Pace Calculator
Find your running pace, finish time or distance, with a simple splits table for your race.
Results
| Item | Value |
|---|
Splits
| Distance | Time |
|---|
Quick Answer
Pace equals time divided by distance. For example, running 5 km in 25 minutes is a pace of 5:00 per kilometer, or about 8:03 per mile. To find finish time, multiply pace by distance: 10:00 per mile for 26.2 miles takes 4 hours 22 minutes.
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Table of Contents
- Pace Calculator
- Quick Answer
- Related Calculators
- How This Pace Calculator Works
- How to Use the Pace Calculator
- Core Formulas
- Worked Example
- Real-Life Examples
- Even Pace vs Negative Splits
- Race Finish Times by Pace
- Using Your Pace
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References & Sources
How This Pace Calculator Works
Pace tells you how long it takes to cover one kilometer or mile. Enter any two of distance, time and pace, and the calculator works out the third. It also shows your speed and an even-pace splits table.
Quick explanation: Pace = time ÷ distance.
- Find pace: enter a distance and a time.
- Find finish time: enter a distance and a pace.
- Find distance: enter a time and a pace.
How to Use the Pace Calculator
- Choose what you want to find: pace, finish time or distance.
- Pick kilometers or miles, or choose a race distance such as 5K or marathon.
- Enter the two values you know, such as distance and time.
- Press Calculate to see pace per km and per mile, finish time and speed.
- Use the splits table to see the time you should reach at each km or mile.
Core Formulas
- Pace: time ÷ distance
- Finish time: pace × distance
- Distance: time ÷ pace
- Speed (km/h): 3,600 ÷ seconds per kilometer
One mile is 1.609344 kilometers. A half marathon is 21.0975 km, and a marathon is 42.195 km.
Worked Example
You want to run a 10K in 50 minutes.
- Pace = 50:00 ÷ 10 km = 5:00 per kilometer
- Pace per mile = 5:00 × 1.609344 = about 8:03
- Speed = 12 km/h, or about 7.46 mph
Real-Life Examples
- Setting a race goal: to finish a half marathon in 2 hours, you need about 9:09 per mile, or 5:41 per kilometer.
- Treadmill running: a treadmill set to 6.0 mph is a 10:00 mile pace. At 7.5 mph it is 8:00 per mile.
- Planning a long run: 16 miles at an easy 10:30 per mile takes 2:48:00, so plan water and food for nearly 3 hours.
- Checking progress: if your 5K time drops from 30:00 to 27:30, your pace improves from 6:00 to 5:30 per kilometer.
Even Pace vs Negative Splits
- Even pace: the same pace from start to finish. The splits table shows this plan.
- Negative splits: running the second half a little faster than the first. Many runners find it helps them avoid fading late in a race.
- Positive splits: slowing down in the second half, often after starting too fast.
- Tip: aim for the first mile or km a few seconds slower than goal pace, then settle in.
Race Finish Times by Pace
Finish times at an even pace.
| Pace per mile | 5K | 10K | Half marathon | Marathon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 | 21:45 | 43:30 | 1:31:46 | 3:03:32 |
| 8:00 | 24:51 | 49:43 | 1:44:53 | 3:29:45 |
| 9:00 | 27:58 | 55:55 | 1:57:59 | 3:55:58 |
| 10:00 | 31:04 | 1:02:08 | 2:11:06 | 4:22:11 |
| 11:00 | 34:11 | 1:08:21 | 2:24:12 | 4:48:24 |
| 12:00 | 37:17 | 1:14:34 | 2:37:19 | 5:14:38 |
Using Your Pace
- Start steady: going out too fast often costs time later.
- Allow for hills and weather: these can slow your pace on race day.
- Check distance: GPS watches can differ a little from a measured course.
- Train gradually: build up over time, and speak to a doctor if you are new to exercise.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting too fast. Going out quicker than goal pace often costs more time later.
- Mixing up miles and kilometers. Check which unit your watch and race use.
- Expecting race pace in training. Most easy runs should be slower than race pace.
- Ignoring hills, heat and wind. Adjust your goal pace on hard days.
- Trusting GPS to the meter. Watches can read a little long or short compared with a measured course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Divide your time by your distance. For example, 30 minutes for 5 km is a pace of 6:00 per kilometer.
About 5:41 per kilometer, or about 9:09 per mile, at an even pace.
Divide pace per mile by 1.609344. To go the other way, multiply by 1.609344.
Pace is time per distance, such as 5:00 per km. Speed is distance per time, such as 12 km/h.
A half marathon is 21.0975 km, or about 13.1 miles.
There is no single answer. Many beginners run at a pace where they can still talk in short sentences, and build speed later.
Divide 60 by the speed in mph to get minutes per mile. For example, 60 ÷ 6 = 10:00 per mile.
Pick a realistic goal from recent race times, start at or slightly slower than goal pace, and use the splits table to check your time at each mile or km. Save any speed-up for the last few miles.
It depends on your stride. Many runners take roughly 1,500 to 2,000 steps per mile, with more steps at slower paces.
About 6:00 per kilometer, or about 9:39 per mile, at an even pace.
References & Sources
| Source | Used For | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia, Mile | Exact mile to kilometer conversion. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mile |
| Wikipedia, Marathon | Standard marathon distance. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marathon |
| Wikipedia, Half marathon | Standard half marathon distance. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_marathon |