VDOT Calculator: The Gold Standard in Running Training
Developed by legendary coach Dr. Jack Daniels, the VDOT calculator is used by Olympic athletes, marathon champions, and recreational runners worldwide to optimize training and predict performance.
How the VDOT Calculator Works
VDOT (V̇O₂max Distance Oxygen Threshold) estimates aerobic capacity from race performance:
Training Pace = g(VDOT, intensity %)
Our VDOT calculator uses the exact Daniels' tables and equations.
VDOT Calculator: Training Intensity Zones
Easy (E) Pace
59–74% V̇O₂max — Recovery, long runs
Marathon (M) Pace
75–84% V̇O₂max — Race-specific
Threshold (T) Pace
83–88% V̇O₂max — Tempo runs, 20-min efforts
Interval (I) Pace
95–100% V̇O₂max — 3–5 min repeats
Repetition (R) Pace
105–110% V̇O₂max — Speed work, 200–400m
VDOT Calculator: Standard Race Distances
| Distance | VDOT 40 | VDOT 50 | VDOT 60 | VDOT 70 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5K | 23:15 | 18:30 | 15:20 | 12:55 |
| 10K | 48:10 | 38:15 | 31:35 | 26:35 |
| Half Marathon | 1:47:30 | 1:24:15 | 1:09:00 | 58:00 |
| Marathon | 3:43:00 | 2:56:00 | 2:24:30 | 2:01:00 |
VDOT Calculator: Training Pace Examples (VDOT 50)
| Pace Type | Pace per km | Pace per mile | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy/Long | 5:10 | 8:19 | Base building |
| Marathon | 4:10 | 6:42 | Race pace |
| Threshold | 3:52 | 6:13 | Tempo |
| Interval | 3:32 | 5:41 | VOâ‚‚max |
| Repetition | 3:20 | 5:22 | Speed |
Applications of the VDOT Calculator
- Training Plan Design: 5 intensity zones
- Race Prediction: Accurate to ±30 seconds
- Pace Setting: GPS watch programming
- Progress Tracking: VDOT improvement over time
- Coaching: Standardized athlete comparison
- Goal Setting: Realistic time targets
Pro Tips for Using the VDOT Calculator
- Use best recent race (past 6–8 weeks)
- Flat, certified course for accuracy
- Update VDOT after PRs
- 80% training in E pace for base
- T pace = 10K race pace (roughly)
- Rest 48h before race prediction
Run Smarter, Not Harder
From 5K to ultra, our VDOT calculator turns data into world-class training.
Calculate VDOT