What is a pace calculator?
A pace calculator computes your running or walking pace—the time it takes to cover a unit of distance (typically per kilometer or mile). Pace is the inverse of speed: while speed measures distance per unit time (km/h), pace measures time per unit distance (minutes per km). Pace is preferred by runners because it's easier to track during training and races. This calculator helps you determine your pace from distance and time, or plan training paces for target race times.
Enter the distance you covered (or plan to cover), select kilometers or miles, enter your time (hours, minutes, seconds), then click Get result to see your pace per kilometer, pace per mile, and average speed. No sign-up required. Use it for training, race planning, or analyzing running performance.
How to use this pace calculator
Enter the distance in kilometers or miles (select unit from dropdown). Enter your time: hours (if applicable), minutes, and seconds. For example, for a 5K run in 25 minutes 30 seconds, enter distance 5, select km, enter 0 hours, 25 minutes, 30 seconds. Click Get result to see pace per kilometer, pace per mile, and average speed in km/h. The calculator automatically converts between units, so you can enter distance in either system and see paces in both.
Understanding pace vs speed
Pace and speed measure the same thing differently. Speed = distance / time (e.g., 10 km/h means you cover 10 kilometers in one hour). Pace = time / distance (e.g., 6 min/km means it takes 6 minutes to cover 1 kilometer). Runners prefer pace because it's easier to track: if you know your pace is 5 min/km, you can quickly calculate that a 10K will take 50 minutes. Pace is also more intuitive during runs—you think "I need to run this kilometer in 5 minutes" rather than "I need to maintain 12 km/h."
Common running paces
Typical paces vary by fitness level and distance. Elite marathoners run at about 3 min/km (sub-2:10 marathon). Fast recreational runners: 4-5 min/km. Average runners: 5-6 min/km. Beginners: 6-8 min/km. Walking pace: 8-12 min/km. These are rough guides; individual paces vary. Use this calculator to find your current pace, then work on improving it through training. Track your pace over time to see progress. For race planning, calculate target pace: if you want to run a 10K in 50 minutes, your pace needs to be 5 min/km.
When to use a pace calculator
Use this calculator to analyze past runs (enter distance and time to see your pace), plan training paces (determine what pace to run for target times), set race goals (calculate required pace for target finish time), compare performances (see how pace changes over time or across distances), or convert between pace and speed. It's essential for structured training where you need to run at specific paces (easy pace, tempo pace, interval pace) to achieve fitness goals.
Training pace zones
Different training runs require different paces. Easy/recovery pace: 60-70% effort, conversational pace. Tempo/threshold pace: comfortably hard, sustainable for 20-60 minutes. Interval pace: fast but controlled, for short repeats with rest. Race pace: target pace for your goal race distance. Use this calculator to determine your current paces, then establish training zones. For example, if your 5K race pace is 5 min/km, your easy pace might be 6-6:30 min/km, tempo pace 5:15-5:30 min/km, and interval pace 4:30-4:45 min/km.
Tips for pace training
Use a GPS watch or running app to track pace in real-time during runs. Start conservatively—it's better to finish strong than start too fast. Practice running at different paces to develop pace awareness. Use this calculator to plan workouts: if you want to run 8×400m intervals at 4:30 min/km pace, calculate the time per interval. Remember that pace varies with terrain (hills slow you down), weather (heat and wind affect pace), and fatigue (pace slows as you tire). Focus on effort and perceived exertion, not just pace numbers.
Summary
This pace calculator computes running or walking pace per kilometer and mile, plus average speed. Enter distance, select unit, enter time (hours, minutes, seconds), then click Get result. It's free, works in your browser, and requires no account. Use it for training, race planning, or analyzing performance. Pace is a key metric for runners—track it over time to monitor progress and plan effective training. Remember that pace varies with conditions, so use it as a guide along with perceived effort.