How to Convert Pace and Speed: Formulas and a Running Table
Pace describes time per unit of distance; speed describes distance per unit of time. A smaller pace means faster movement. Convert units before comparing results.
The formulas
For pace in minutes per kilometer: km/h = 60 ÷ pace. In seconds per kilometer: km/h = 3600 ÷ pace seconds.
6:30 min/km is 6.5 minutes, not 6.30. Therefore 60 ÷ 6.5 = 9.23 km/h. At 12 km/h, pace is 60 ÷ 12 = 5:00 min/km.
To convert min/km to min/mile, multiply pace seconds by 1.609344, then format the result as minutes and seconds. Reverse the conversion by dividing by the same factor.
Common running paces
| min/km | km/h | min/mile |
|---|---|---|
| 4:00 | 15.00 | 6:26 |
| 5:00 | 12.00 | 8:03 |
| 6:00 | 10.00 | 9:39 |
| 7:00 | 8.57 | 11:16 |
| 8:00 | 7.50 | 12:52 |
| 10:00 | 6.00 | 16:06 |
Speed values are rounded to two decimals; mile paces are rounded to the nearest second. Rounding differences do not imply different performance.
Calculate a target pace in SpeedX
- Open the target pace calculator.
- Choose kilometers or miles and enter a positive distance.
- Enter your target time in
MM:SSorHH:MM:SSformat. - Read the result in minutes per chosen distance unit.
For 5 km in 25:00, the target is 5:00 min/km. For 10 km in 01:00:00, it is 6:00 min/km. Enter 25:00, not just 25.
Convert a speed reading
The current speed converter accepts km/h and returns mph, m/s and min/km. Enter 12 to check the 5:00 min/km example. It does not accept every unit as input; use the formulas above for a min/mile starting value.
A few common mistakes
Do not treat seconds as hundredths of a minute. Do not compare min/mile with min/km directly. At zero speed, pace is undefined rather than a meaningful zero-minute pace. Finally, a target pace is an arithmetic average, not a prediction that terrain, stops and fatigue will allow you to maintain it.