Running Pace Calculator
Written by Thierno Sadou Diallo, formula verified per our methodology • Last checked on 9/3/2026
Running pace is found by dividing the total time by the distance covered. Example: 10 km covered in 50 minutes gives a pace of 5 minutes per kilometer (5 min/km), or an average speed of 12 km/h.
Explanation
Pace (the time it takes to cover one kilometer) is the reference measure for runners, more intuitive than speed in km/h for gauging effort during a race: aiming for "5 min/km" feels more direct than aiming for "12 km/h." This calculator displays pace in minutes + seconds format (for example 5 min 36 s/km), the most readable format for a runner, rather than a decimal value like 5.6 min/km that requires mental math to interpret. For a speed tied to a different context (a car trip, for example), see our average speed calculator. To account for elevation gain, which makes raw pace less comparable between races, see our elevation gain calculator.
Example: 10 km in 50 minutes
Inputs
Distance: 10 km. Total time: 50 minutes.
Calculation
The decimal pace is 50 ÷ 10 = 5 minutes per kilometer, exactly 5 min 0 s/km. The corresponding average speed is 10 ÷ (50 ÷ 60) = 12 km/h.
Result
Pace: 5 min 0 s/km. Average speed: 12 km/h.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert pace to speed (or vice versa)?
Speed (km/h) = 60 ÷ pace (in minutes per km). For example, a pace of 5 min/km corresponds to 60 ÷ 5 = 12 km/h. This calculator displays both directly, without manual conversion.
What pace should I target for a first half marathon?
This depends entirely on your training level — there's no universally recommended pace. A common approach is to start from your comfortable pace on a long training run, and aim for a pace close to or slightly above that on the first half of the race to avoid starting too fast.
Why does my running pace vary so much depending on the terrain?
Elevation gain, surface type (road, trail, sand), and weather conditions (heat, wind) all change the effort needed to hold a given pace. Two races of the same distance can demand very different effort if one has a lot of elevation gain — see our elevation gain calculator to account for it.