Find your pace per mile and km from a run, or project a finish time from a target pace.
8:04 /mi
Pace per km
5:01 /km
Finish time
25:00
Speed (mph)
7.44
Your run time — used when solving for pace
Per mile or km, matching the distance unit — used when solving for finish time
| Race | Projected time |
|---|---|
| 5K | 25:03 |
| 10K | 50:07 |
| Half marathon | 1:45:43 |
| Marathon | 3:31:26 |
Pace is the runner's currency. Whether you're planning a race, setting a treadmill target, or defining a training zone, pace in minutes per mile or minutes per kilometer is how runners think. This calculator solves the two sides of that equation: enter your run time and distance to find the pace you actually held, or enter a target pace to project your finish time over any distance. Both modes display your pace in miles and kilometers - the same effort converts between them by dividing or multiplying by 1.609. The race projections table below assumes you maintain that pace over the full distance, which is useful for planning. In reality, most runners experience positive splits, running the second half slightly slower than the first, especially over longer distances like marathons. Use the even-pace math for the optimistic scenario or as a ceiling - your actual time will likely be equal or a bit slower.
A 4-hour marathon (26.2 miles in 4:00:00) calculates to a pace of 9:10 per mile, or 5:42 per kilometer. This is the steady pace you would need to hold to cross the finish line right at the 4-hour mark.
A 5 km run completed in 25 minutes (distance of 5 km, time 0:25:00) shows a pace of 5:00 per kilometer, which is 8:03 per mile. Using the projections table, the same pace over 10 km would take about 50 minutes - a useful benchmark for comparing training efforts at the same intensity.
What pace do I need for a 4-hour marathon?
The exact even-split pace for a 4-hour finish on the certified 26.219-mile course is 9:09 per mile. If you enter 26.2 miles (the common shorthand) into this calculator with a 4-hour time, you will see 9:10 per mile - the minor difference because 26.2 is slightly shorter than 26.219. For planning purposes, either rounds to the same training zone.
How do I convert pace per mile to pace per km?
Pace per kilometer is always faster (smaller number) than pace per mile because kilometers are shorter. Divide pace per mile by 1.609 to get pace per km; multiply pace per km by 1.609 to get pace per mile. For example, 10:00 per mile converts to 10:00 ÷ 1.609 ≈ 6:13 per kilometer.
Are these race projections realistic?
The table assumes you hold the same pace over every distance, which is a best-case scenario if you have trained appropriately for that distance. In practice, most runners experience positive splits - a gradual slowdown in the second half or final miles - especially in longer races like half marathons and marathons. The longer the race, the more likely your actual time will exceed the even-pace projection. Use these numbers as an optimistic target, not a guaranteed outcome.