Free tool
Swim course converter (SCY / SCM / LCM)
Enter a time and convert it between short-course yards, short-course meters, and long-course meters — a quick estimate for planning and goal-setting.
Key takeaways
- SCY (25-yard) and SCM (25-meter) pools have more turns, so times are generally faster than LCM (50-meter).
- This tool is a planning estimate, not official meet seeding.
- Official qualifying conversions use USA Swimming’s per-event factors and turn counts.
- Great for goal-setting when your season switches course type.
Estimate for planning only. Official meet seeding uses USA Swimming's per-event conversion (stroke, distance, and turn count), so qualifying times may differ.
About this tool
Swimmers move between yard and meter pools across the season, and a time in one course does not equal the same time in another. This converter gives a fast, freestyle-centric estimate so you can set goals — but it is not a substitute for the official conversion meets use to seed qualifying times.
How it works
- 1
Enter a time
Type the time you swam (m:ss.xx).
- 2
Pick the courses
Choose the pool you swam it in and the pool you want to convert to.
- 3
Read the estimate
Use the result for planning — check official standards for qualifying.
Frequently asked
Why is my short-course time faster than long-course?
Short-course pools (25 yards or 25 meters) have more walls, and every turn gives a push-off and underwater that is faster than swimming. More turns means faster times for the same swimmer.
Is this the official USA Swimming conversion?
No. This is a quick, freestyle-centric estimate for planning. Official seeding and qualifying use USA Swimming’s per-event conversion factors and turn increments, which vary by stroke and distance.
Can I convert between yards and meters distances too?
This converts times between course types. For qualifying, always check the official time standards for your meet and event.
Set your cross-course goals
Estimate your target, turn it into splits, and carry them on an EHLStat tattoo.