Running apps track distance by recording GPS positions and adding up the distance between them, and they calculate pace by dividing time by distance. Most apps smooth the GPS data to reduce noise, which is why different apps can report slightly different numbers for the same run.
Distance
Your phone estimates its position every second or so. The app stores each point, filters out obvious errors, and adds up the distance between points along your route.
Pace
Pace is the time it takes to cover a distance, usually shown as minutes per kilometre or mile. Apps calculate it in a few ways:
- Current pace uses the most recent seconds, so it jumps around.
- Average pace is total time divided by total distance.
- Splits show the pace for each kilometre or mile.
Why pace is jumpy
GPS noise matters most over short intervals. A small error in position over a few seconds becomes a big swing in pace. Averages over longer windows are steadier.
Moving time versus elapsed time
If you stop at a crossing, elapsed time keeps running. Auto-pause or manual pause removes that time from the pace calculation.
Cadence
Cadence is steps per minute. It comes from motion sensors in a phone or watch, where supported.
Tips for better numbers
- Start after GPS locks.
- Pause when you stop.
- Compare average pace and splits, not momentary pace.
Reading splits
A split is the time for each kilometre or mile. A table of splits shows how your pace changed through the run.
| Pattern | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Even splits | You held a steady effort. |
| Fast first split, slower later | Started too quickly. |
| Getting faster | Warmed up and paced well, or ran downhill. |
| One slow split | Hill, junction stop or GPS noise. |
Why average pace can look better than it feels
If the app pauses automatically at stops and counts only moving time, your average pace will look faster than if you counted the whole outing. Neither is wrong. They answer different questions. Pick one and stick with it so comparisons are fair.
Do not over-read a single run
Weather, sleep, route and GPS conditions all affect one run’s numbers. The trend over several weeks tells you much more.
Where HALEBIT fits
On the live screen HALEBIT shows your current pace in minutes per kilometre (or per mile if you choose imperial units in Settings). A finished outdoor session lists average pace, best pace and a grade-adjusted pace figure (GAP), with cadence in steps per minute. Which numbers appear depends on the activity and your phone.
See the running tracker page or explore HALEBIT →
Keep reading
Quick questions
Why does my pace jump around during a run?
Short-interval GPS noise. Look at average pace or splits.
Do all apps report the same distance?
No. Filtering and smoothing differ, so small differences are normal.