Swimming Pace Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the swimming pace calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Swimming Pace Calculator

Formulas Used

Pace per 100m (min)

pace_min = floor(pace_per_100 / 60)

Pace per 100m (sec)

pace_sec = round(pace_per_100 - floor(pace_per_100 / 60) * 60)

Speed

speed_mps = round(distance_m / total_seconds * 100) / 100

Pace per 100 yards

pace_per_100yd = round(pace_per_100 * 0.9144)

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
distance_mDistance(meters)1500
minutesMinutes(min)25
secondsSeconds(sec)0
total_secondsDerived value= minutes * 60 + secondscalculated
pace_per_100Derived value= total_seconds / (distance_m / 100)calculated

How It Works

How Swimming Pace Is Calculated

Formula

Pace per 100m = Total Time (sec) / (Distance / 100)

Benchmarks (per 100m freestyle)

  • Beginner: 2:30-3:00
  • Intermediate: 1:45-2:15
  • Advanced: 1:15-1:45
  • Competitive: 1:00-1:15
  • Elite: Under 1:00

    • Yards vs Meters

    US pools are typically 25 yards; international pools are 25m or 50m. Multiply yard pace by 0.9144 to approximate meter pace, though pool length and turns also affect times.

    Worked Example

    Calculate pace for 1500m in 25 minutes flat.

    distance_m = 1500minutes = 25seconds = 0
    1. 01Total seconds = 25 x 60 + 0 = 1500 seconds.
    2. 02Number of 100m segments = 1500 / 100 = 15.
    3. 03Pace per 100m = 1500 / 15 = 100 seconds = 1:40.
    4. 04Speed = 1500 / 1500 = 1.00 m/s.

    Ready to run the numbers?

    Open Swimming Pace Calculator