Swimming Pace Calculator
Calculate your swimming pace per 100 yards or 100 meters for all swimming strokes. Compare pool and open water performance, predict race times, and track your swimming progress across different distances.
What is a good swimming pace per 100 yards?
For freestyle: Elite swimmers: under 55 seconds per 100y. Advanced: 55-70 seconds. Intermediate: 70-90 seconds. Beginner: 90-120 seconds. Novice: over 120 seconds. Breaststroke is typically 20-30% slower, backstroke 5-10% slower, and butterfly similar to or slightly slower than freestyle.
How do I calculate my swimming pace?
Divide your total time by the distance, then multiply by 100 to get pace per 100 yards/meters. Example: Swimming 500 yards in 7 minutes (420 seconds): 420 ÷ 500 = 0.84 seconds per yard × 100 = 84 seconds per 100 yards = 1:24 pace per 100y.
What is the difference between SCY, SCM, and LCM?
SCY (Short Course Yards) = 25-yard pool. SCM (Short Course Meters) = 25-meter pool. LCM (Long Course Meters) = 50-meter pool (Olympic size). SCY times are fastest due to more turns and push-offs. Converting: SCM is ~11% slower than SCY, LCM is ~13% slower than SCY for the same distance.
How do pool times compare to open water swimming?
Open water swimming is typically 10-20% slower than pool swimming due to: lack of turns/push-offs, waves and currents, sighting requirements, less efficient navigation, wetsuit drag (or cold water without wetsuit), and psychological factors. A 1:30/100y pool swimmer might be 1:40-1:50/100y in open water.
How can I improve my swimming pace?
Key improvements come from: 1) Better technique and body position (reduces drag), 2) Efficient breathing patterns, 3) Strong kick and pull, 4) Interval training (build speed and endurance), 5) Strength training (especially core and shoulders), 6) Regular practice and consistency, 7) Video analysis of stroke mechanics, 8) Working with a coach on stroke refinement.
What pace should I swim for a triathlon?
For sprint triathlon (750m): Aim for a sustainable pace you can hold, typically 10-20 seconds slower per 100m than your best 400m pace. Olympic distance (1500m): 15-25 seconds slower than 400m pace. Remember to conserve energy for bike and run. Most triathletes swim at 70-80% effort to save energy.
How do different strokes compare in speed?
Typical speed ranking from fastest to slowest: 1) Freestyle (fastest, most efficient), 2) Butterfly (powerful but tiring, similar speed to freestyle for short distances), 3) Backstroke (5-10% slower than freestyle), 4) Breaststroke (20-30% slower, creates most drag). Individual Medley (IM) pace is roughly 10-15% slower than pure freestyle.