Swim Time Converter
Convert any swim time between Short Course Yards (SCY, 25-yard pool), Short Course Meters (SCM, 25-meter pool), and Long Course Meters (LCM, 50-meter pool). Enter a single time or convert a whole event lineup at once — the converter applies stroke- and distance-specific factors so the result is directly comparable to rankings and standards in the target course.
Conversions use the widely adopted Colorado Swimming (CO) factor set used across U.S. Masters Swimming and age-group swimming: a 1.11 multiplier between yards and meters, plus a per-event adjustment for the extra turns in a shorter pool. Times round to the nearest hundredth, matching how meet results are reported.
Track a USMS swimmer and the converter can pull their personal bests so every event converts in one pass. No account is required to convert times by hand.
Openlane is an independent analytics project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by U.S. Masters Swimming.
Swim time conversion factors (SCY, SCM, LCM)
| Event | SCY → SCM | SCY → LCM | SCM → LCM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 Freestyle | × 1.11 | × 1.11 + 0.8 s | + 0.8 s |
| 100 Freestyle | × 1.11 | × 1.11 + 1.6 s | + 1.6 s |
| 200 Freestyle | × 1.11 | × 1.11 + 3.2 s | + 3.2 s |
| 500 Freestyle | × 0.8925 − 6.4 s | × 0.8925 | + 6.4 s |
| 1000 Freestyle | × 0.8925 − 12.8 s | × 0.8925 | + 12.8 s |
| 1650 Freestyle | × 1.02 − 24 s | × 1.02 | + 24 s |
| 50 Backstroke | × 1.11 | × 1.11 + 0.6 s | + 0.6 s |
| 100 Backstroke | × 1.11 | × 1.11 + 1.2 s | + 1.2 s |
| 200 Backstroke | × 1.11 | × 1.11 + 2.4 s | + 2.4 s |
| 50 Breaststroke | × 1.11 | × 1.11 + 1 s | + 1 s |
| 100 Breaststroke | × 1.11 | × 1.11 + 2 s | + 2 s |
| 200 Breaststroke | × 1.11 | × 1.11 + 4 s | + 4 s |
| 50 Butterfly | × 1.11 | × 1.11 + 0.7 s | + 0.7 s |
| 100 Butterfly | × 1.11 | × 1.11 + 1.4 s | + 1.4 s |
| 200 Butterfly | × 1.11 | × 1.11 + 2.6 s | + 2.8 s |
| 100 IM | × 1.11 | — | — |
| 200 IM | × 1.11 | × 1.11 + 3.2 s | + 3.2 s |
| 400 IM | × 1.11 | × 1.11 + 6.4 s | + 6.4 s |
Frequently asked questions
How do you convert a swim time between SCY, SCM, and LCM?
Multiply the time in seconds by a course factor and add a per-event adjustment for the difference in turns. Going from a 25-yard pool (SCY) to a meter pool, times are multiplied by about 1.11 because a meter is longer than a yard; a fixed number of seconds is then added for the events with fewer turns in a longer pool. This converter applies the right factor automatically once you pick the event and the two courses.
Why is the same swim slower in a 50-meter pool than a 25-yard pool?
A 50-meter (long course) pool has half as many walls as a 25-yard (short course) pool over the same race, so a swimmer pushes off and streamlines off the wall far less often. Fewer turns means less free speed, so long course meter times are slower than the equivalent short course yard time even before accounting for the longer distance of a meter versus a yard.
Does the stroke and distance change the conversion factor?
Yes. The yard-to-meter multiplier is the same, but the per-event turn adjustment grows with distance (more turns to lose) and varies slightly by stroke. A 50 freestyle and a 200 breaststroke do not convert by the same number of seconds, which is why this tool uses stroke- and distance-specific factors rather than one blanket formula.
What conversion factors does this tool use?
It uses the widely adopted Colorado Swimming (CO) conversion factor set — the same factor table used across U.S. Masters Swimming and age-group swimming. Yard-to-meter conversions use a 1.11 multiplier, distance freestyle events (500/400, 1000/800, 1650/1500) use their own factors, and each event adds the appropriate per-turn time adjustment. Results round to the nearest hundredth of a second.
Can I use a converted time to enter a meet or qualify?
A converted time is an estimate of equivalent performance, not an official result. Use it to set goals, seed practice, or compare a yard time to a meter standard, but meet entries and qualifying times must come from an actual swim in the target course.
Is the swim time converter free?
Yes. The converter is free and runs in your browser with no account required. Signing in and tracking a swimmer is optional — it lets you pull a swimmer’s personal bests and convert a full event lineup in one pass instead of entering times by hand.
What do SCY, SCM, and LCM mean?
SCY is short course yards, a 25-yard pool. SCM is short course meters, a 25-meter pool. LCM is long course meters, a 50-meter Olympic-size pool. Times are not directly comparable between the three, which is why a converter is needed to line them up.