Swim Time Converter SCY to LCM, LCM to SCY
A free swimming time converter for short course to long course conversion: SCY to LCM, LCM to SCY and LCM to SCM, across all four strokes — using the official USA Swimming and FINA tables.
Format : m:ss.cc ou ss.cc
Source · Table FFN 2023
SCY, SCM and LCM: how to convert swim times between pools
Swimmers race in three pool formats — short course yards (SCY, a 25-yard pool), short course meters (SCM, a 25m pool) and long course meters (LCM, a 50m Olympic pool). The same swimmer posts a different time in each, because the number of turns and the pool length change. Converting between SCY, SCM and LCM lets you compare performances, set realistic goals and build your sets around the right target times.
No single percentage works across the board: turns and underwater streamlines help each stroke differently, so backstroke and breaststroke convert differently from freestyle. The converter above uses the official USA Swimming and FINA factors for every stroke and distance, in both directions — SCY to LCM, LCM to SCY, SCM to SCY and back.
Frequently asked questions
How do you convert SCY to LCM?
To convert a short course yards (25-yard) time to long course meters (50m), USA Swimming and FINA publish official conversion factors that vary by stroke and distance. A 25-yard pool has more turns and a shorter distance than a 50m pool, so SCY times are faster — the converter applies the right factor per event rather than a single flat percentage. Enter your SCY time above and select LCM as the target to get the converted time instantly.
How do you convert LCM to SCY?
Converting long course meters (50m) back to short course yards (25-yard) works the same way in reverse: the tool applies the inverse USA Swimming / FINA factor for that stroke and distance. Because a 25-yard pool is shorter and has more turns, the converted SCY time is faster than the original LCM time. Select LCM as the source and SCY as the target above.
What is the difference between SCY, SCM and LCM in swimming?
SCY is short course yards (a 25-yard pool, used mostly in the United States), SCM is short course meters (a 25m pool) and LCM is long course meters (a 50m Olympic pool). The same swimmer posts different times in each because the number of turns and the pool length change — which is exactly why a conversion is needed to compare performances.
Why are short course (SCY/SCM) times faster than long course (LCM)?
Every turn lets a swimmer push off the wall and travel underwater faster than they can swim at the surface. A 100 in a 25m or 25-yard pool has more turns than the same distance in a 50m pool, so short course times come out faster — typically by roughly one to several seconds depending on the stroke and distance.
Is this swim time converter free?
Yes. The SCY ↔ SCM ↔ LCM converter is completely free, requires no account and uses the official USA Swimming and FINA conversion tables for all four strokes.
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