Swim Time Converter

Convert your swim times between Short Course Yards (SCY), Long Course Meters (LCM), and Short Course Meters (SCM). Enter your event, stroke, time (minutes, seconds, hundredths), and choose your from course and to course — the converter returns your equivalent converted time using Colorado Timing's official conversion factors.

Disclaimer: This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions.

Results

Converted Time

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Converted Time (m:ss.hh)

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Original Time (m:ss.hh)

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Conversion Factor Applied

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are SCY, LCM, and SCM?

SCY stands for Short Course Yards — a 25-yard pool, common in the United States. LCM stands for Long Course Meters — a 50-meter pool used in the Olympics and most international competitions. SCM stands for Short Course Meters — a 25-meter pool used in many international short course events.

How does the swim time converter work?

The converter uses Colorado Timing's official conversion factors, which account for the different number of turns made in each pool length. More turns in a shorter pool give swimmers a slight speed advantage due to the push-off, so times are adjusted accordingly per event and stroke.

Why are conversion factors different for each stroke and distance?

Each stroke benefits differently from turns and push-offs. Breaststroke and butterfly swimmers gain more from underwater pullouts after each turn, while freestyle and backstroke have simpler turn advantages. The number of turns also varies by distance, so each event has a unique conversion factor.

Is a converted swim time an official time?

No. Converted times are estimates used for comparison purposes only. Official times can only be set by swimming the actual event in the corresponding pool type. Conversions are useful for comparing performances across different course formats.

Why is a pool mile 1,650 yards and not 1,760 yards?

A pool mile is conventionally measured as 1,650 yards (66 lengths of a 25-yard pool), which is close to but not exactly one statute mile (1,760 yards). This standard was adopted for consistency in competitive swimming and recordkeeping.

Is open water pace slower than pool pace?

Yes, typically. Open water swimming lacks the push-off advantage from turns, and swimmers must navigate currents, waves, and sighting. Most swimmers are 5–15% slower per 100 meters in open water compared to a pool setting.

Can I convert times for Individual Medley (IM)?

Yes. IM conversions apply a blended factor that accounts for all four strokes. Because breaststroke contributes more to the overall time advantage from turns, IM conversion factors tend to be slightly larger than pure freestyle factors.

Which direction of conversion gives a faster time — SCY to LCM or LCM to SCY?

Short course times are generally faster than long course times for the same swimmer because of the extra turns. So when converting SCY to LCM, your equivalent long course time will be slightly slower. Conversely, an LCM time converted to SCY will appear faster.