What this calculator does
A bike pace calculator turns a ride distance and elapsed time into the two figures cyclists actually compare: average speed, and pace expressed as time per kilometre or mile. Enter the distance ridden and the time it took, and it works out both directions at once, in metric and imperial.
Pace and speed are two views of the same ride, not two different measurements. Runners are used to thinking in pace (minutes per kilometre), while cyclists more often quote speed (kilometres per hour), and this calculator gives both so a session logged either way can be compared against training plans or past rides recorded the other way.
The formula
Speed is distance divided by time, converted to kilometres per hour or miles per hour. Pace is the same relationship inverted: the time it took divided by the distance, giving minutes and seconds per kilometre or per mile.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pace | Time taken per unit distance, shown as minutes and seconds per kilometre or per mile. |
| Speed | Distance covered per hour, the more common way road cycling performance is quoted. |
| Distance | The total distance ridden for the session being measured. |
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Distance ridden (km) | The total distance ridden, in kilometres. |
| Time taken (min) | The total time the ride took, in minutes. |
When to use it
Comparing a ride against a training target
A coach or training plan quoted in either pace or speed can be checked directly against a logged ride, without needing to convert one to the other by hand first.
Pacing a long ride
Knowing the pace a target speed requires makes it easier to hold that effort steadily over a long distance rather than guessing from feel.
Comparing rides logged in different units
A ride tracked in miles against one tracked in kilometres can both be converted to the same pace and speed figures for a fair comparison.
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
What pace and speed do common ride times give over 40 km?
A fixed 40 km distance, across a range of finishing times.
| Time taken | Pace per kilometre | Average speed |
|---|---|---|
| 60 min | 1:30 /km | 40.00 km/h |
| 75 min | 1:53 /km | 32.00 km/h |
| 90 min | 2:15 /km | 26.67 km/h |
| 105 min | 2:38 /km | 22.86 km/h |
| 120 min | 3:00 /km | 20.00 km/h |
| 150 min | 3:45 /km | 16.00 km/h |
How pace and speed change with distance at a fixed 90-minute ride
A fixed 90-minute ride, across a range of distances covered.
| Distance ridden | Pace per kilometre | Average speed |
|---|---|---|
| 20 km | 4:30 /km | 13.33 km/h |
| 30 km | 3:00 /km | 20.00 km/h |
| 40 km | 2:15 /km | 26.67 km/h |
| 50 km | 1:48 /km | 33.33 km/h |
| 60 km | 1:30 /km | 40.00 km/h |
| 70 km | 1:17 /km | 46.67 km/h |
Questions
Is bike pace measured the same way as running pace?
The underlying maths is the same, time divided by distance, but cyclists more often talk in average speed (km/h or mph) while runners more often talk in pace (minutes per kilometre or mile). This calculator gives both so either convention can be used.
Does gear ratio affect the pace shown here?
No. This calculator works from the distance actually covered and the time it took, regardless of what gear, cadence or chainring was used to get there. Gearing determines how hard that pace was to hold, not the pace itself.
How do I use this for interval training?
Work out the pace or speed for one interval by entering just that segment’s distance and time, rather than the whole ride, to see the effort held during that specific block.
Why does my pace look slower than a similar run?
Cycling and running are not directly comparable at the same pace figure, since a rider typically covers far more distance than a runner in the same time. Compare cycling pace against other cycling efforts, not running times.
For working out gear ratio, development and speed from chainring, cog and cadence instead of a logged ride, see the bike gear calculator. For the same pace-from-time-and-distance idea applied to running, see the running pace calculator.