25-yard swimming pool (Short Course) Lengths in Miles Yards Laps 800 yards for half a mile 32 different lengths 16 Laps One mile (Olympic Distance) is approximately 1700 yards. 68 different lengths 34 Laps 2000 yards, 1.2 miles (Half Ironman Distance). 80 laps, 80 lengths 4000 yards, 2.4 miles (Ironman Distance). 160 measurements 80 Laps The number of laps required to complete a mile depends on the sort of swimming pool where you are working out. It will most likely take place in a 25-yard (SCY), 25-meter (SCM), or 50-meter (LCM) pool. In a meter pool, your "25" time will be slower. However, because a meter pool is longer, you will wind up swimming fewer laps to complete a mile. There are also Olympic-size swimming pools, which are 50 meters in length.