About distance–time graphs

A distance–time graph shows how far an object has travelled from its starting point as time passes. The x-axis is time (seconds) and the y-axis is distance (metres).

The gradient (slope) of the line tells you the speed:

• Steeper gradient: higher speed.
• Horizontal line: the object is stationary.
• Straight sloping line: constant speed.
• Curved line: changing speed (acceleration or deceleration).

In this simulator we track distance (total path length), not displacement. That means the graph never goes down: it either increases (when you move) or stays flat (when you stop), even if you walk backwards.