How Long Is a Swimming Pool Lap?

There are four official standard lengths for competition swimming pools: 25 yards, 25 meters, 50 yards and 50 meters. Yard-length pools are more common throughout the United States, while other countries typically measure pools in meters.

  1. One Lap

    • One lap is considered swimming from one end of the pool to the other. Depending on the length of the sanctioned pool, these laps can range from 25 yards to 50 meters.

    25-Yard Pools

    • The 25-yard pools are standard for high school meets in the United States. They are the shorter in comparison to the other three standard lengths. They are employed in "short-course" competitions (SCY: short-course yards).

    25-Meter Pools

    • The 25-meter pools are also considered short-course pools (SCM: short-course meters). Stretching approximately 8 feet longer than a 25-yard pool, they are the international standard for short-course pools.

    50-Yard Pools

    • The 50-yard pool is least commonly found throughout the world, the reason being most longer pools (even in the United States) are built in meters. Swum in competition for long-course events (LCY: long-course yards), they are rarely found outside of the U.S.

    50-Meter Pools

    • Most prominently seen in higher-level competitions--including the Olympics and swimming 's world championships--is the 50-meter pool. This long-course standard (LCM: long-course meters) is the measurement for official international records throughout the world.