Whether you're training for your first 5K or aiming for a marathon PR, understanding your running pace is essential. Pace is simply the time it takes you to cover a specific distance, usually expressed as minutes per kilometer (min/km) or minutes per mile (min/mi).

In this guide, we'll break down the math behind pace calculation, show you how to do it manually, and introduce you to the easiest way to get accurate numbers instantly.

The Basic Pace Formula

The formula for calculating pace is straightforward:

Pace = Time / Distance

(Time in minutes divided by Distance in km or miles)

Example 1: Calculating Pace per Kilometer

Let's say you ran 5 kilometers in 30 minutes.

Time: 30 minutes
Distance: 5 km
Calculation: 30 ÷ 5 = 6

Result: Your pace is 6:00 min/km.

Example 2: Handling Seconds

What if your time isn't a round number? Suppose you ran 10 km in 55 minutes and 30 seconds.

First, convert the seconds to a decimal: 30 seconds = 0.5 minutes.
Total time = 55.5 minutes.
Calculation: 55.5 ÷ 10 = 5.55 minutes per km.

Wait! 5.55 minutes is not 5 minutes and 55 seconds. To get the seconds:

Take the decimal part (0.55).
Multiply by 60: 0.55 × 60 = 33 seconds.

Result: Your pace is 5:33 min/km.

Why Pace Matters

Knowing your pace helps you in several ways:

Race Planning: To finish a marathon in under 4 hours, you need to maintain a specific pace (approx 5:41 min/km or 9:09 min/mi).
Training Zones: Different workouts require different paces (e.g., easy runs, tempo runs, intervals).
Tracking Progress: Seeing your average pace drop over time is a great motivator.

Using a Pace Calculator

Doing the math manually, especially with seconds, can be tricky. That's why we built our free Pace Calculator.

Simply enter your time and distance, and it instantly gives you your pace per km, pace per mile, and speed in km/h or mph.

Use Free Pace Calculator

Common Pace Benchmarks

Wondering how your pace compares? Here are some general benchmarks:

Level	Pace (min/km)	Pace (min/mi)
Walking	9:00 - 12:00	15:00 - 20:00
Beginner Runner	6:00 - 8:00	9:40 - 12:50
Intermediate Runner	4:30 - 5:30	7:15 - 8:50
Elite Marathoner	2:55 - 3:10	4:40 - 5:05

Conclusion

Calculating your running pace is a fundamental skill for any runner. Whether you use the manual formula or our convenient calculator, knowing your numbers allows you to train smarter and race better.

Ready to find your pace? Head over to our calculator and punch in your numbers!

How to Calculate Running Pace (Per Km & Mile)