Click here to visit the Pacific Swimming time standards page.

C, B, BB, A, AA, AAA, and AAAA

These time classifications are the motivational time standards used by all of United States Swimming. These times are benchmarks for swimmers to track their progress and encourage improvement and are often used to qualify for different levels of meets.  The times are updated every four years and are based on the 16th place time from the previous four years, which is then adjusted by age group and standard level.

"C" time is below the B standard, while "AAAA" times are the fastest, indicating a swimmer is in the top 2% nationally for their age, gender, stroke, and distance.  

• AAAA: Top 2% - 
  • This standard is often used for USA Swimming's National Select Camps held at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center (OPTC).
• AAA: Top 6%
• AA: Top 8%
• A: Top 15% 
  • Age Group meets often award medals for first-time achievement.
• BB: Top 35%
• B: Top 55% 
  • Typically the first milestone a swimmer hits showing technical skill.
• C: All times below the "B" standard

Age Group Championships (AGC) & Far Westerns (FW)

These time standards may be specific to Pacific Swimming. Age Group Championships and Far Westerns are the highest level of age-group swimming in our region.

Senior Swimming

Meets in the senior program are generally one of four categories: Senior Open and Senior 2.  Meets in the senior program typically only open to athletes 13 and over as long as they have achieved the listed time standard in the event the swimmer wishes to enter in the meet.

Sectional Championships

Sectional Championships is the stepping-stone meet for swimmers who are developing into the fastest swimmers in the nation. The qualifying time standard established for the Sectional Championships are open to senior swimmers from Pacific Swimming and other California LSC’s and is located in the Pacific Swimming Guide.

Futures Championships

Futures time standards in swimming are specific qualifying times needed to enter the USA Swimming Futures Championships. These times are faster than the sectional level but slower than Junior Nationals, serving as a stepping stone for developing swimmers to compete at a higher level. The standards vary by event, stroke, and whether the meet is in long course (LCM) or short course (SCY) events.

Junior National Championships

The qualifying time standard for the Junior National Championship meet lies between Sectional Championships and National Championships. Junior Nationals is typically held in August each year.

National Championships

Senior National Championships is the highest time standard used for the United States Swimming National Championships and Olympic Trials. Held twice a year, there are spring and summer meets.