Official Olympic pool dimensions
| Measurement | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 50 m | 164 ft 0.5 in |
| Width | 25 m | 82 ft 0.25 in |
| Minimum depth | 2 m | 6 ft 7 in |
| Depth at major championships | 3 m | 9 ft 10 in |
| Lanes | 10 lanes at 2.5 m | 10 lanes at 8 ft 2 in |
| Water temperature | 25 to 28 C | 77 to 82 F |
The volume math, step by step
50 m x 25 m x 2 m = 2,500 cubic metres = 2,500,000 litres
Litres = cubic metres x 1,000. US gallons = cubic metres x 264.172.
- Surface area: 50 x 25 = 1,250 square metres.
- Volume: 1,250 x 2 = 2,500 cubic metres.
- Litres: 2,500 x 1,000 = 2,500,000 litres.
- US gallons: 2,500 x 264.172 = 660,430 gallons.
- Imperial gallons: 660,430 x 0.832674 = 549,930 gallons.
Olympic pool volume at different depths
| Depth | Cubic metres | Litres | US gallons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 m minimum | 2,500 | 2,500,000 | 660,430 |
| 2.5 m | 3,125 | 3,125,000 | 825,538 |
| 3.0 m championship | 3,750 | 3,750,000 | 990,645 |
How other competition pools compare
| Pool | Size | Litres | US gallons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic, long course | 50 x 25 x 2 m | 2,500,000 | 660,430 |
| Short course, 25 m | 25 x 25 x 2 m | 1,250,000 | 330,215 |
| Short course yards, 25 yd | 25 yd x 45 ft x 5 ft | 477,900 | 126,234 |
| Diving well | 25 x 25 x 5 m | 3,125,000 | 825,538 |
| Water polo, deep | 30 x 20 x 2.2 m | 1,320,000 | 348,707 |
| Community 6 lane | 25 x 12.5 x 1.6 m | 500,000 | 132,086 |
How many home pools fit in an Olympic pool
| Home pool | US gallons | Fits inside one Olympic pool |
|---|---|---|
| 16 x 32 ft inground | 19,150 | about 34 times |
| 12 x 24 ft inground | 10,772 | about 61 times |
| 24 ft round above ground | 13,536 | about 49 times |
| Plunge pool | 3,350 | about 197 times |
| Hot tub | 600 | about 1,100 times |
People say something is measured in Olympic pools because the number is easy to picture. It is also why the phrase shows up in water use reporting, where one Olympic pool is treated as a clean 2.5 megalitre unit.
What that much water needs
- Turnover at 4 hours takes about 2,750 US gallons per minute of pump flow.
- Filling from a 100 mm main takes roughly 24 to 48 hours.
- Heating from 20 C to 27 C needs about 20,000 kWh of energy input.
- A single 1 ppm chlorine adjustment uses roughly 2.5 kg of calcium hypochlorite.
Running the same math on your own pool? Start with the pool volume calculator, then size the gear with the pool pump size calculator and the pool heater size calculator.
Related video
olympic pool volume FAQs
How many litres are in an Olympic swimming pool?
2,500,000 litres at the minimum competition depth of 2 m. At the 3 m depth used in championship venues it holds 3,750,000 litres.
How many gallons is an Olympic pool?
About 660,430 US gallons, which is 549,930 imperial gallons.
What are the dimensions of an Olympic pool?
50 m long, 25 m wide and at least 2 m deep, with 10 lanes at 2.5 m each.
How many backyard pools equal an Olympic pool?
About 34 standard 16 by 32 ft inground pools, or roughly 49 above ground pools of 24 ft diameter.
More pool guides
- Average Pool Volume by Pool Type
What a typical pool holds, by type, plus what the average costs to run.
- Pool Volume by Size: Full Gallons Chart
Look up your pool size and read the gallons straight off the chart, no math needed.
- Pool Volume Formula for Every Pool Shape
All the pool volume formulas, the constants behind them, and a worked example for each shape.