keepcalculator

06 Numbers and Powers

Convert TXT to CSV: Plain Text to Spreadsheet

Card No. 06·13910 · Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Average pace 5.00 min/km
Average speed
12.00 km/h
Result
Finish time
50 min
You entered
Distance
10 km
You entered
You enter
Finish time, Distance
You get
Average pace, Average speed
Rounding
2 dp

Converting a TXT file to CSV means taking a plain-text file and restructuring its content into a comma-separated values file that spreadsheet programs like Excel, Google Sheets, or LibreOffice Calc can open as a table. You can do this with a few clicks in a spreadsheet app, a short script, or an online converter, depending on how your text is formatted. The core task is the same: identify the delimiters (commas, tabs, spaces, or fixed widths) in your TXT file and map them to CSV columns.

Formula

This calculator converts a running or walking time and distance into an average pace and speed. The formulas are:

  • Average pace (min/km) = finish time (min) ÷ distance (km)
  • Average speed (km/h) = distance (km) ÷ (finish time (min) ÷ 60)

Variables:

  • t = finish time in minutes (input)
  • d = distance in kilometers (input)
  • pace = minutes per kilometer (output)
  • speed = kilometers per hour (output)

If you prefer miles, convert distance to km (1 mile = 1.60934 km) or use a pace in min/mile by dividing time by distance in miles.

Worked Example

Using the default values: finish time = 50 minutes, distance = 10 km.

  1. Pace = 50 ÷ 10 = 5.00 min/km
  2. Speed = 10 ÷ (50 ÷ 60) = 10 ÷ 0.8333 = 12.00 km/h

The calculator shows a pace of 5.00 min/km and a speed of 12.00 km/h.

When to Use This Calculator

Use it any time you finish a run, walk, or bike ride and want a quick pace or speed number without pulling out a phone app. It is especially handy for training logs where you track time and distance separately. For example, if you ran 5 km in 30 minutes, enter t=30, d=5, and you get a pace of 6.00 min/km and a speed of 10.00 km/h.

The calculator works for any distance unit as long as you convert to km first. For a 10-mile time trial in 80 minutes, convert 10 miles to 16.09 km, then enter t=80, d=16.09. The result is 4.97 min/km and 12.07 km/h.

How to Read the Result

A lower pace (min/km) means faster running. A higher speed (km/h) also means faster. The two numbers are reciprocals of each other (with unit conversion). For example, 6.00 min/km equals 10.00 km/h because 60 ÷ 6 = 10. If you know one, you can always derive the other.

Pace is more common in running, speed in cycling and driving. Both are standard in fitness trackers and race results. When comparing workouts, use the same unit consistently to avoid confusion.

Common Mistakes

  • Mixing minutes and seconds: If your finish time is 1:30:00 (1 hour 30 minutes), convert to 90 minutes before entering. Do not enter 1.5 hours.
  • Using miles without converting: A 5-mile run is not 5 km. Convert miles to km (×1.60934) or use a mile-based pace formula.
  • Rounding too early: Keep full precision in intermediate steps. The calculator rounds only the final output to two decimals.
  • Confusing pace and speed: A 5.00 min/km pace is a 12.00 km/h speed, not 5 km/h. Check which one you are reading.

Limits of the Formula

The formula assumes a constant pace throughout the entire distance. Real-world runs have hills, stops, and changes in effort, so the average pace is just that—an average. It does not account for elevation gain, terrain, or wind resistance. For interval training or uneven routes, the average is still useful but does not describe the distribution of effort.

The calculator also ignores any time spent not moving (traffic lights, water breaks). If you want moving pace, use a GPS watch that excludes stopped time. If you want total elapsed pace, include all time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert 1 hour 15 minutes to minutes?

Multiply the hour by 60 and add the minutes: 1×60 + 15 = 75 minutes. Enter t=75 in the calculator.

What is a good running pace for a beginner?

It varies widely by age, fitness, and gender. A common conversational pace is around 7:00–9:00 min/km (8.5–6.7 km/h). The calculator does not judge quality; it just gives you the number.

Can I use this for walking?

Yes. Walking pace is typically 10–15 min/km (4–6 km/h). Enter your walk time and distance exactly as you would for a run.

How do I convert my pace to seconds per meter?

Multiply the decimal part of the pace by 60. For example, 5.50 min/km means 5 minutes and 0.50×60 = 30 seconds, so 5:30 per km.

Why does my GPS watch show a different pace?

GPS watches often use instantaneous pace (current speed) or moving time, while this calculator uses total time and total distance. They also account for elevation changes and GPS drift. Differences of a few seconds per km are normal.

Is a higher speed always better?

For a fixed distance, yes—higher speed means less time. But in training, slower easy runs are important for recovery. The calculator only measures, it does not prescribe.

Related

Formula used
in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0 | 100000
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2

Each line is one input (in, sel, list) or one result (out: label, unit, formula, decimals). How the calculators work

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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