Pace Calculator: Running Pace, Finish Time & Distance | 2026 Race Strategy
Free marathon pace calculator and finish time predictor for 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon. Calculate running pace per mile or per kilometer, convert units instantly, track segment pace, and compare to world record paces.
What This Calculator Does & Who It's For
Calculator Purpose & Outputs
- What You'll Get:
Average Pace: Time per mile or per kilometer (min:sec format). Use it to calculate running pace per mile or per km from any time and distance. Primary benchmark for interval and tempo runs.
Predicted Finish Time / Finish Time Predictor: Total time for common race distances at your current pace. Essential for setting realistic race-day goals and for pacing during a run.
Segment Comparison: Pace per lap or segment when you add multiple distance/time points. Shows where you slowed or sped up for tactical improvement.
World Record Pace Reference: Your pace compared to men's and women's world record paces from 100m to 1 mile. Provides aspirational context.
Pace Converter: Instant switch between per-mile, per-kilometer, per-meter, and per-yard; all fields update without losing data. Use as a running pace converter when switching units.
(This calculator is for educational and training planning only.)
- The Pace Equation:
Pace = Time รท Distance (time per unit distance, e.g., min/mile).
Time = Pace ร Distance (total time for a given distance at a constant pace).
Distance = Time รท Pace (distance covered in a given time at a constant pace).
Time is entered as hours, minutes, and seconds and converted to total seconds internally for all calculations. The calculator solves for any one variable when the other two are provided.
- Ideal Users:
Runners and walkers: Calculate goal marathon pace or running pace per mile for any distance. Get a finish time predictor for 5K, 10K, half marathon, or marathon. Use race presets to set distance, then enter time or pace.
Coaches and athletes: Segment analysis for interval and lap pacing. Compare results to world record pace benchmarks for context.
Race-day planners: Use the finish time predictor: enter current distance and elapsed time to see projected total time and adjust effort to hit a PR.
Anyone converting units: Use the pace converter to switch between per-mile, per-kilometer, per-meter, and per-yard without manual conversion (e.g. cycling pace vs running pace converter-style unit switching).
- Accuracy & Limitations:
Calculations assume constant pace. Real runs vary with terrain, fatigue, and tactics. Finish time prediction is an extrapolationโif you slow in later miles, actual time will be higher. Segment paces are as accurate as the distance and time you enter (e.g., from a GPS watch or track). Use results for planning and context, not as guarantees.
Solving the Pace Equation: Time, Distance & Pace
The Fundamental Relationship
- Pace = Time รท Distance:Pace is how much time per unit of distance (e.g., minutes per mile). If you run 5 miles in 40 minutes, your pace is 40 รท 5 = 8 min/mile. This is the standard way runners express speed in the U.S.; in metric, it's min/km (e.g., 5:00/km).
- Time = Pace ร Distance:To find how long a race will take at a given pace: multiply pace by distance. Example: 9:00/mile pace for a half marathon (13.1 miles): 9 ร 13.1 = 117.9 minutes โ 1:58. This is how the "predicted finish time" for common distances is calculated.
- Distance = Time รท Pace:To find how far you can go in a given time: divide time by pace. Example: 60 minutes at 10 min/mile โ 60 รท 10 = 6 miles. Useful for planning long runs or checking how far you've gone when you know elapsed time and average pace.
- Time Format (hh:mm:ss):The calculator accepts hours, minutes, and seconds. All math is done in total seconds, then results are formatted back to min:sec or h:mm:ss. This avoids errors from decimal minutes and matches how races are timed.
The Finish Time Factor: Predicting Race Day
How Finish Time Prediction Helps
- During the Race:Enter "current distance traveled" and "elapsed time." The calculator derives your current average pace and extrapolates to the full race distance. If the predicted finish is slower than your goal, you can increase effort; if you're ahead, you can ease off slightly to avoid blowing up.
- In Training:Use the same logic on long runs. If you want a 3:45 marathon, your pace must be about 8:35/mile. At mile 10, if your elapsed time suggests 8:45/mile average, you know you need to pick it up to get back on target.
- Setting Goals:Use "Solve for Pace" with your goal finish time and race distance to get your target pace. Then use the finish time predictor in training to practice holding that pace and to see how small pace changes affect total time.
Marathon Pace, 5K Pace & Unit Conversion
How to Calculate Your Goal Marathon Pace & Common Distances
- Goal Marathon Pace Example:Goal: 4:00 marathon. Distance: 26.2 miles. Goal marathon pace = 240 min รท 26.2 โ 9:10/mile (or 5:41/km). Use the calculator with "Solve for Pace," time = 4:00:00, distance = 26.2 (miles) or 42.195 (km).
- 5K and 10K / Finish Time Predictor:5K = 3.10686 miles (or 5 km). 10K = 6.21371 miles (or 10 km). Select the preset and your unit; the calculator sets distance. Enter your goal time to get target pace, or enter pace to get predicted finish time. Use it as a finish time predictor for 5K or 10K by entering elapsed distance and time mid-run.
- Per Mile โ Per Kilometer (Pace Converter):1 mile โ 1.60934 km. So pace per km = pace per mile รท 1.60934. Example: 8:00/mile โ 8 รท 1.60934 โ 4:58/km. The pace converter in the calculator does this (and meters/yards) and updates all displayed values so you don't lose data.