Pace Calculator
Work out your running pace from a distance and time, predict a finish time from a target pace, or find how far you ran. Includes equivalent times for 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon.
Result
- Distance
- 10 km
- Time
- 0:50:00
- Pace per km
- 5:00 /km
- Pace per mi
- 8:03 /mi
- Speed
- 12 km/h
| Distance | Length | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 1 km | 0:05:00 |
| 1 mile | 1.61 km | 0:08:03 |
| 5K | 5 km | 0:25:00 |
| 10K | 10 km | 0:50:00 |
| Half marathon | 21.1 km | 1:45:29 |
| Marathon | 42.2 km | 3:30:59 |
What is running pace?
Pace is the time it takes to cover one unit of distance, usually expressed as minutes and seconds per kilometer or per mile. It is the inverse of speed: a pace of 5:00 per kilometer is the same as 12 km/h. Runners prefer pace because it maps directly onto the clock during a race. If you know your target pace and the course markers, you know exactly what time to expect at each one.
The formulas
- Pace = time ÷ distance
- Time = pace × distance
- Distance = time ÷ pace
- Speed = 60 ÷ pace in minutes (gives km/h or mph)
Worked example: running 10 km in 50 minutes. Pace = 50 ÷ 10 = 5:00 per kilometer, which is 5:00 × 1.609 = 8:03 per mile and a speed of 12 km/h. At that pace a half marathon (21.0975 km) takes 21.0975 × 5 = 105.5 minutes, or 1:45:29, and a full marathon takes 3:30:58.
How to use this calculator
- Choose what you want to calculate: pace, time or distance.
- Pick kilometers or miles. Pace is shown in both so you can compare with training plans in either unit.
- Enter the two values you know. The common-distance menu fills in standard race lengths for you.
- Use the split table to set target times for other races at the same pace.
Tips for pacing a race
- Recent race results are the best guide to a realistic pace. A 10K pace is roughly 15 to 20 seconds per kilometer faster than half-marathon pace, which in turn is 15 to 20 seconds faster than marathon pace.
- GPS watches often measure a race course slightly long, so the watch pace reads a little faster than the official one. Use course markers and elapsed time for the real figure.
- Heat, hills and wind all slow pace. Adjust targets rather than forcing the number from a flat, cool training run.
- To estimate the energy you burn on a run, try the calorie calculator. For time arithmetic between splits, the time calculator helps.
This calculator is for information only and is not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good running pace?
It depends on age, experience and distance. Recreational runners typically finish a 5K at 6:00 to 7:30 per kilometer (9:40 to 12:00 per mile) and a marathon at 6:00 to 7:00 per kilometer. Elite marathoners run under 3:00 per kilometer. A good pace is one you can hold for the whole distance and improve on over time.
How do I convert pace per mile to pace per kilometer?
Divide the pace per mile by 1.609. An 8:00 per mile pace is 480 seconds, and 480 ÷ 1.609 = 298 seconds, or 4:58 per kilometer. To go the other way, multiply the pace per kilometer by 1.609. The calculator shows both automatically.
Can I predict my marathon time from a 10K?
Only roughly. Holding your 10K pace for 42 km is unrealistic for most runners; expect the marathon pace to be about 10 to 15 percent slower. The split table shows the time at a constant pace, which is a useful target for even pacing, not a prediction of what you can race.
Should I run even splits in a race?
For most runners, even or slightly negative splits (second half a little faster) give the best finish times, because starting too fast burns through glycogen and leads to a slow final third. Use the pace from this calculator for the first half and aim to match or beat it in the second.