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Pace Calculator: Solve for Pace, Time or Distance
Choose what you want to find, enter the other two values, and get pace per kilometre and per mile, speed in km/h and mph, and projected times for 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon.
The pace, time and distance relationship
Pace is time per unit of distance, and speed is its inverse. The three quantities are tied together by time = pace × distance. Rearranged, pace = time ÷ distance and distance = time ÷ pace. The calculator works in seconds internally, then shows the result as minutes and seconds (or hours, minutes and seconds).
Speed in km/h is 3,600 ÷ seconds per km. A 5:00 per km pace is 300 seconds per km, so 3,600 ÷ 300 = 12 km/h. One mile is exactly 1.609344 km, so a pace per mile is the pace per km multiplied by 1.609344.
Race distances used for the splits
| Race | Kilometres | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| 5K | 5 | 3.107 |
| 10K | 10 | 6.214 |
| Half marathon | 21.0975 | 13.109 |
| Marathon | 42.195 | 26.219 |
The marathon is traditionally quoted as 26 miles 385 yards, which is 42.195 km. Course measurement rules allow a certified course to be very slightly long, never short, so a watch often records a little more than the nominal figure.
Using the three modes
- Solve for pace: enter a distance and the time you ran or want to run. Useful for turning a goal finish time into a target pace.
- Solve for finish time: enter a distance and a pace, for example a treadmill setting converted to minutes per km.
- Solve for distance: enter a time and a pace, for example how far a 45-minute easy run covers at 6:30 per km.
Tip: if a treadmill shows speed, divide 60 by the speed in km/h to get minutes per km. A setting of 10 km/h is 6 minutes per km. Pace fields accept seconds with decimals, so a pace of 5:30 is entered as 5 minutes and 30 seconds, never as 5.30 minutes.
Limits of even-pace projections
Multiplying a 5K pace up to a marathon assumes you could sustain that effort for much longer, and endurance fades with distance. Treat the longer splits as arithmetic, not as a race prediction. Pace also varies with terrain, altitude, temperature and wind.
This page is educational. If you are new to running, have a heart or joint condition, or are returning after illness, build up gradually and speak to a clinician before intense training.
Worked example
A runner finishes a 10 km race in 52 minutes and 30 seconds and wants the average pace and projected longer-race times.
Inputs
| Solve for | Pace |
|---|---|
| Distance and pace unit | Kilometres |
| Distance | 10 |
| Time: hours | 0 |
| Time: minutes | 52 |
| Time: seconds | 30 |
Result
Average pace needed to cover the distance in the time given.
| Distance | 10.00 km (6.21 mi) |
|---|---|
| Total time | 52:30 |
| Pace per kilometre | 5:15 |
| Pace per mile | 8:27 |
| Speed | 11.43 km/h (7.10 mph) |
Projected times at this pace
| Race | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 5K | 5 km | 26:15 |
| 10K | 10 km | 52:30 |
| Half marathon | 21.0975 km | 1:50:46 |
| Marathon | 42.195 km | 3:41:31 |
- Splits assume you hold the same pace for the whole race, which most runners do not. Hills, heat and fatigue change real pacing.
Medical disclaimer: This tool is for education and general planning. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose any condition. If you are pregnant, under 18, have an eating-disorder history or a medical condition, speak to a doctor or registered dietitian before changing your diet or exercise.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate running pace?
Divide your total time by the distance. A 10 km run in 50 minutes is 50 ÷ 10 = 5 minutes per km. Choose Solve for pace, enter distance and time, and the tool does the conversion to minutes and seconds.
How do I convert pace per km to pace per mile?
Multiply the pace per kilometre by 1.609344. For example, 5:00 per km becomes about 8:03 per mile.
What pace do I need for a sub-4-hour marathon?
Four hours over 42.195 km needs an average of roughly 5:41 per km, or about 9:09 per mile. Enter the distance and 4:00:00 to see the exact figure.
How do I convert pace to speed?
Speed in km/h is 60 divided by the pace in minutes per km. A pace of 6:00 per km is 10 km/h, and 10 km/h is about 6.21 mph.
Are these predicted race times reliable?
They are straight-line arithmetic at one steady pace. Fatigue, terrain and weather mean real times over longer distances are usually slower than a simple extension of a shorter-distance pace.
Related calculators
References and sources
- World Athletics: Competition Rules and Technical Rules on certified road-race distances (marathon 42.195 km). Link
- International System of Units: international mile defined as exactly 1,609.344 metres (1959 international yard and pound agreement).