Pace converter: min/km, km/h, min/mi and mph
Pace and speed are the same thing said backwards: min/km is time per unit of distance and km/h is distance per unit of time. Here they are, converted live.
Pace is time per distance (min/km) and speed is distance per time (km/h). They are inverses: the faster you run, the lower the pace and the higher the speed. This tool converts them live, including the mile conversions, which is where people most often slip when switching apps or watches.
How long that pace would take you
| Distance | Time |
|---|---|
| 5K | — |
| 10K | — |
| Half marathon | — |
| Marathon | — |
Conversion table
For quick reference, here are the usual equivalences from pace to speed and to pace per mile. A mile is 1.609344 km, so a pace per mile is always a larger number than a pace per kilometre: 5:00 min/km is 8:03 min/mi.
| Pace (min/km) | Speed (km/h) | Pace (min/mi) | Speed (mph) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00 | 20.00 | 4:50 | 12.43 |
| 3:30 | 17.14 | 5:38 | 10.65 |
| 4:00 | 15.00 | 6:26 | 9.32 |
| 4:30 | 13.33 | 7:15 | 8.28 |
| 5:00 | 12.00 | 8:03 | 7.46 |
| 5:30 | 10.91 | 8:51 | 6.78 |
| 6:00 | 10.00 | 9:39 | 6.21 |
| 6:30 | 9.23 | 10:28 | 5.74 |
| 7:00 | 8.57 | 11:16 | 5.33 |
| 7:30 | 8.00 | 12:04 | 4.97 |
| 8:00 | 7.50 | 12:52 | 4.66 |
The two classic conversion mistakes
- Converting by multiplying pace by 1.61. That converts distances, not paces. A pace in min/km becomes min/mi by multiplying by 1.609344 (which happens to be the same operation, but for a different reason: a kilometre takes less time than a mile, and a mile is 1.609344 times a kilometre). Dividing by 1.61 to go from min/km to min/mi does not work.
- Converting pace to speed with a linear rule of three. The relationship is inverse: 5:00 min/km is 12 km/h, but 4:00 min/km is not 13 km/h, it is 15 km/h. The formula is
speed (km/h) = 3600 / pace (s/km).
Why treadmill pace does not add up
The treadmill shows speed, and converting it to pace gives the treadmill's pace, not yours. Running on a treadmill is slightly more economical than running outdoors on flat ground, so at the same speed you tend to run at a lower heart rate. That is useful information if you account for it, and a source of frustration if you do not.
To see pace, speed, elevation and splits from a real session, try the demo with a real activity.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert min/km to km/h?
Divide 3600 by the pace expressed in seconds per kilometre. For example, 5:00 min/km is 300 seconds, and 3600 / 300 = 12 km/h. To go from km/h to min/km, divide 3600 by the speed: 12 km/h is 300 seconds, that is 5:00 min/km.
How many kilometres are in a mile?
One mile is 1.609344 kilometres, roughly 1.61. That is why 5:00 min/km equals 8:03 min/mi: 300 seconds × 1.609344 = 483 seconds.
Is treadmill pace the same as mine?
Not exactly. The treadmill shows the belt speed, but running on it is slightly more economical than running outdoors, so at the same speed your heart rate is usually a little lower. The difference is bigger when the treadmill has no incline.