Triathlon Time Calculator
Total triathlon time from your swim, bike and run paces — including transitions, with each leg as a share of the whole.
Each leg is distance divided by speed, plus the two transitions.
How the triathlon time calculator works
Each leg is distance divided by speed, plus the two transitions. The insight most first-timers miss is how the shares fall: the bike is usually more than half the total time, the swim under a fifth.
Transitions are small but not negligible — one to four minutes each, and in a sprint race that can be several per cent of the total.
Formula: total = swim + T1 + bike + T2 + run
Worked examples
| Inputs | Total time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| An Olympic-distance race | 2:50:00 | about 2:52 |
| A sprint | 1:27:30 | about 1:25 |
| A faster cyclist | 2:36:40 | the bike share falls |
FAQFrequently asked questions
How long does an Olympic triathlon take?
For a typical age-group athlete, around two and a half to three hours. This page computes yours from your own paces.
Which leg matters most?
The bike, by time. It is usually more than half the total, which is where most improvement is available.
Why is the swim such a small share?
Because it is only 1.5 km of a 51.5 km race. It matters for position and for how fresh you start the bike, not for the clock.
How long do transitions take?
One to four minutes each depending on the race and your setup. In a sprint that is several per cent of the total.
Should I train each leg equally?
Not by time. Most programmes weight the bike heaviest, then the run, with the swim receiving the least — roughly in proportion to race time.
Where these figures come from
- World Handicap System — Rules of Handicapping — the score differential and handicap index formula
- International Cricket Council — Playing Conditions — over structure and run-rate definitions
- England and Wales Cricket Board — the national body for the sport these statistics most often describe here
Last checked: September 2026. Formulas follow the governing bodies where one publishes them — the World Handicap System for golf, the ICC playing conditions for cricket run rates.