Travel Distance to Exit Calculator
The travel distance from the farthest point on a floor to an exit — along the actual path, not the straight line — against the limit your code sets, and the second exit that a long distance forces.
Codes limit how far anyone has to walk to reach an exit: commonly 20 to 40 metres to a single exit, and 40 to 60 metres where there are two.
How the travel distance to exit calculator works
Codes limit how far anyone has to walk to reach an exit: commonly 20 to 40 metres to a single exit, and 40 to 60 metres where there are two. The distance is measured along the path a person walks, around furniture and through doors, which is roughly the straight-line distance times a factor of 1.2 to 1.5.
A floor that fails the single-exit distance needs a second exit, and the two must be far enough apart that one fire cannot block both.
Formula: travel = straight-line distance × path factor; compare against the code limit
Worked examples
| Inputs | Travel distance (m) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 32 m to one exit | 41.6 | fails — needs a second exit |
| With two exits | 41.6 | complies at 40 m |
| Sprinklered | 41.6 | extended limit |
FAQFrequently asked questions
What is travel distance?
How far a person walks from the most remote point on a floor to reach an exit, measured along the route they would actually take.
What are typical limits?
Twenty to forty metres to a single exit and forty to sixty where there are two, depending on the use and the code. Sprinklers usually extend them.
Why the path factor?
Because nobody walks through walls. Measured along corridors and around desks, the route is 20 to 50% longer than the straight line.
What if the distance is exceeded?
Add an exit, move the existing one, or sprinkler the building. A second exit both raises the limit and halves the distance for most of the floor.
Is this the code check?
It is the geometry the code check uses. The limits, the measurement rules and the concessions are set by your code and vary; enter yours.
Where these figures come from
- Sabine (1922) — Collected Papers on Acoustics — the reverberation-time equation
- CIBSE Guide A — Environmental design — daylight, comfort and ventilation criteria
- Neufert — Architects' Data — the standard reference for space and dimension
- International Code Council — International Building Code — occupant load and egress factors
- Building Regulations — Approved Documents — the UK building regulations
Last checked: September 2026. Formulas are the standard building-science and code relationships; default thresholds are common international values and should be replaced with the ones in your code.