Olympic swimming pool Official Size

An Olympic swimming pool is 50 metres long and 25 metres wide, with 10 lanes and a depth of at least 2 metres (3 m recommended for competition). Filled, it holds roughly 2.5 million litres (660,000 US gallons) of water.

This guide covers the exact pool dimensions, the lane layout, the depth and volume, and how the pool compares to a soccer field, a tennis court, and a running track.

Quick Answer: How Big Is an Olympic Pool?

A World Aquatics “long course” pool is 50.0 m long, 25.0 m wide, and at least 2.0 m deep (3.0 m recommended). It has 10 lanes of 2.5 m each, though races use lanes 2 – 9 with lanes 1 and 10 as buffers. Water volume at 2 m depth is about 2,500 m3 = 2.5 million litres.

Olympic Pool Dimensions at a Glance

• Surface: 50 x 25 m = 1,250 m2
• Lanes: 10, each 2.5 m wide; 0.2 m of space beyond lanes 1 and 10 to the wall
• Depth: 2 m minimum under World Aquatics rules; 3 m at major championships for less wave reflection
• Water temperature: 25 – 28 C for competition
• Volume: 2,500 m3 at 2 m depth, 3,750 m3 at 3 m depth
• “Short course” pool: 25 m long, half the length, used for a separate set of world records

What Does an Olympic Pool Look Like in Size?

The pool surface is 50 m long, the same as the straight of a 400 m running track, and 25 m wide, about the width of a doubles tennis court plus half again. Its 1,250 m2 surface is roughly a fifth of a soccer pitch. The 2.5 million litres it holds would fill about 31,000 standard bathtubs.

6 Everyday Comparisons for an Olympic Swimming Pool

1. A soccer field (105 x 68 m) is about 5.7 times the area of the pool surface.
2. An NBA basketball court (28.65 x 15.24 m) is a little over one-third the pool’s length and about 60% of its width.
3. A tennis court (23.77 x 10.97 m) is less than half the length and under half the width.
4. A 25 m “short course” pool is exactly half the length of an Olympic pool.
5. A single lane (50 x 2.5 m) is about the footprint of two shipping containers end to end and one wide.
6. The 100 m sprint straight in athletics is twice the pool’s length.

Olympic Pool Size in Different Units

How Much Water Does an Olympic Pool Hold?

At the 2 m minimum depth: 50 x 25 x 2 = 2,500 m3, which is 2.5 million litres or about 660,000 US gallons. At the 3 m championship depth it is 3,750 m3 (3.75 million litres). Filling one from empty with a typical municipal supply takes one to two days, and the water is filtered and recirculated continuously rather than replaced.

Common Mistakes When Comparing Olympic Pool Dimensions

1. Assuming a 25 m pool is “Olympic.” A 25 m pool is “short course”; Olympic (long course) is 50 m.
2. Thinking all 10 lanes are raced. Competitions use lanes 2 – 9; lanes 1 and 10 absorb waves.
3. Quoting one depth. The rules require 2 m minimum; major events use 3 m to reduce turbulence.
4. Using “Olympic-sized pool” loosely. Many venues advertised that way are 25 m or an odd length; a true Olympic pool is exactly 50.0 m.
5. Forgetting the touchpads. Electronic timing pads at each end reduce the swimming length to about 49.9 m, but the pool is still built to 50 m.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is an Olympic swimming pool?

50 metres (about 164 feet).

How wide is an Olympic swimming pool?

25 metres (about 82 feet), with 10 lanes of 2.5 m.

How deep is an Olympic pool?

At least 2 m; 3 m is recommended and used at major championships.

How much water does an Olympic pool hold?

About 2.5 million litres (660,000 US gallons) at 2 m depth.

Is a 25 m pool Olympic-sized?

No. That is a “short course” pool. Olympic (long course) pools are 50 m.

How many lanes does an Olympic pool have?

10, though races are swum in lanes 2 through 9.

Final Takeaway

An Olympic swimming pool is 50 x 25 m, at least 2 m deep, with 10 lanes of 2.5 m, and it holds about 2.5 million litres. A 25 m pool is “short course,” not Olympic, and championship pools go to 3 m deep to keep the water calmer for record swims.