistive device

Prior T25-FW average (optional, sec)

Stopwatch

0.0sec

Trial 1: press Start when you say “Go.”

Or type the times

Trial 1 (seconds)

Trial 2 (seconds)

This is a measurement, not a diagnosis. The T25-FW shows how fast someone walks a short distance. It can’t tell you why walking is slow or what treatment is needed. Only a licensed health care provider who examines the person can do that.

Reading the result

Lower is better. The T25-FW is most useful for tracking the same person over time with the same course, instructions and device. In multiple sclerosis, a 20% or greater increase in time from an earlier test is commonly treated as clinically meaningful (Kaufman et al., 2000). For reference, one study found a median of 3.7 seconds in healthy volunteers and 4.4 seconds in people with MS (Phan-Ba et al., 2011, as listed by the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab).

Sources. National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25-FW), and the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite administration manual (Fischer et al.). Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Rehabilitation Measures Database: Timed 25-Foot Walk. Kaufman M, et al. The significant change for the Timed 25-foot Walk in the multiple sclerosis functional composite. Mult Scler. 2000;6(4):286-290. Phan-Ba R, et al. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2011;25(7):672-679. Holsman Physical Therapy is not affiliated with these organizations, and they do not endorse this website.

Common Questions

What is the Timed 25-Foot Walk?

The Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25-FW) measures how long it takes to walk a marked 25-foot course as quickly as possible but safely. It is the walking part of the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) and is used to track walking and leg function, most often in multiple sclerosis.

How is the T25-FW scored?

The person walks the 25 feet twice, back to back. The score is the average of the two trial times in seconds. Lower times mean faster walking.

What counts as a meaningful change?

In multiple sclerosis, a slowing of 20% or more from an earlier T25-FW is commonly treated as a real, clinically meaningful change (Kaufman et al., 2000). This tool shows the percent change if you enter a prior average.

Can an assistive device be used?

Yes. The person may use their usual cane, walker or brace. Record the device so later tests use the same one.

Is my information saved?

No. Everything runs in your web browser. Nothing is sent to us or stored.

Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25-FW)