Running Pace Calculator
Solve running pace, time or distance and get even-split finish times for the 5K, 10K, half and marathon — in both min/km and min/mile. Free, no signup.
| Distance | Time |
|---|---|
| 1 km | 5:00 |
| 1 mile | 8:03 |
| 5K | 25:00 |
| 10K | 50:00 |
| Half marathon | 1:45:29 |
| Marathon | 3:30:59 |
How running pace is calculated
Running pace is simply time divided by distance — the number of minutes and seconds it takes you to cover one unit of ground. For a 5 km run finished in 25 minutes, that is 1,500 s ÷ 5 km = 300 s/km, or 5:00 per km. The same three quantities — pace, time and distance — form a triangle: give any two and the third is fixed. That is why this tool has three modes. Enter a distance and a time to solve for pace; a distance and a pace to predict a finish time; or a time and a pace to see how far you would travel.
Kilometres and miles only differ by a conversion factor: one mile is 1.609 km. So a per-mile pace is always a larger number than the equivalent per-km pace — 5:00 /km × 1.609 ≈ 8:03 /mi. The calculator keeps everything in metres and seconds internally and shows both units side by side, which removes the most common source of pacing errors when you cross between a metric watch and a mile-marked course.
Using pace to plan a race
The split table turns one pace into a race plan. Holding an even pace is the most reliable way to run a strong time, because starting too fast drains your glycogen and forces a slow, painful second half. Pick your goal — say a sub-4-hour marathon — and you can read off the checkpoints: roughly 5:41 /km (about 9:09 /mi), which passes 10K at ~56:50 and halfway at ~2:00:00. Chasing a sub-30 5K instead? That is 6:00 /km (about 9:39 /mi) with each kilometre ticking by in six flat. Rehearsing those numbers in training so they feel automatic is what separates a controlled race from a hopeful one.
Read more in How to Start Running for Beginners, which walks through building the base fitness those paces are built on.
Turn your training into a streak
Pace goals are only as good as the consistency behind them — the runs you actually log, week after week, are what move the numbers. The simplest way to protect that consistency is to track it. In HabitBox, a free, ad-free habit tracker that lives on your home screen, you can mark each run with a one-tap check-in, watch the streak grow, and let that visible chain pull you out the door on the days motivation is thin. It runs fully on-device (no account needed) on iOS and Android. Pair it with the mindset in The Running Streak to keep the momentum going.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate running pace?+
Pace is your time divided by your distance. Run 5 km in 25 minutes (1,500 seconds) and your pace is 1,500 ÷ 5 = 300 seconds per km, which is 5:00 /km. This calculator does that division for you and also converts to minutes per mile, so you never have to reach for a stopwatch and a scrap of paper.
What is a good 5K or marathon pace?+
It depends heavily on age, training and terrain, so treat these as rough bands. Many recreational runners finish a 5K around 25–35 minutes (5:00–7:00 /km), while a sub-25 5K (under ~5:00 /km) is a common fitness milestone. For the marathon, the average finish sits near 4:00–4:30 (about 5:41–6:24 /km); breaking 4 hours is a popular goal and elite men run close to 2:00–2:10.
How do I convert min/km to min/mile?+
One mile is 1.609 km, so a per-mile pace is always slower (a bigger number) than the same per-km pace. Multiply your min/km pace by 1.609 to get min/mile: 5:00 /km × 1.609 ≈ 8:03 /mi. To go the other way, divide the min/mile pace by 1.609. Flip the km/mile toggle above and the tool shows both at once.
What pace do I need for a sub-4 marathon or a sub-30 5K?+
A sub-4-hour marathon needs about 5:41 /km (9:09 /mi) held for all 42.2 km. A sub-30-minute 5K needs about 6:00 /km (9:39 /mi). Switch the mode to "Pace", enter the distance and your goal time, and the split table shows exactly what each checkpoint should read on your watch.
How do I use pace to train?+
Coaches prescribe workouts by pace zones: easy runs are comfortably conversational (often 60–90 seconds per km slower than race pace), tempo runs sit near your threshold, and intervals are faster than race pace. Knowing your current race pace lets you set those zones honestly. Use the split table to rehearse goal-pace efforts so race day feels familiar rather than a gamble.
Should I run even splits or negative splits?+
For most distance races, even or slightly negative splits (running the second half as fast or faster than the first) produce the best times, because going out too hard burns glycogen early and forces a painful fade. This calculator assumes steady, even pacing, so the predicted finish times are the target you get by holding one honest pace the whole way.
Turn your goal pace into a running habit
Knowing your target pace is step one — showing up for the runs is what earns it. HabitBox lets you log each run in one tap, watch your streak grow, and keep all data on your device — free, no account.
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