Treadmill speed is not pace
Treadmills in the United States show belt speed in miles per hour, while every training plan speaks in minutes per mile. The conversion is 60 divided by mph: 6.5 mph is 9:14 per mile. That is the whole job of a min per mile calculator, and it beats doing the division in your head while the belt is moving. The calculator also gives the metric equivalent, because a treadmill bought in Europe will show km/h instead.
Reading the settings table
The table lists the speeds most treadmills actually offer, from a 4 mph walk to a 10 mph tempo. It is worth knowing that the difference between 6.0 and 6.5 mph is 46 seconds per mile — enough to turn an easy run into a hard one without noticing.
Belt speed versus outdoor effort
Running indoors has no wind resistance, so the same pace feels easier than it would outside. A 1% incline roughly replaces the missing air resistance for most runners, which is why the incline calculator pairs with this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 6 mph feel harder than 10:00 per mile outside?
It should not — 6 mph is 10:00 per mile exactly. If it feels harder, check the treadmill calibration; belt friction and incline zero can both be off.
Does the tool round the pace?
It rounds to the nearest second per mile, which is the precision a treadmill display supports anyway.
What is a brisk walking speed?
3–4 mph, or 15:00–20:00 per mile. Above 4.5 mph most people start jogging.
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