Swim tracking guide
How to use swimming target gaps
A target gap is the distance between where a swimmer is now and a time they are aiming for. Used well, it turns a vague hope into a clear next step. Used badly, it becomes a stick.
Direct answer
A target gap is the difference between a swimmer's current PB and a chosen target time for the same event and course. Read it as seconds away, as a percentage, or as a simple status such as close or longer-term, and use it to choose where to focus rather than to judge the swimmer.
What a target gap shows
The gap answers a practical question: how far is this swimmer from a time that matters to them. That might be a County style target, a club standard or simply their own next round number.
It only makes sense when the target and the PB share the same event and course. Comparing a long course PB with a short course target produces a gap that does not mean anything.
Turn seconds into a plan
A two second gap over 100m is very different from a two second gap over 50m. Reading the gap as a percentage of the time can make small and large gaps easier to compare across events.
Use the gap to choose focus events. An event where the swimmer is close is worth racing again soon, while a larger gap might be a season-long project rather than a next-meet goal.
Keep targets as context
A target is planning context, not a promise. Meeting a time often makes an entry eligible to be considered, but meet conditions, windows and caps still apply, so a closed gap is not the same as a confirmed place.
Pair the gap with the swimmer's own trend. Steady improvement toward a target is a good story even when the gap is still open, and it keeps attention on progress rather than on a single line in a table.
How PB Pathway shows the gap
Standards Pathway can show how close a swimmer's PBs are to County, Regional and National style targets, using selected qualifying-time context where source data exists. Coverage varies by county, region, season and course.
PB Pathway is independent and does not imply endorsement by any governing body, and meeting a target in the app does not guarantee qualification or entry. Always check official meet information before entering.
FAQ
What is a target gap in swimming?
It is the difference between a swimmer's current PB and a target time for the same event and course, often shown as seconds away or as a percentage.
Should I only focus on the closest target?
The closest target is useful for choosing where to race next, but steady PB progress and coach guidance matter just as much as any single gap.
Does closing the gap mean I have qualified?
Not on its own. Meeting a time often makes an entry eligible to be considered, but meet conditions, windows and caps still apply. Always check the official meet information.
Why compare gaps as percentages?
A fixed number of seconds means more over a short event than a long one. A percentage makes gaps easier to compare fairly across different distances.
Does PB Pathway list every qualifying time?
No. It shows selected qualifying-time context where source data exists, and coverage varies by county, region, season and course.
Related resources
Swimming qualifying times: County, Regional and National explained
A UK guide to swimming qualifying times across County, Regional and National pathways, including course, age group, season window and consideration times.
How close am I to County swimming times?
How to work out how close a swimmer is to County qualifying times by event and course, read the gap sensibly, and plan the next realistic step.
How to plan around swimming qualifying times
How to build a calm season plan around swimming qualifying times: pick focus events, line up the right meets, mind the window and avoid chasing every target.
Qualifying time vs consideration time in swimming
The difference between a qualifying time and a consideration time in UK swimming, how each affects entry and selection, and how to plan around both.
See how this looks in a private swimmer dashboard.
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