How to calculate running pace
Pace is time divided by distance — how long each kilometre or mile takes, rather than how far you cover per hour. Runners use it because it's the number you can actually hold in your head mid-run.
Pace = total time ÷ distance Ran 10 km in 50 minutes? That's 50 ÷ 10 = 5 minutes per kilometre, written 5:00/km. In miles it's 50 ÷ 6.2137 = 8:03 per mile. Same run, two numbers — which is exactly why this calculator shows both rather than making you pick one.
How fast did I run?
If you have a distance and a finish time, that's everything the calculator needs. Some worked examples:
- 5K in 25:00 — 5:00/km, or 8:03/mile.
- 10K in 50:00 — 5:00/km, or 8:03/mile.
- Half marathon in 1:45:00 — 4:59/km, or 8:01/mile.
- Marathon in 3:30:00 — 4:59/km, or 8:01/mile.
- 1 mile in 7:30 — 7:30/mile, or 4:40/km.
A 3:30 marathon and a 1:45 half marathon have the same mathematical pace because the marathon distance is exactly twice the half marathon distance. In practice, however, most runners cannot maintain the same pace over both distances.
Pace, speed and how they relate
Speed is the inverse of pace: distance per hour rather than time per distance. 5:00/km is 12 km/h, because twelve five-minute kilometres fit into an hour. Treadmills and cycling computers usually show speed; running watches usually show pace.
Speed (km/h) = 60 ÷ pace in minutes per km The awkward part is that faster running means a smaller pace and a larger speed, so the two move in opposite directions. Dropping from 6:00/km to 5:00/km looks like a small change and is a jump from 10 km/h to 12 km/h.
Pace chart: per km, per mile and finish times
| Pace | Per mile | 5K | 10K | Half | Marathon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4:00 /km | 6:26 /mi | 20:00 | 40:00 | 1:24:23 | 2:48:47 |
| 4:15 /km | 6:50 /mi | 21:15 | 42:30 | 1:29:40 | 2:59:20 |
| 4:30 /km | 7:15 /mi | 22:30 | 45:00 | 1:34:56 | 3:09:53 |
| 4:45 /km | 7:39 /mi | 23:45 | 47:30 | 1:40:13 | 3:20:26 |
| 5:00 /km | 8:03 /mi | 25:00 | 50:00 | 1:45:29 | 3:30:59 |
| 5:15 /km | 8:27 /mi | 26:15 | 52:30 | 1:50:46 | 3:41:31 |
| 5:30 /km | 8:51 /mi | 27:30 | 55:00 | 1:56:02 | 3:52:04 |
| 5:45 /km | 9:15 /mi | 28:45 | 57:30 | 2:01:19 | 4:02:37 |
| 6:00 /km | 9:39 /mi | 30:00 | 1:00:00 | 2:06:35 | 4:13:10 |
| 6:30 /km | 10:28 /mi | 32:30 | 1:05:00 | 2:17:08 | 4:34:16 |
| 7:00 /km | 11:16 /mi | 35:00 | 1:10:00 | 2:27:41 | 4:55:22 |
| 7:30 /km | 12:04 /mi | 37:30 | 1:15:00 | 2:38:14 | 5:16:28 |
| 8:00 /km | 12:52 /mi | 40:00 | 1:20:00 | 2:48:47 | 5:37:34 |
These are what the arithmetic gives, not predictions. Holding 5:00/km for a marathon is far harder than holding it for a 10K, so treat the longer columns as "what this pace would produce", not "what you'd run".
Miles and kilometres
A mile is exactly 1,609.344 metres, so a mile is about 1.609 km and a kilometre is about 0.621 miles. To convert pace, multiply your per-km pace by 1.609 to get per-mile, or divide by 1.609 to go the other way. Roughly: per-mile pace is your per-km pace plus about 60%.
If you track distance by steps rather than kilometres or miles, our Steps Calculator estimates the distance from your step count, height, and stride length. For quick reference, see the steps to km and steps to miles chart.
Race distances are defined, not rounded: a marathon is exactly 42.195 km (26.2188 miles), and a half is exactly 21.0975 km. The calculator uses those exact figures, which is why a marathon at 5:00/km comes out at 3:30:59 rather than a tidy 3:30:00.
Using splits
Splits are your cumulative time at each kilometre or mile. They're the practical form of a pace target: rather than remembering "5:00/km", you remember that you should hit 25:00 at 5K and 50:00 at 10K. The calculator lists cumulative splits for the distance you enter, including a final partial split when the distance doesn't end on a whole kilometre or mile.
Even splits — the same pace throughout — are what these assume. Many runners aim for a slight negative split instead, running the second half marginally faster, which means going out a few seconds per km slower than the chart says.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my running pace?
Divide your total time by the distance. A 50-minute 10K is 50 ÷ 10 = 5:00 per kilometre. When calculating manually, use the total elapsed time in minutes: 1 hour 30 minutes is 90 minutes.
What is a good running pace?
There is no single good running pace. A useful pace depends on your distance, fitness, training goal and experience. For an easy run, the appropriate pace is generally one you can sustain comfortably; for a race, your target pace will depend on the distance and your goal time.
How do I convert min/km to min/mile?
Multiply by 1.609344. A 5:00/km pace is 5 × 1.609344 = 8.05 minutes per mile, which is 8:03/mile. Going the other way, divide by 1.609344. The calculator shows both at once so you don't have to.
What pace do I need for a sub-4 marathon?
Just under 5:41 per km, or about 9:09 per mile. Switch the calculator to Time mode, enter the marathon distance and try paces until the finish time lands where you want — or enter 3:59:00 over the marathon distance in Pace mode to get the figure directly.
Why is a marathon at 5:00/km not exactly 3:30?
Because a marathon is 42.195 km, not 42. At 5:00 per kilometre that's 3:30:59. The extra 195 metres costs just under a minute at that pace, and it's the difference between hitting a target and missing it.