Half Marathon Pace Calculator
Calculate the exact pace you need for your half marathon goal, predict your finish from a 5K or 10K, and get a mile-by-mile split table to race with confidence.
Target Time to Pace
Enter your goal half marathon time to find your required pace
Required Pace
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per mile
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per km
Mile-by-Mile Split Table
Use the calculator above to set your target time, then view your splits below. Toggle between even splits and negative splits to plan your race strategy.
Enter a target time above to generate your split table
Common Half Marathon Times and Paces
This table shows half marathon finish times from 1:15 to 2:45 with the required pace per mile and per kilometer. Find your target time and see exactly what pace you need to hold.
What Half Marathon Pace Should I Target?
Your ideal half marathon pace depends on your training background and recent race times. Here are guidelines for each level.
First-Time Runner
Your only goal should be to finish and enjoy the experience. Run at a pace where you can talk comfortably. Walk the water stations. Soak in the atmosphere. You can worry about time goals in your second half marathon.
Target pace: 10:30 to 12:30 per mile
Expected finish: 2:18 to 2:45
Beginner (6+ months running)
You have enough fitness to hold a steady pace. Start conservatively at the slower end of your range and pick it up after mile 8 if you feel good. Do at least one long run of 10 to 12 miles before race day.
Target pace: 9:30 to 10:30 per mile
Expected finish: 2:05 to 2:18
Intermediate (1 to 3 years)
Use a recent 10K time to predict your half marathon pace (the Riegel calculator above does this for you). Include one tempo run per week in training. Aim for negative splits on race day.
Target pace: 8:00 to 9:30 per mile
Expected finish: 1:45 to 2:05
Advanced (3+ years, structured training)
Your pace should be dialed in from training. Hit your goal pace in tempo runs of 6 to 8 miles. Race a 10K 3 to 4 weeks out as a tune-up. On race day, run the first 5K at goal pace and then assess how you feel before pushing.
Target pace: 6:30 to 8:00 per mile
Expected finish: 1:25 to 1:45
How This Half Marathon Pace Calculator Works
This calculator is built specifically for the half marathon distance of 13.1094 miles (21.0975 km). It solves three problems. First, enter a target finish time and it shows the exact pace per mile and per kilometer you need to maintain. Second, enter a pace and it calculates your projected finish time. Third, enter a recent 5K or 10K time and it predicts your half marathon potential using the Riegel formula.
The Riegel formula (T2 = T1 x (D2/D1)^1.06) is the industry standard for predicting race performance across distances. It accounts for the fact that pace naturally slows as race distance increases. A 25:00 5K runner does not simply double their time for a 10K because fatigue accumulates differently over longer distances.
The split table generates mile-by-mile pacing for both even splits and negative splits. Even splits mean running every mile at the same pace. Negative splits mean starting slightly slower and finishing faster. Most coaches recommend negative splitting for the half marathon because it prevents the common blowup at miles 10 to 12. For more detailed race predictions across all distances, try our race pace calculator.
Worked Examples: Turning a Goal Time Into a Pace
A goal time on its own is just a number. These three examples show how to translate a common half marathon goal into a pace, a training checkpoint that tells you if the goal is realistic, and what the effort actually feels like on race day.
Breaking 2:00:00
Required pace: 9:09 per mile (5:41 per km) or faster. Aim for 9:05 per mile so a slow water stop or a missed tangent does not cost you the goal.
Training checkpoint: You should be able to hold roughly 9:00 to 9:10 per mile for a 6 to 8 mile tempo run, or have a recent 10K around 55:00 to 56:00. Plug that 10K time into the Predict from Race tab above to sanity check the goal.
What it feels like: Comfortably hard, about a 6 or 7 out of 10 effort. You can speak in short phrases, not full sentences, for the first 9 miles. The last 4 miles will feel like genuine work.
Breaking 1:45:00
Required pace: 8:01 per mile (4:59 per km) or faster. Target 7:55 to 8:00 per mile so you have a small cushion built in before the finish.
Training checkpoint: This goal usually requires a recent 10K near 48:30 to 49:00, or the ability to hold 7:50 to 8:00 per mile for a 5 to 6 mile tempo run without your form falling apart. Our speed training guide has a full interval and tempo pace table if you need to build up to this pace first.
What it feels like: A controlled threshold effort from the start, not an easy warm up followed by a hard finish. If the first 10K feels easy, you are pacing too conservatively for this specific goal.
A comfortable first half marathon, around 2:30
Required pace: about 11:27 per mile (7:07 per km). Do not chase a faster pace just because you feel good at mile 3. Banking time early is the number one reason first timers blow up after mile 10.
Training checkpoint: You should be able to run or run/walk 8 to 10 miles continuously in training without your legs feeling wrecked the next day. If your longest training run is under 8 miles, treat the back half as run/walk instead of forcing a pace.
What it feels like: Conversational the entire way. The goal is not speed, it is crossing the finish line upright and wanting to sign up for another one.
Questions Runners Ask About Their Pace Result
How do I read my result on this calculator?
The pace shown is an average you need to hold across the full 13.1094 miles, not a pace you have to nail on every single mile. If you enter a 2:00:00 target and get 9:09 per mile, that means your total time across all 13.1 miles needs to average 9:09, even if individual miles run slightly faster or slower due to hills, crowds at the start, or a negative split strategy. Use the split table above the results to see what that average looks like broken down mile by mile.
How do I actually use this pace on race day?
Convert the pace into checkpoints before the race, not just a number on your watch. Write down (or set alerts for) your expected time at mile 5, mile 10, and the finish based on the split table. In the first mile, run 10 to 15 seconds per mile slower than goal pace on purpose, since starting-line adrenaline and a crowded course make it easy to go out too fast without noticing. Check your watch at mile 3 and mile 8 against your written checkpoints and adjust effort, not just pace, since GPS drift is common in tunnels, near tall buildings, and under bridges.
What are the most common half marathon pacing mistakes?
The single biggest mistake is starting too fast because the taper makes your legs feel fresh and the crowd energy pulls your pace down without you noticing. The second is chasing a pace that your training does not support, for example targeting sub-2:00 off a longest run of only 6 miles. The third is ignoring effort on hills and pushing the same pace uphill that you hold on the flat, which drains your legs well before mile 10. The fourth is under-fueling, since a half marathon at goal pace for most runners takes well over 90 minutes, long enough that carbohydrate intake during the race matters.
Train for Your Half Marathon While Capturing Territory
Your tempo sessions set the pace target. Motera gives the easy miles a purpose: land grabs, leaderboard moves, new streets uncovered. Race day arrives faster when training feels like a game.
MoteraHalf Marathon Pace Chart: Common Goal Times
Quick reference for popular half marathon goal times. Each row shows the required pace per mile and per kilometer for a 13.1 mile finish at that target.
Watch: How to Pace a Half Marathon
Global Triathlon Network breaks down how to choose a realistic half marathon pacing strategy and, most importantly, how to avoid the classic mistake of starting too fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good half marathon pace for beginners?
A good beginner half marathon pace is between 10:00 and 12:00 per mile (6:13 to 7:27 per km). This translates to a finish time of roughly 2:10 to 2:40. The most important thing for your first half marathon is finishing comfortably, not hitting a specific time. Run at a pace where you could hold a short conversation throughout.
How do I calculate my half marathon pace?
Divide your total finish time (in minutes) by 13.1094 miles to get your pace per mile, or by 21.0975 to get pace per kilometer. For example, a 2:00:00 finish equals 120 minutes divided by 13.1094, which is about 9:09 per mile. The calculator on this page does this math instantly.
Can I predict my half marathon time from a 5K?
Yes. The Riegel formula (T2 = T1 x (D2/D1)^1.06) is widely used to predict race times across distances. A 25:00 5K roughly predicts a 1:55 half marathon. The prediction assumes similar training and race conditions. If you have not trained specifically for the half marathon distance, your actual time may be slower than the prediction.
Should I run even splits or negative splits for a half marathon?
Negative splitting (running the second half faster) is the recommended strategy for most runners. Start 10 to 15 seconds per mile slower than your goal pace for the first 3 to 4 miles, settle into goal pace through mile 10, then push slightly faster for the final 5K. This prevents the common mistake of going out too fast and hitting the wall around mile 10.
What pace do I need to break 2 hours in a half marathon?
To break 2 hours, you need to average faster than 9:09 per mile (5:41 per km). Aim for about 9:05 per mile to give yourself a small buffer. This is an achievable goal for intermediate runners who train consistently with 3 to 4 runs per week and at least one long run of 10 to 12 miles.
How should I pace a hilly half marathon?
On hilly courses, focus on running by effort rather than pace. Slow down on uphills (expect 15 to 30 seconds per mile slower) and let gravity help on downhills (5 to 10 seconds per mile faster). Your overall average pace should still hit your target. The split table on this page shows even splits, but adjust each mile based on elevation.
How far in advance should I set my half marathon pace goal?
Set your pace goal 2 to 3 weeks before race day based on your most recent training runs and any tune-up races. A 10K race 3 to 4 weeks before the half marathon is the best predictor. Use the Riegel prediction tool on this page to convert your 10K time into a realistic half marathon goal.
