Pace Calculator
Calculate running pace, distance, or finish time. Convert between min/km and min/mi, view kilometer splits, and plan races from 5K to marathon.
Splits (per km)
Cumulative time at the end of each km.
| Split | Cumulative time |
|---|---|
| 1 km | 5:00 |
| 2 km | 10:00 |
| 3 km | 15:00 |
| 4 km | 20:00 |
| 5 km | 25:00 |
| 6 km | 30:00 |
| 7 km | 35:00 |
| 8 km | 40:00 |
| 9 km | 45:00 |
| 10 km (finish) | 50:00 |
How pace works
Pace is the time it takes to cover a fixed unit of distance — usually one kilometer or one mile. A 5:00 / km pace means every kilometer takes five minutes, so a 10K at that pace finishes in 50:00. Pace is the inverse of speed: dividing 60 minutes by your pace in minutes gives your speed in km/h or mph.
Runners think in pace rather than total time because pace represents effort. Two runners holding 5:00 / km on a long run are working at roughly the same intensity, regardless of whether they stop at 8 km or 20 km. Coaches prescribe workouts in pace zones (easy, tempo, interval) so the stimulus is consistent week to week.
Common race times by pace
Reference times for popular race distances at steady min/km paces. Use it to gauge a realistic goal pace for your next event, or to back-solve the pace you need to hit a target time.
| Pace (min/km) | 5K | 10K | Half marathon | Marathon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4:00 | 20:00 | 40:00 | 1:24:23 | 2:48:47 |
| 4:30 | 22:30 | 45:00 | 1:34:56 | 3:09:53 |
| 5:00 | 25:00 | 50:00 | 1:45:29 | 3:30:59 |
| 5:30 | 27:30 | 55:00 | 1:56:02 | 3:52:04 |
| 6:00 | 30:00 | 1:00:00 | 2:06:35 | 4:13:10 |
| 6:30 | 32:30 | 1:05:00 | 2:17:08 | 4:34:16 |
| 7:00 | 35:00 | 1:10:00 | 2:27:41 | 4:55:22 |
Pace vs effort
- Easy pace: fully conversational, roughly 70-75% of max heart rate. Builds aerobic base and should make up the bulk of weekly volume.
- Tempo pace: comfortably hard, around 80-88% max HR — the pace you could hold for about an hour all-out. Trains lactate clearance.
- Interval pace: roughly 5K to 3K race effort, 90-95% max HR. Run in short repeats with rest to push VO2 max.
- Race pace: the specific pace you intend to hold on race day. Practice it regularly so it feels familiar in the closing kilometers.
Tip — Open conservatively
Run your first kilometer 5-10 seconds slower than goal pace. Most marathon blowups come from a fast opening 5 km — adrenaline masks the cost, and the bill arrives at 30 km. Settle in, let the pack pull away, and pass dozens of them in the back half.