Last updated: 4 October 2026
Reviewed by Jordan Morley, FA Level 2 Football Coach
Calories burned swimming
Estimated burn
—
Top picks compared
| Pick | Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick | Garmin Swim 2 Watch | Estimates calories, tracks strokes and laps across every session. | Check price → |
| Option | Training Swimsuit (Chlorine-Resistant) | Durable, drag-reducing suit built for high-volume training. | Check price → |
| Option | Kickboard (Training Aid) | Add leg-focused sets to raise your workout intensity and burn. | Check price → |
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices shown on Amazon at time of click.
Frequently asked questions
Does swimming burn more than running?
Vigorous butterfly can rival or exceed running, but easy swimming burns less per minute than running. Swimming's big advantage is being low-impact, so you can train longer without joint stress.
Which stroke burns the most calories?
Butterfly burns the most calories per minute of any stroke because it demands full-body power on every cycle, followed by breaststroke and freestyle, with backstroke generally the least demanding of the four competitive strokes.