Marathon Pace Calculator
Enter your goal time and distance to get your exact pace in km and miles — plus a split-by-split band you can print and wear on race day.
Split times — even-pace band
Cumulative time you should hit each split if you run even pace. Tip: print this page (Ctrl/Cmd-P) and fold it into a wristband.
| Distance | Split pace | Cumulative time |
|---|
How marathon pace is calculated
Pace is simply your total time divided by the total distance. The trick that wins races is holding that pace evenly — the most common way to ruin a marathon is to bank time early and "hit the wall" after 30 km. The split chart above shows the even-pace target for every kilometre or mile so you can check yourself at each marker.
Popular goal paces
| Goal | Per km | Per mile |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-5:00 marathon | 7:06 | 11:26 |
| Sub-4:30 marathon | 6:24 | 10:18 |
| Sub-4:00 marathon | 5:41 | 9:09 |
| Sub-3:30 marathon | 4:58 | 8:00 |
| Sub-3:00 marathon | 4:15 | 6:52 |
| Sub-2:00 half marathon | 5:41 | 9:09 |
| Sub-1:45 half marathon | 4:58 | 8:00 |
FAQ
What pace do I need for a sub-4 marathon?
About 5:41 per kilometre or 9:09 per mile, held for the full 42.195 km. The plan and a full pace chart are on our Sub-4 Marathon page.
Should I run even splits or negative splits?
For most runners, even effort is the safest plan. Elite-style "negative splits" (running the second half slightly faster) work well if you're disciplined enough to start conservatively. The chart above is an even-pace target — aim to be on or just behind it through halfway.
Does the calculator handle miles?
Yes. Toggle the units at the top and every result — pace, speed and the full split table — switches between kilometres and miles instantly.