Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician or healthcare provider with questions about your baby's health.
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Few milestones get parents as excited (and nervous) as those first wobbly steps. Walking is a huge developmental leap, and it is completely natural to wonder when it will happen for your baby. The short answer is that the range is wide, and your baby will walk when they are ready.

Here is everything you need to know about the walking timeline and how you can support your little one.

The Typical Walking Timeline

Most babies take their first independent steps somewhere between 9 and 15 months, with the average being around 12 months. But plenty of babies do not walk until 16, 17, or even 18 months, and that can be perfectly normal.

Some babies are early walkers because they are highly motivated to move. Others prefer crawling because it is faster and more efficient for them. Some skip crawling altogether and go straight to cruising and walking. There is no single "right" path to walking.

Stages Before Walking

Walking does not come out of nowhere. Your baby has been building up to it for months. Here are the stages you will likely see along the way:

Pulling to Stand (8 to 10 Months)

Your baby grabs onto furniture, your hands, or anything sturdy to pull themselves up to a standing position. This is a major strength milestone and a sign that walking is on the horizon.

Cruising (9 to 12 Months)

Once standing, many babies start sidestepping while holding onto furniture. This is called cruising, and it is your baby's way of practicing balance and weight-shifting before they let go.

Standing Alone (10 to 13 Months)

At some point, your baby will let go of the furniture and stand on their own for a few seconds. You might notice them standing and not even realizing they have let go. These moments of independent balance are building blocks for walking.

First Steps (9 to 15 Months)

The first steps are usually a bit of a lurch, with arms held wide for balance. It is adorable and a little scary. Most babies fall a lot at this stage, and that is completely expected. Within a few weeks of those first steps, their confidence and coordination will improve quickly.

How to Encourage Your Baby to Walk

You cannot rush walking, but you can create an environment that supports your baby's natural motivation to move:

Do Babies Need Shoes?

When your baby is learning to walk indoors, barefoot is generally best. Bare feet allow babies to grip the floor with their toes, feel the surface beneath them, and build foot strength naturally.

Once your baby is walking outside, a pair of lightweight, flexible shoes with a non-slip sole will protect their feet. Look for shoes with a wide toe box that let their feet move naturally. Heavy, stiff shoes can actually make it harder for new walkers to balance.

Baby-Proofing for New Walkers

Once your baby starts walking, they can reach and access a lot more. This is a good time to do another round of baby-proofing:

When to Talk to Your Pediatrician

Since the walking timeline varies so much, try not to compare your baby to others. That said, consider checking in with your pediatrician if:

Your pediatrician can assess your child and, if needed, refer you to early intervention services. Early support always leads to better outcomes.

Record Those First Steps with Remi

From pulling to stand to walking across the room, Remi helps you log every milestone so you will always remember when it happened.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average age for a baby to start walking?
Most babies take their first independent steps between 9 and 15 months, with the average being around 12 months. However, some babies walk as late as 17 or 18 months and are still within a typical range.
Do walkers or push toys help babies learn to walk?
Push toys that your baby walks behind can be helpful for practicing balance. However, seated baby walkers are not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics due to safety concerns. Talk to your pediatrician if you have questions about which products are safe.
Should my baby wear shoes when learning to walk?
Barefoot is generally best for learning to walk indoors. Going barefoot helps babies develop foot muscles and get sensory feedback from the ground. Shoes are mainly needed for protection when walking outdoors.