How long is an artistic swimming routine, and what happens if it runs over?
I · Intermediate · The routines · 2 of 7Between 2 minutes for a solo technical routine and 3 minutes 30 seconds for a team free routine, with five seconds allowed either way. The time includes up to ten seconds of movement on the deck. Running outside the limit, or taking too long over the walk-on or the deck movements, costs eight points each time.
How it works
- Solo: technical 2:00, free 2:15.
- Women's duet and mixed duet: technical 2:20, free 2:45.
- Team: technical 2:50, free 3:30.
- Acrobatic routine and free combination: 3:00.
- The allowance: "five (5) seconds less or plus the allotted time for all routines".
- Deck movements: the limits include "ten (10) seconds for deck movement".
- The walk-on: from the starting point to a still position, no more than 20 seconds for solos and women's duets and 30 seconds for mixed duets, teams, free combinations and acrobatic routines.
- Where it starts and ends: "Routines may start on the deck or in the water, but they must finish in the water."
- The signal: the music begins on a signal from the Referee. After it the athletes must perform without interruption.
- The penalties: eight points for exceeding the walk-on limit, eight for exceeding ten seconds of deck movement, eight for a routine outside its time allowance.
- A new start: two points if an athlete interrupts the routine during the deck movements and a new start is allowed.
The glossary has the time limit, deck work and the routine penalties.
Tricky cases
A team routine lasts 3 minutes 34 seconds. Is it penalised?
No. The team free routine may run from 3:25 to 3:35.
Is a routine that is too short penalised?
Yes. The penalty applies to a deviation "less or more than" the time allowed.
Can a routine start with the swimmers already in the water?
Yes. In that case they have 20 or 30 seconds, by event, to reach a still starting position.
Does the walk-on count in the routine time?
It depends on which clock. The walk-on has its own limit, timed from the first athlete passing the starting point until the last is in position. The deck movements are timed from the start of the music and are part of the routine time.
Why the rule exists
Much of a routine is swum upside down on one breath, so a longer routine is a harder one. A fixed length keeps the test the same for everyone and keeps the sessions to time. The limit on the walk-on stops the show on the deck from growing into a second performance.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Senior and junior events | The times above | AS 14.1 |
| Age groups | Shorter limits, listed in the age group rules | AS 14.1.9; AS 25.5 |
| Gala show | A new routine of 1:00 to 1:30, where props and costumes are welcome | AS 24.3.8 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Seven: Artistic Swimming Rules (in force as from 1 January 2025), Articles 14.1 to 14.4 and 18.1.1 to 18.1.4 (repeated for each routine in 18.2 to 18.10). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).