What this result means
Age grade compares a race time with a statistically elite standard for your age and comparison category. 90% is often called world class. 70% is a strong regional level. The output is labeled an estimate.
This site uses interpolated World Masters Athletics (WMA 2015) factors for 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon only. Other distances are not invented. It is not an official WMA ranking and not a qualifying standard.
A 40-year-old’s 20:00 5K age-grades higher than the same 20:00 at 25, because the elite standard slows with age. A 3:30 marathon at 55 is a different conversation from 3:30 at 25. The percentage is standard ÷ your time, using the tabulated factor.
If your distance is a 15K or a trail 10 miler, this tool will not fake a factor. Use a supported road distance.
Calculation method
Age-grade percentage is the statistically elite standard for your age and category divided by your time. Factors between tabulated ages are interpolated. Distances other than 5K, 10K, half, and marathon are out of scope.
Cite: World Masters Athletics age-grading factors, 2015 tables. This site uses an interpolated subset only.
Age grading does not know drafting, downhill courses, or wind. It is not a statement about talent or about whether you “should” be faster. It is a lookup against a published table.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good age-grade percentage?
On the usual reading, 90% is world class, 80% is national class, 70% is strong regional. Those labels are conventions, not official awards.
Which distances are supported?
5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon. Other distances are not interpolated into existence.
Is this an official WMA ranking?
No. It is an estimate from interpolated 2015 factors. It is not a qualifying standard or a federation result.
Does age grading replace race prediction?
No. Age grade compares one result with a table. Equivalent times at another distance use the race time predictor.