Pace Calculator
Calculate your running pace, finish time, or distance. Enter any two values and get the third instantly. Works for miles and kilometers.
Pace Conversion Table
Quick reference for converting between min/mile, min/km, and mph. Find your current pace and see what it looks like in other units.
Once you know your pace, use it on a route with a visible purpose. This live demo shows how a loop can become captured territory while the pace calculation stays grounded in the same distance and elapsed time.
Live territory capture
A route becomes part of the map
Most runners do their everyday runs too fast. Coach and author Steve Magness explains how to find the easy pace your calculated numbers should be built around.
Understanding Running Pace
Running pace is the time it takes to cover a fixed distance, typically one mile or one kilometer. It is the primary metric runners use to measure and communicate effort. When someone says "I ran a 9-minute mile," they are describing their pace.
Pace matters because it helps you compare similar runs and plan a target finish time. Training paces should still reflect the purpose of the session. Easy running should feel conversational, while faster sessions use shorter controlled efforts with recovery.
Your pace will vary based on the type of run. An easy run should feel comfortable, a tempo run should feel "comfortably hard," and intervals should feel very challenging for short bursts. Using this calculator, you can figure out what each of those paces actually looks like in minutes and seconds.
How to Use Pace for Different Runs
Easy Run
Use a pace that lets you speak in full sentences and finish with enough control to repeat the session. Hills and heat may slow the number without changing the intended effort.
Compare easy runs on similar routes instead of forcing one number in every condition.
Tempo Run
Use a controlled, sustained effort where speaking is limited to short phrases. The exact pace depends on the workout duration and your current fitness.
Record the work interval separately from warmup, recovery, and cooldown time.
Interval/Speed Work
Use repeatable faster efforts separated by recovery. Shorter repeats can be faster than longer ones, so compare like with like.
For 6 repeats, calculate the pace of each work interval and check whether the final repeats remain controlled.
Long Run
Use an effort you can sustain for the planned duration. Fueling, terrain, and accumulated fatigue can matter more than matching a pace from a shorter run.
Use elapsed pace when planned stops are part of your event preparation.
Race Pace
The pace you plan to hold during a race. This varies by race distance. Your marathon pace will be significantly slower than your 5K pace.
A 25:00 5K target requires 5:00 per kilometer or about 8:03 per mile.
For another way to organize target efforts from a recent result, use our training pace calculator. Treat its zones as starting points and adjust for conditions and recovery.
Worked Finish Time Examples
These rows are pure distance and time conversions, not ability labels. Use them to check a race target or confirm the calculator output.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is running pace?
Running pace is the amount of time it takes you to cover a set distance, usually expressed as minutes per mile or minutes per kilometer. For example, an 8:00 min/mile pace means you run each mile in 8 minutes. Pace is the inverse of speed: a faster pace means a lower number.
How do I calculate my running pace?
Divide your total running time by the distance you covered. If you ran 3 miles in 27 minutes, your pace is 27 divided by 3, which equals 9 minutes per mile. This calculator does the math automatically for any distance and time combination.
What is a good running pace for beginners?
A useful beginner pace is an effort you can repeat consistently. Use the talk test: on an easy run you should be able to speak in full sentences. Pace varies with hills, weather, fitness, and walk breaks, so your own repeatable effort is more useful than a universal cutoff.
What is the difference between pace and speed?
Pace is time per distance (minutes per mile), while speed is distance per time (miles per hour). They are inverses of each other. Runners typically use pace because it maps directly to how a run feels: you can glance at your watch and know exactly how long the next mile will take.
How is this pace calculator different from the race pace calculator?
This is a general-purpose pace calculator for any run. It converts between pace, time, and distance in any direction. The race pace calculator is specifically designed for predicting race finish times and suggesting target paces for specific race distances like 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon.
What pace do I need for a sub-4-hour marathon?
To finish a marathon in under 4 hours, you need to average 9:09 per mile or 5:41 per kilometer. Use this calculator to experiment with different target times and see the required pace for your goal.
Should I run all my runs at the same pace?
No. Easy runs, steady runs, intervals, and races serve different purposes. Keep easy runs conversational and reserve faster work for planned sessions. The right balance depends on your experience, weekly volume, and recovery rather than a fixed percentage that suits everyone.
How do I convert min/mile to min/km?
Multiply your min/mile pace by 0.6214 to get min/km. For example, a 10:00 min/mile pace equals approximately 6:13 min/km. This calculator handles the conversion automatically and shows both units.
Why does GPS pace jump around during a run?
Instant pace is calculated from a short window of location samples, so corners, trees, tall buildings, and weak satellite geometry can make it fluctuate. Lap pace or average pace over a longer interval is usually more stable for pacing decisions.
What is a negative split?
A negative split means completing the second half faster than the first. For a 30 minute 5K, that could mean reaching halfway in 15:15 and covering the second half in 14:45. It is a pacing strategy, not a requirement for every course or race.
How should I include walk breaks in a pace calculation?
Use the full elapsed time, including planned walk breaks, if you want your overall finish pace. Use moving time only if you want the pace of the running portions. Label which method you used so later comparisons stay consistent.
