Distance: "+dVal+" "+dUnit+"
Pace = "+totalSec+" / "+dVal+" = "+paceTotalSec.toFixed(2)+" sec/unit";}else if(mode==='time'){var dVal=parseFloat(document.getElementById('d_val').value);var dUnit=document.getElementById('d_unit').value;var pM=parseFloat(document.getElementById('p_min').value)||0;var pS=parseFloat(document.getElementById('p_sec').value)||0;var pUnit=document.getElementById('p_unit').value;if(dUnit==='marathon'){dVal=26.2188;}else if(dUnit==='halfmarathon'){dVal=13.1094;}var paceInSec=(pM*60)+pS;if(isNaN(dVal)||paceInSec<=0){alert('Please enter valid distance and pace');return;}var totalSec=dVal*paceInSec;var resH=Math.floor(totalSec/3600);var resM=Math.floor((totalSec%3600)/60);var resS=Math.round(totalSec%60);resultHtml="Calculated Time: "+(resH>0?resH+":":"")+(resM0?'0′:")+resM+":"+(resS<10?'0':'')+resS+"";stepsHtml="Pace in seconds: "+paceInSec+"s
Total Time = "+dVal+" * "+paceInSec+" = "+totalSec.toFixed(0)+" seconds";}else if(mode==='distance'){var h=parseFloat(document.getElementById('t_hr').value)||0;var m=parseFloat(document.getElementById('t_min').value)||0;var s=parseFloat(document.getElementById('t_sec').value)||0;var totalSec=(h*3600)+(m*60)+s;var pM=parseFloat(document.getElementById('p_min').value)||0;var pS=parseFloat(document.getElementById('p_sec').value)||0;var paceInSec=(pM*60)+pS;if(totalSec<=0||paceInSec<=0){alert('Please enter valid time and pace');return;}var dist=totalSec/paceInSec;resultHtml="Calculated Distance: "+dist.toFixed(2)+" units";stepsHtml="Total Seconds: "+totalSec+"s
Pace Seconds: "+paceInSec+"s
Distance = "+totalSec+" / "+paceInSec+" = "+dist.toFixed(4);}document.getElementById('answer').innerHTML=resultHtml;var stepsDiv=document.getElementById('steps');if(showSteps){stepsDiv.innerHTML="Work:
"+stepsHtml;stepsDiv.style.display='block';}else{stepsDiv.style.display='none';}}function resetCalc(){document.getElementById('answer').innerHTML="Enter values above to see result.";document.getElementById('steps').style.display='none';}
Pace Calculator Use
Whether you are training for your first 5K or aiming for a Boston Marathon qualifying time, using a pace calculator is essential for structured training. This tool helps runners, cyclists, and walkers determine how fast they need to travel to reach their goal within a specific time frame, or conversely, how long it will take to finish a race at a certain speed.
This calculator provides three distinct modes to help you plan your workouts effectively:
- Calculate Pace
- Find out your minutes-per-mile or minutes-per-kilometer by entering your total duration and the distance covered.
- Calculate Time
- Determine how long a race or training run will take if you maintain a specific, steady pace.
- Calculate Distance
- Input your pace and the time you have available to see how much ground you can cover.
How It Works
The math behind pace calculation involves three variables: Time, Distance, and Pace. The primary challenge is that time is measured in base-60 (60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour), while distance is decimal. The pace calculator handles these conversions for you.
Pace = Total Time ÷ Distance
The formula is rearranged depending on what you need to find:
- Time = Pace × Distance
- Distance = Time ÷ Pace
- Speed (mph/kph) = 60 ÷ Pace (when pace is in minutes per unit)
Pace Calculation Examples
Example 1: Calculating Marathon Pace
You want to run a full marathon (26.22 miles) in under 4 hours. What pace do you need to maintain?
- Total Time: 4 hours = 240 minutes.
- Distance: 26.22 miles.
- Calculation: 240 ÷ 26.22 = 9.153 minutes per mile.
- Conversion: 0.153 minutes × 60 seconds = 9 seconds.
- Result: 9:09 per mile.
Example 2: Predicting 5K Finish Time
If you know your comfortable training pace is 8 minutes and 30 seconds per mile, how long will a 5K (3.1 miles) take?
- Pace: 8.5 minutes per mile.
- Distance: 3.1 miles.
- Calculation: 8.5 × 3.1 = 26.35 minutes.
- Conversion: 0.35 minutes × 60 seconds = 21 seconds.
- Result: 26 minutes and 21 seconds.
Common Questions
What is a good running pace?
A "good" pace is entirely relative to the individual. For beginners, a pace of 12 to 15 minutes per mile is common. Intermediate runners often aim for 9 to 11 minutes per mile, while advanced athletes may run at 6 to 7 minutes per mile or faster. The key is consistency and gradual improvement.
How do I convert miles to kilometers?
1 mile is approximately equal to 1.609 kilometers. If you have your pace per mile and want your pace per kilometer, divide your mile pace by 1.609. Our pace calculator handles this automatically when you switch the distance units.
Why should I use a pace calculator?
Training at specific paces (such as recovery pace, tempo pace, or interval pace) ensures that you are stressing your cardiovascular system correctly to induce physiological adaptations without overtraining or causing injury.