What running pace means
Your running pace is how long it takes you to cover one unit of distance. Most runners outside the United States track it in minutes per kilometer (min/km); where miles are standard, it’s minutes per mile. A pace of 5:00 min/km means every kilometer takes exactly five minutes.
Pace is the number runners actually think in. Speed in km/h is handy on a treadmill or a bike, but when you plan a race you say “I’ll run five-minute kilometers,” not “I’ll run twelve kilometers per hour.” This calculator converts between the two and also gives you the finishing time for a set distance. Everything runs in your browser — nothing is sent or stored.
How to use the calculator
- Choose what to calculate: pace, time, or distance.
- Fill in the two values you already know. For pace, that’s distance and time.
- Read the result and the table of finishing times for the popular race distances (5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon) at that same pace.
Time goes in three boxes — hours, minutes, seconds. Pace goes in minutes and seconds, per kilometer or per mile.
The formula
The core relationship is one division:
pace = time ÷ distance
Everything else follows:
- speed = distance ÷ time (in km/h).
- time = pace × distance.
- distance = time ÷ pace.
To convert min/km to min/mile, multiply by 1.609344 (one mile is 1.609344 km). Speed and pace are inverses too: 60 divided by the pace in min/km gives the speed in km/h.
| Pace (min/km) | Speed (km/h) | 5K | 10K | Half | Marathon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4:00 | 15.00 | 20:00 | 40:00 | 1:24:23 | 2:48:47 |
| 5:00 | 12.00 | 25:00 | 50:00 | 1:45:29 | 3:30:59 |
| 6:00 | 10.00 | 30:00 | 1:00:00 | 2:06:35 | 4:13:10 |
| 7:00 | 8.57 | 35:00 | 1:10:00 | 2:27:41 | 4:55:22 |
The half marathon is 21.0975 km and the marathon is 42.195 km.
Worked example
You run 10 km in 50:00 (fifty minutes). Your pace is:
3000 seconds ÷ 10 km = 300 s/km, which is 5:00 min/km.- In miles:
300 × 1.609344 = 482.8 s, or 8:03 min/mile. - Your speed:
10 km ÷ (3000/3600) h = 12.00 km/h.
At that 5:00 min/km pace, a half marathon would take 1:45:29 and a full marathon 3:30:59 — the same figures the calculator lists in its table.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert min/km to min/mile?
Multiply the per-kilometer pace by 1.609344. To go the other way, divide by it. For example, an 8:00 min/mile pace equals 480 ÷ 1.609344 = 298 s, roughly 4:58 min/km.
What’s a good pace for a beginner?
There’s no universal number — it depends on your age, fitness, and the terrain. Many new runners cover ground at 7:00 to 8:00 min/km and mix in walking breaks. A better guide than the clock is the talk test: if you can hold a conversation while running, the effort is sustainable. Use the calculator to set realistic targets and ease your pace down over time.
How do I find my target marathon pace?
Switch to the “time” mode, enter 42.195 km, and the time you’re aiming for. To break four hours, the required pace is about 5:41 min/km. In a long race it pays to keep a small buffer for the final kilometers rather than starting on the exact limit.
Should I look at pace or speed?
They’re the same information flipped around. Pace (min/km) is easier for running because a small change is very noticeable; speed (km/h) is more common on treadmills and in cycling. The calculator shows both at once.
Is this a training plan?
No — these are mathematical estimates for information only, not medical advice or a personalized program. If you have a health condition, take medication, or have been inactive for a while, talk to a professional before committing to demanding targets.