Written by Muneeb Rana · Last updated 26 October 2026
Quick answer: A running pace calculator turns time and distance into pace, usually minutes per mile or per kilometre, and converts pace to speed. A 30-minute 5K is a pace of 6:00 per km or 9:39 per mile, which is 10 km/h or 6.2 mph. Enter any two of distance, time and pace to get the third.
TL;DR
- Pace = time ÷ distance.
- Speed = 60 ÷ pace (in minutes).
- 6:00/km = 10 km/h = 6.2 mph.
- Race-distance table below.
- GPS pace is noisy over short stretches.
Pace vs speed
Runners think in pace (time per distance) because it maps directly onto split times. Drivers think in speed (distance per time). They are reciprocals: 60 divided by pace in minutes gives speed per hour. An 8:00 mile pace is 60 ÷ 8 = 7.5 mph.
Pace table
| Pace /km | Pace /mile | km/h | mph | 5K time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4:00 | 6:26 | 15.0 | 9.3 | 20:00 |
| 5:00 | 8:03 | 12.0 | 7.5 | 25:00 |
| 6:00 | 9:39 | 10.0 | 6.2 | 30:00 |
| 7:00 | 11:16 | 8.6 | 5.3 | 35:00 |
| 8:00 | 12:52 | 7.5 | 4.7 | 40:00 |
| 9:00 | 14:29 | 6.7 | 4.1 | 45:00 |
| 10:00 | 16:06 | 6.0 | 3.7 | 50:00 |
Running pace calculator for race predictions
The calculator can scale a recent result to other distances with the common Riegel formula, T2 = T1 × (D2/D1)^1.06. It is a rough guide that assumes similar training for the longer race.
GPS and pace
Phone GPS measures pace well over a few minutes on open roads, but second-by-second pace jumps because small position errors are large relative to running speed. Under trees or between buildings, distance can be over- or under-counted. A running app averages these errors; Speedometer PRO is built for speed and distance, not run coaching. See running speed tracker.
Pace vs speed
Runners use pace (min per mile or km); drivers use speed. They're inverses: 6 mph is a 10:00/mile pace.
Typical paces
Recreational runners often run easy miles at 9–12 min per mile (5:35–7:27 per km). See average running speed for context.
Related: Free speed tools · Running speed tracker: use GPS on your runs · Average running speed · Speed distance time calculator · Average walking speed · Walking speed tracker for walks and hikes · Online speedometer: your speed in the browser · How fast am I going right now?
Get Speedometer PRO on Google Play · Download on the App Store · Set it up before you move; never handle your phone while driving.
Sources
- Pace (speed) (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org (accessed 26 October 2026)
- Preferred walking speed (Wikipedia): en.wikipedia.org (accessed 26 October 2026)
FAQ
How do I convert pace to mph?
Divide 60 by your pace in minutes per mile. A 10:00 mile pace is 6 mph, and a 7:30 pace is 8 mph.
What pace is a 30-minute 5K?
6:00 per kilometre, or about 9:39 per mile. That is a steady 10 km/h for the whole race.
Is min/km or min/mile better?
Whichever matches the race distances and course markers you use. Most of the world uses kilometres; US road races often mark miles.
Why does GPS pace jump around?
Position errors of a few metres are large compared with running speed over a second or two, so instant pace looks noisy. Averages over minutes are much steadier.
Can Speedometer PRO track a run?
It can record speed, distance and duration as a trip. It is not a dedicated running app, so it has no splits, heart rate or training plans.