Ranking updated
How to track swim times against time standards
The touchpad stops the clock and the scoreboard flashes a time. Is it a cut? A best time? Closer to the next level than last month? For competitive swimmers and their parents, those questions come after every race, and a tidy log answers them before you leave the pool.
How to keep a swim time log and read it against standards, then a swim standards app. Time standards and qualifying cuts are published by your national federation, region or meet organiser and change between seasons. Always check the official cuts for the meet you are entering.
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Write down every official time
Record the event, the distance, the course (short or long, metres or yards), the date and the meet. Practice times are useful, but keep them separate from meet results.
Compare like with like
A time in a short course pool is not the same as one in a long course pool. Compare times only within the same course, and use the standards for that course.
Think in seasons
Swimmers improve unevenly. A season view shows progress that one meet can hide. Pick the next standard up as a goal and celebrate when it falls. For dry-land training, see workout apps.
Support from the side of the pool
For parents, a shared log keeps everyone calm and clear. Sleep and recovery matter for young athletes too; see how to sleep better. For running alongside swimming, see running apps.
| Step | What you do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Log each race | event, course, date, time | a clean history |
| 2. Know your standards | federation, region, age group | the right targets |
| 3. Same course only | short or long course | fair comparisons |
| 4. Season view | progress over months | less pressure per race |
| 5. Next goal | the next standard up | clear motivation |
Frequently asked questions
What are swimming time standards?
Target times for each event and age group, published by a federation or region, used for levels and meet qualification.
Can I compare short course and long course times?
Not directly. Compare times within the same course.
Where do I find the official qualifying times?
From your national federation, region or the meet organiser.