Running Speed Calculator
Convert a running pace to km/h and mph, or convert a speed back into pace.
Pace is time per distance. Speed is distance per time. A 6:00 kilometer is 10 km/h, and the same effort is 9:39 per mile or 6.21 mph. This calculator converts either way.
Calculator Inputs
Used for pace to speed. 6:00 per km is the example.
Used for speed to pace.
Results
Enter values above to see your results
How to use this calculator
- Keep “Pace to speed” selected to convert the minutes and seconds you see on a watch. The unit control decides whether those numbers are per kilometer or per mile.
- Switch to “Speed to pace” and enter km/h or mph if you have a treadmill or GPS speed instead of a pace.
- The other pace unit is shown beside the speed so you can match a metric plan to an imperial one without a second tool. For a full chart of common pairs, use the min/km to min/mile converter.
How the calculation works
Speed in km/h = 3,600 ÷ seconds per kilometer. Six minutes is 360 seconds, and 3,600 ÷ 360 = 10 km/h exactly. Miles per hour uses seconds per mile the same way: 3,600 ÷ 579.4 ≈ 6.21 mph for that 6:00/km effort.
Going the other direction, seconds per kilometer = 3,600 ÷ km/h. At 12 km/h the pace is 300 seconds, or 5:00/km.
Meters per second is km/h ÷ 3.6. Ten km/h is 2.78 m/s. A kilometer takes 6 minutes at that speed; a mile takes 9:39.
What common speeds feel like
A brisk walk is often near 5–6 km/h. An easy jog for many recreational runners sits around 8–10 km/h (about 6:00–7:30/km, or 9:39–12:04/mile). A 5:00/km run is 12 km/h. A 4:00/km run is 15 km/h, which is 6:26 per mile.
“Good” depends on the distance and on who is running. Ten km/h is a comfortable 10K for some people and race pace for others. Compare the speed with a recent finish time on the 5K or 10K calculator rather than with a single average.
Worked example
6:00 per kilometer
6 × 60= 360 s3,600 ÷ 360= 10.00 km/h360 × 1.609344= 9:39 /mile3,600 ÷ 579.4= 6.21 mphPace and speed
Each row is one effort expressed four ways.
| min/km | min/mile | km/h | mph |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4:00 | 6:26 | 15.00 | 9.32 |
| 5:00 | 8:03 | 12.00 | 7.46 |
| 6:00 | 9:39 | 10.00 | 6.21 |
| 7:00 | 11:16 | 8.57 | 5.33 |
| 8:00 | 12:52 | 7.50 | 4.66 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert pace to speed?
Divide 60 by the pace in minutes. A 5:00 kilometer is 60 ÷ 5 = 12 km/h. For miles, divide 60 by the minutes per mile.
What is a good running speed?
There is no single good speed. Many easy runs fall between 8 and 11 km/h. Race speed is higher and depends on distance. A 25:00 5K is 12 km/h; a 4:00 marathon is about 10.5 km/h.
Why does my treadmill pace disagree with km/h?
Check the unit. A treadmill set to 10.0 km/h is 6:00/km, not 10:00/km. A setting of 6.0 mph is about 9:39/mile, which is the same effort as 10 km/h.
Guides & Articles
Average Running Speed by Age
There is no single average running speed for an age. These are wide easy-run planning ranges, not survey results, plus how to judge your own pace.
How Much Faster to Cut 5 Minutes Off a 10K
Five minutes off a 10K is 30 seconds per kilometer, or about 48 seconds per mile. Worked examples from 60:00, 55:00, and 50:00.
How to Calculate Running Pace
Divide time by distance to get running pace in min/km or min/mile, then turn that pace into speed. A 5 km example worked through both units.
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