Pace Calculator
Estimate the pace for a variety of activities, including running, walking, and biking. Calculate pace, time, or distance.
Pace Calculator
Note: Placeholder zeros do not need to be entered. For example, 5:3 instead of 00:05:03
Pace Converter
Finish Time Calculator
Estimate your finish time based on the time and distance covered so far in a race.
Typical Races and World Record Paces
| Category | Men's World Record Pace | Women's World Record Pace |
|---|---|---|
| 100 meters | 2:35/mile or 1:36/km | 2:49/mile or 1:45/km |
| 200 meters | 2:35/mile or 1:36/km | 2:52/mile or 1:47/km |
| 400 meters | 2:54/mile or 1:48/km | 3:12/mile or 1:59/km |
| 800 meters | 3:23/mile or 2:06/km | 3:48/mile or 2:21/km |
| 1,500 meters | 3:41/mile or 2:17/km | 4:07/mile or 2:34/km |
| 1 mile | 3:43/mile or 2:19/km | 4:13/mile or 2:37/km |
| 5K | 4:04/mile or 2:31/km | 4:34/mile or 2:50/km |
| 10K | 4:14/mile or 2:38/km | 4:45/mile or 2:57/km |
| Half Marathon (13.11 miles / 21.098 km) | 4:27/mile or 2:46/km | 4:58/mile or 3:05/km |
| Marathon (26.22 miles / 42.195 km) | 4:41/mile or 2:55/km | 5:10/mile or 3:13/km |
Training Through Pace and Heart Rate
Pace is a rate of activity or movement, while heart rate is measured as the number of times that a person's heart contracts over a minute. Pace and heart rate have a positive correlation; higher pace corresponds to higher heart rate. The use of both in training can help a person improve performance, avoid over-training, as well as track progress and fitness over time.
Measuring and Estimating Heart Rate
Heart rate can be measured in different ways, from using devices such as heart rate monitors, to simply looking at a watch while measuring pulse at some peripheral point such as the wrist or neck. Typical adult resting heart rates (RHR) are commonly cited to range from 60-100 beats per minute (bpm), though there is some argument that normal RHRs actually fall within the range of 50-90 bpm.
Maximum heart rate (MHR) is most accurately measured using a cardiac stress test. The most commonly cited formula for calculating MHR is:
Note that an exercise intensity level of 60-70% of maximum heart rate is considered the ideal range for burning fat.
Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Exercise
Aerobic and anaerobic exercise are often mentioned in the context of endurance training and running. Generally, anaerobic exercises (~80-90% MHR) involve short, intense bursts of activity while aerobic exercises (~70-80% MHR) involve light activity sustained over a long period of time. An exercise intensity level of 55-85% of MHR for 20-30 minutes is generally recommended to attain the best results from aerobic exercise.
In solely aerobic exercise, there is sufficient oxygen for a person's muscles to produce all the necessary energy for the exercise. In contrast, in anaerobic exercise, the cardiovascular system cannot supply muscles with oxygen quickly enough, and muscles break down sugar to supply the necessary energy, resulting in excess of lactate.
Understanding aerobic exercise is particularly important when training for a long-distance activity such as a marathon. Determining a pace that can be maintained while using energy primarily derived through aerobic means, referred to as an "aerobic threshold pace," helps maintain a balance between fat and carbohydrate utilization.