Swimming FINA Points Calculator
Score any swim against the world record with FINA (World Aquatics) points, using the standard cubed-ratio formula.
How it works
FINA points = 1000 × (Base time ÷ Your time)³
FINA (now World Aquatics) points put every event on one scale by cubing the ratio of the world-record base time to your time and multiplying by 1000. A performance exactly equal to the base scores 1000 points, and because the ratio is cubed, small time gains near the record are worth a lot of points. This lets you compare a 50m freestyle to a 400m medley, or rank a mixed-event meet on a single ladder.
Worked example
With a base (world record) of 20.91 s and your time of 30.00 s: 1000 × (20.91 / 30.00)³ = 1000 × 0.697³ = 1000 × 0.339 = 339 FINA points.
Sources: FINA points — Wikipedia
Frequently asked questions
What time scores 1000 points?
Exactly the base time — the world record for that event, course and sex. World Aquatics recalculates the base times annually, so the same swim can be worth slightly different points from year to year.
Why is the ratio cubed?
Cubing makes the scale reward performances close to the record much more steeply than midpack times, spreading elite swims out and compressing slower ones. It reflects how much harder each additional tenth is near the limit.
Can I compare short-course and long-course swims?
Only if you use the matching base time. Short-course (25m) and long-course (50m) events have separate world records, so use the base time for the exact course your swim was in.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.