Enter your distance and finish time to find your average running pace in minutes per mile and minutes per kilometer. Use a completed run to check your pace, or a goal time to plan your splits.
If you know your distance and pace, use the finish time calculator. If you know your time and pace, use the distance calculator.
Running Pace Calculator
Distance
Time
Pace
Results
If you hold this average pace, your finish times at other distances would be:
Splits
How to use the pace calculator
- Choose a preset such as 5K, 10K, half marathon, or marathon. To enter another distance, select miles or kilometers first, then type the distance.
- Enter your finish time or goal time in the hours, minutes, and seconds fields. A distance preset fills in a sample time, so replace it with your own. For 30 minutes, enter 0 hours, 30 minutes, and 0 seconds.
- Read your average pace in both units and your speed in miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (kph). Results update as you change the inputs.
- Choose a split distance and unit, such as each mile or kilometer. For even pacing, leave negative splits off. Turn them on to model a slower start followed by a faster finish, then use the slider to adjust how much your pace changes.
- Open the Download menu and choose CSV or Excel to save your results and splits as a CSV or an Excel-compatible file.
The split table can show up to 200 segments. If you see the limit message, select a longer split interval.
Your distance and total time must both be greater than zero. If the results disappear, check those inputs. Switching distance units converts the distance you already entered, so check the new value before continuing.
How running pace is calculated
Average pace = total time ÷ distance. Use the same distance unit for the entire calculation. A 5K finish time of 30:00 gives 30 ÷ 5 = 6:00 per kilometer, or about 9:39 per mile. A 3-mile run finished in 30:00 gives you a pace of 10:00 per mile.
Pace is usually written in minutes and seconds. A pace of 9:30 means 9 minutes and 30 seconds, which is 9.5 minutes. To calculate speed in mph, divide 60 by your pace in decimal minutes per mile. At 10:00 per mile, that works out to 60 ÷ 10 = 6 mph.
Use elapsed time to include stops in your average pace, or moving time to leave them out. When comparing runs, use the same measure of time.
The race-time table shows how long each listed distance would take at your calculated average pace. These times assume you can hold that pace for the whole distance. A pace you can sustain for a 5K may differ from one you can sustain for a marathon.
Frequently asked questions
What do “pace,” “distance,” and “time” mean in this calculator?
Pace tells you how long it takes to cover one mile or one kilometer. Distance is how far you ran or plan to run. Time is your total time for that distance. To find your average pace here, enter your distance and time.
Should I choose pace per mile or pace per kilometer?
Use the unit that matches your training plan or the race course markers. The calculator shows both minutes per mile and minutes per kilometer. Both readings describe the same speed.
Why doesn’t the pace match what my watch shows?
Check that you are comparing the same distance and time, and that both include or exclude stops. A watch’s current pace describes how fast you are moving at that moment; average pace covers the whole run. Buildings and trees can interfere with GPS, as GPS.gov explains. Indoors, watches may estimate distance from movement. Garmin’s manual describes this for its devices.
What does “speed” mean, and how is it different from pace?
Speed is distance covered in a given amount of time, such as miles per hour or kilometers per hour. Pace measures time for a given distance, such as minutes per mile. For example, 10:00 per mile equals a speed of 6 mph. A lower time per mile means a faster speed.
How do I use the splits section to plan my pacing?
Choose an interval in miles or kilometers. “Split time” is the time for each segment; “Cumulative” is the total time from the start to that point. Even splits keep your pace the same from start to finish. Here, negative splits model a gradual increase in speed while keeping your total goal time the same. Your final segment may be shorter than the others, so it takes less time even at the same pace.
Why are my splits different when I try to hold a steady pace?
Your route and conditions can change how hard a pace feels. Use the split plan as a guide and ease off if the effort is harder than you intended. The CDC’s talk test can help you judge your effort: at moderate intensity, you can talk but not sing. If you can say only a few words before pausing for breath, your effort is vigorous.
When is it time to stop chasing a pace and end my run?
Stop running and seek urgent help for chest pain, fainting, or sudden severe shortness of breath. Call 911 for possible heart attack symptoms; the American Heart Association lists the warning signs. Stop if sharp pain changes your stride. On an ordinary tired day without warning signs, ease off rather than forcing a target pace.
Can this calculator predict my race performance?
No. The race-time table shows how long other distances would take if you held the same average pace. It doesn't tell you whether you can sustain that pace over a longer distance. Consider your training and the conditions before using these times as race goals.
I completed my first 10K on a dare. In a year, I ran a half-marathon. Another year later, I finished a marathon race. Today I run 4 marathons a year and a half-marathon every week. I learned everything about running the hard way. So, I help runners achieve better results easier.
