Pace calculator
Calculate your target pace and splits from distance and time.
📖 How to use
- Select a sport: Running, cycling or swimming
- Select a distance
- Enter your target time:
- Click "Calculate": Get your pace in min/km and min/mile instantly.
- Check the splits: Toggle between KM and MI to see each segment with key points (⭐).
💡 Splits help you control your pace during the run. Key points (⭐) correspond to major distances (10K, 20K, Marathon, etc.).
💪 Sport
Why calculate your running pace?
Running pace (or 'pace') is your speed expressed in minutes per kilometer (min/km). Knowing your target pace helps you:
- ✅ Manage effort: Avoid starting too fast and struggling later
- ✅ Hit your goal time: Sticking to planned pace = expected finish time
- ✅ Train smarter: Workouts at specific paces (endurance, threshold, VMA)
- ✅ Estimate intermediate splits: Anticipate kilometer/mile passages during the race
How to use this pace calculator?
Our tool automatically computes your pace in min/km from distance and target time:
- Choose your sport: Running, cycling or swimming
- Select the distance: 5km, 10km, half-marathon (21.1km), marathon (42.2km) or custom distance
- Enter your target time: Hours, minutes, seconds
- Click "Calculate": The pace shows as min/km and min/mile
- View splits: Kilometre-by-kilometre details with key points (⭐)
Common running paces
- 🏃 Sub-3h marathon: ~4:15 min/km
- 🏃 3h30 marathon: ~5:00 min/km
- 🏃 4h marathon: ~5:41 min/km
- 🏃 4h30 marathon: ~6:24 min/km
- 🏃 5h marathon: ~7:07 min/km
Tips to stick to your pace
- ⚡ Controlled start: Keep the first 5km slightly below target (-10–15 sec/km)
- 📊 Use a GPS watch: Monitor pace in real time
- 🎯 Practice at race pace: Long runs at marathon pace to adapt
- 💧 Hydrate regularly: Drink every ~5km without breaking your rhythm (hydration calculator)
❓ Pace calculator FAQ
What pace should I target for my first marathon?
For a first marathon, aim ~30–45 sec/km slower than your half-marathon pace. Example: half in 1h45 (5:00/km) → target 5:30–5:45/km for the marathon. Rule of thumb: half × 2.1 + 10–20min gives a realistic marathon time. Focus on finishing comfortably rather than chasing an aggressive time.
How do I avoid starting too fast on race day?
Begin conservatively: do the first 5km around target -10 sec/km, then stabilize. Use a GPS watch with pace alerts and check your watch each kilometer rather than relying solely on how you feel.
What's the difference between min/km and km/h?
Min/km (pace) = time to cover 1 km. Km/h (speed) = distance covered in one hour. Conversion example: 5:00 min/km ≈ 12 km/h. Pace is usually more intuitive for running; cycling commonly uses km/h.
Why do my splits vary even at a constant effort?
GPS has a typical error ±2–5% due to signal loss, tight turns, or elevation. Check average pace over 2–3 km rather than per-kilometre splits. Accept ±5 sec/km normal variation.