Speedrunning transforms a casual play-through of a beloved game into an intense race. Runners memorize level layouts, perfect glitches, and practice for countless hours to push their completion times lower and lower. Before streaming a personal best attempt or entering a marathon event, it helps to estimate how long a run might take. This calculator lets you input the number of segments you plan to track during your run. Each segment could represent a level, a major boss fight, or a specific in-game milestone. The calculator multiplies the segment count by your expected average time per segment and then applies a buffer for mistakes or unexpected setbacks.
The fundamental equation calculates total run time T as:
Here is the number of segments, is the average time per segment, and represents the buffer percentage you reserve for mistakes. Adding a buffer prevents underestimating the run if you miss a trick or take extra time to reset after an error.
Many speedrunners study route guides and previous world records to figure out how quickly each section can be completed with practice. Your average may start higher during early attempts and gradually decrease as you improve. Mapping out expected times can help you pace yourself. If you see that a later stage normally takes fifteen minutes while the rest take ten, you might schedule a short break before that segment during a marathon event. Planning ahead also lets you communicate more accurately with event organizers and streaming moderators.
Below is a sample breakdown of a fictional game with six levels. The final column includes the buffer applied to each segment:
| Segment | Planned Time (min) | With Buffer (min) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 8 | 8.4 |
| Level 2 | 9 | 9.45 |
| Level 3 | 11 | 11.55 |
| Level 4 | 10 | 10.5 |
| Level 5 | 8 | 8.4 |
| Final Boss | 12 | 12.6 |
A common strategy is to record personal best times for each segment separately. The buffer accounts for the difference between those best times and your average performance on a full run. You might add a smaller buffer if you're comfortable with resets or if the game is very consistent. Conversely, a complex game with heavy random elements could require a much larger buffer. Long tricks with punishing fail states might deserve an even bigger cushion, as losing progress can set you back minutes at a time.
Safety saves are check-points that give you a chance to retry tough segments without replaying everything that came before. The downside is that saving and loading take time. Decide whether to include these moments in your average or treat them as part of the buffer. Some marathon runners opt for slower but safer strats to finish reliably in front of a crowd. Others chase pure speed, accepting the risk of failure. Your approach depends on your personal goals and the expectations of the event.
Streaming a speedrun can draw a lively audience that cheers on your progress. However, interacting with viewers can slow you down if you read chat messages or respond to donations. Consider allocating a portion of your buffer to planned interactions, especially if you run a charity event or if your channel thrives on personal engagement. By estimating run time in advance, you can schedule break points to thank supporters without sacrificing your pace.
Different versions or ports of a game sometimes have varying level loads, cutscene lengths, or bugs. These differences can shift times slightly compared to the world record route. Random number generation (RNG) adds further unpredictability. You might chart multiple possible outcomes and average them. If an RPG has a random encounter every minute on average, include this in the segment time. Some runners even program practice mods to simulate worst-case scenarios so they are prepared when luck runs dry.
Using this estimator regularly helps you gauge progress. After each attempt, log the actual time per segment. Over weeks or months, you'll see trends that highlight where to focus practice. Perhaps Level 3 remains stubbornly slow even though other segments have dropped significantly. In that case, refine your strats or watch top runners to spot new timesavers. Each adjustment in route or movement eventually brings the total closer to your goal.
Elite speedrunners often develop extensive spreadsheets to refine their runs. They test alternative paths, compute expected times, and share results with the community. This calculator serves as a lightweight companion to those spreadsheets. It's also useful for new runners who want a straightforward estimate without advanced tools. Once you establish a baseline, you can iterate on your route and adjust your estimates accordingly.
Speedrunning is part puzzle, part performance. Estimating your run time helps you approach the challenge strategically. By considering average segment times and a sensible buffer, you prepare for both the highs and lows of a record attempt. Whether you're practicing for a charity marathon, a leaderboard push, or a friendly race with friends, this calculator provides a starting point. Use it to set realistic goals, schedule practice sessions, and share your predicted completion time with viewers. May your next run be smooth and your splits forever gold.
Convert Unix timestamps to readable dates and convert dates back to epoch seconds with this easy Unix Timestamp Converter for developers.
Determine how long your uninterruptible power supply will run during an outage using battery capacity, load wattage, and inverter efficiency.
Evaluate indoor comfort by calculating predicted mean vote (PMV) and percentage of dissatisfied (PPD) using temperature, humidity, clothing, and activity levels.