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RUNNERS LAB

Work/Recovery
Calculator

Turn a work interval into rest at 1:0.5, 1:1, or 1:2.

Last reviewed 19 August 2026

Work/recovery is a ratio. 60 seconds of work at 1:2 is 120 seconds of rest. 1:1 is equal rest. 1:0.5 is 30 seconds after a 60-second rep. This is not Karvonen and not a prescription for how easy the jog should feel.

Work time

Enter the finish time you want to run.

Rest per unit of work

Recovery

1:00

  • Work 1:00
  • Ratio 1:1

What this result means

Coaches write rest as a ratio of the work interval. This calculator multiplies. The interval workout page wants seconds; start here if you only know 1:1.

Heart-rate zones are a different language on the heart category. A 1:1 jog can still be too fast if you sprint the work.

2:00 work at 1:1 is 2:00 rest. 90 seconds work at 1:2 is 3:00 rest. 45 seconds at 1:0.5 is 22–23 seconds rest, rounded to the nearest second.

Cruise intervals often use short rest (1:0.5). VO2 400s often use 1:1 to 1:2. The tool does not pick for you.

Calculation method

Rest = work seconds × ratio. 1:2 means ratio 2. Displayed times round to the nearest second.

Exact arithmetic.

Ratios ignore that the last rep has no rest. They also ignore that a 400 m in 70 s and a 400 m in 90 s are different workouts at the same ratio.

Full methodology →

Frequently asked questions

What is 1:1 recovery?

Rest equals work. A 60-second rep gets 60 seconds rest.

What is 1:2?

Rest is twice the work. A 60-second rep gets 120 seconds rest.

Does this set my heart-rate zone?

No. It only multiplies times. Use the heart-rate calculator for zones.

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