Pace Calculator

Enter your running distance and time to calculate your pace in minutes per km or mile. Convert between distance, time, and pace to plan your marathon goals.

Calculation Mode

How to Use

  1. Enter distance

    Input your running distance in kilometers or miles.

  2. Enter time

    Input your finish time in hours:minutes:seconds format.

  3. View results

    See your pace (min/km), speed (km/h), and estimated finish times for common race distances.

What is running pace?

Pace is the time it takes to run one kilometer (or one mile), expressed in a 'minutes:seconds' format. A pace of 5:30/km means you cover 1 km in 5 minutes and 30 seconds, and a smaller number means you are running faster.

While speed (km/h) measures distance per unit of time, pace measures time per unit of distance, which feels more intuitive to runners. You can instantly gauge your effort by checking your watch at each distance marker.

Why manage your training by pace?

  • Effort control: Each type of workout has a different target pace, from long slow distance (LSD) runs to tempo runs and intervals.
  • Race strategy: Divide your goal time by the distance to set the pace you need to hold.
  • Pacing: Avoid going out too fast early on and prevent a late-race collapse (bonking).

Calculation formula

Pace is found by dividing the total elapsed time by the distance.

Pace (sec/km) = total time (sec) / distance (km)

For example, if you run 10 km in 50 minutes (= 3,000 seconds):

  • 3,000 sec / 10 km = 300 sec/km = 5:00/km

To find the time instead, use total time = pace x distance. Speed is the inverse of pace: speed (km/h) = 3,600 / pace (sec/km). In the example above this gives 3,600 / 300 = 12.0 km/h.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is pace?
Pace is the time it takes to run one kilometer (or one mile). For example, a 5:30 pace means running 1 km in 5 minutes and 30 seconds. It is the most fundamental metric runners use to manage their effort and set goal times for races.
How do I calculate pace?
Pace = total time / distance. If you run 10 km in 50 minutes, then 50/10 = 5 min/km, i.e. 5:00/km. Conversely, if you know your pace and distance, total time = pace x distance.
What is the difference between speed and pace?
Speed is distance per hour (km/h), while pace is time per unit of distance (min/km). They are inversely related: speed (km/h) = 3,600 / pace (sec/km). A pace of 5:00/km equals a speed of 12 km/h.
What pace do I need for a sub-3 marathon?
To finish a full marathon (42.195 km) in under 3 hours, you need to hold a pace of about 4:15/km or faster the whole way. Sub-4 requires about 5:41/km and sub-5 about 7:06/km.
What is the target pace for a half marathon?
For a half marathon (21.0975 km), going sub-2 (under 2 hours) requires about 5:41/km, and sub-1:40 requires about 4:44/km. Because the distance is shorter than a full marathon, the same runner can usually hold a slightly faster pace.
What pace should beginner runners start with?
Beginners should start at a comfortable 6:00-7:00/km pace where they can still hold a conversation with someone beside them. Rather than running fast from the start, build your cardio endurance by steadily increasing distance, then gradually pick up the pace.
How do I convert mile pace to km pace?
One mile is about 1.609 km, so dividing your per-mile pace by 1.609 gives your per-km pace. For example, 8:00/mile equals about 4:58/km. It is handy to convert these when using miles at overseas races or on a treadmill.
Why shouldn't I run too fast at the start?
Going out too fast burns through glycogen quickly and causes a sudden slowdown later known as 'bonking'. Spreading your effort evenly at your goal pace, or running the second half slightly faster (a negative split), is better for setting a personal best.
Updated 2026 — WHO standards

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