How the World Aquatics Points Table Ranks Swimming Performances

Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.

The World Aquatics Points Table compares swimming performances across events by assigning point values based on athletes' times.

Points (P) are calculated using: P = 1000 × (B / T)³, where T is the swim time in seconds and B is the base time in seconds. This cubic curve gives higher points to faster times.

Base times are annual benchmarks for 1000 points and are updated yearly to match the latest World Aquatics world records. Separate tables and base times exist for short course meters (SCM) and long course meters (LCM) events, with specific cut-off dates for each set.

Points in current tables are truncated to integers, whereas tables through 2009 used rounded values. Base times for short course are set as of August 31, and for long course by December 31, with updated times published within a month after these dates.

This system ensures consistent, standardized scoring across swimming disciplines, enabling global performance comparisons.