What may a swimmer wear in a race?
Officials' detail · Penalties, kit, records and the pool · 1 of 2A swimmer must wear a swimsuit and may wear goggles and a cap, all of an approved kind. Men's suits may not go above the navel or below the knee. Women's may not cover the neck, pass the shoulders or go below the knee. Anything that aids speed, buoyancy or endurance is banned. So is pacing.
How it works
- What is worn: "an Athlete must wear a swimsuit and may wear goggles and/or a cap".
- Approved: swimwear for World Aquatics competitions must be approved by World Aquatics and appear on its list.
- Men's suits: "shall not extend above the navel or below the knee". They are in one piece.
- Women's suits: "shall not cover the neck or extend past the shoulders, or below the knee". They may be in one or two pieces.
- The material: textile fabric only.
- Nothing else: other items covering the body that are not part of the swimsuit are prohibited.
- Aids: an athlete must not wear or use any device or swimwear that may aid speed, buoyancy or endurance. The rule's examples are webbed gloves, flippers, fins and adhesive substances.
- Data devices: a device that only collects data is permitted. It must not be able to send data, sounds or signals to the athlete or help their speed, buoyancy or endurance.
- Tape: allowed on one or two fingers or toes, including binding two together, if it is needed to treat or protect an injury.
- Pacing: an athlete must not act as a pacemaker for another, or use "any pacemaking device or plan".
- The check: call room judges report any possible swimwear breach to the call room supervisor, who reports a breach to the referee.
The glossary calls the last of these pacemaking.
Tricky cases
Can a man race in a suit that covers his chest?
No. Men's suits may not extend above the navel.
Can a swimmer race wearing a smartwatch that buzzes at a set pace?
No. A device may collect data, but it must not be able to send signals to the swimmer, and pacemaking devices are banned.
Can a swimmer tape a sprained finger to the one beside it?
Yes. Tape on one or two fingers, including to bind two together, is allowed where it is needed to treat or protect an injury.
Are goggles compulsory?
No. A swimsuit must be worn. Goggles and a cap may be worn.
Why the rule exists
In 2008 and 2009 full-length suits made partly of polyurethane trapped air and held the body higher in the water, and world records fell by the dozen. The limits on coverage and material were the response. The principle since then is that the suit covers the swimmer and the swimmer does the swimming.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Aquatics rules | As above | SW 14; SW 10.2.9; SW 2.6 |
| The suit rules | In Part One of the regulations, which was read in the January 2025 edition | Part One, Article 7 (2025) |
| Open water swimming | Suits may reach the ankle, and wetsuits are used in cold water | Part One, Article 7.5.1.1.2 (2025) |
| Records | A record needs permitted swimwear | SW 12.3.1 |
From the rule book
World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part Two: Swimming Rules (in force as from February 2026), Articles 2.6, 10.2.9, 12.3.1 and 14. Swimwear: World Aquatics, Competition Regulations, Part One, Article 7, in force as from 1 January 2025. The 2026 swimming rules point to "Article 6 of Part One", so the numbering has changed and the 2026 text was not read. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Aquatics Competition Regulations (PDF).