Free calculator

Running Pace Calculator

Enter any two of distance, time or pace to solve the third — plus predicted finish times for every standard race distance.

Understanding running pace

Pace is time per unit distance — minutes per kilometre or per mile. It is the language runners use because it maps directly onto race planning.

Common pace benchmarks

Pace /kmSpeed5K timeMarathon time
7:008.6 km/h35:004:55:00
6:0010.0 km/h30:004:13:00
5:3010.9 km/h27:303:52:00
5:0012.0 km/h25:003:31:00
4:3013.3 km/h22:303:10:00
4:0015.0 km/h20:002:49:00

How the race predictions work

Predictions use Riegel's formula: T2 = T1 × (D2/D1)^1.06. The 1.06 exponent accounts for the unavoidable slowdown as distance increases — you cannot hold 5K pace for a marathon.

Riegel is reliable for doubling or halving distance, but over-predicts marathon performance for runners without high weekly mileage. A marathon prediction from a 5K time assumes endurance you may not yet have built.

Most of your running should be slow

The common beginner error is running every session at a moderately hard pace. Aim for roughly 80% easy, 20% hard — easy meaning conversational. This builds aerobic capacity while keeping injury risk and fatigue low.

Trakon shows live pace and per-kilometre splits during runs so you can hold an easy pace deliberately instead of drifting faster.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good running pace for a beginner?
Anything you can sustain while holding a conversation, commonly 6:30–8:30 per km. Pace is highly individual and depends on age, fitness and terrain. Consistency matters far more than speed early on.
How do I convert pace per km to pace per mile?
Multiply your per-kilometre pace by 1.609. A pace of 5:00 per km is about 8:03 per mile. To go the other way, divide the per-mile pace by 1.609.
How accurate are race time predictions?
Riegel predictions are quite accurate for similar distances, such as predicting 10K from 5K. Marathon predictions from short races are often optimistic by 5–15% unless you have done the specific endurance training.
Should I run at a consistent pace or negative split?
Negative splitting — running the second half slightly faster — generally produces better race results and feels more controlled. Starting too fast is the most common cause of a poor finish.

Related tools & guides

Start tracking with Trakon

Free on iOS and Android. GPS activity tracking, AI food scanning and progress charts in one app.

Download Trakon on the App Store Get Trakon on Google Play

The Trakon app is listed in the stores as “DailyCal – Food Calorie Tracker”. Why?