# What is my rowing split and watts?

Computes an indoor rowing split per 500 m, finish time or distance from the other two, with Concept2’s formulas, plus the average watts and calories.

- Page: https://www.acalculator.org/sports/rowing-calculator
- JSON spec: https://www.acalculator.org/sports/rowing-calculator.json
- Version: bb2c907ac848

## Default answer

Example with the default inputs (Distance 2,000 m, Split per 500 m 1.83333333333333 min): Your split is 1:50.0 /500 m, 263 watts, finishing in 7:20.0.

## Inputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| d | Distance | The distance rowed, for example 2,000 m. |
| t | Time | The time for the whole distance. |
| s | Split per 500 m | The average time for each 500 meters, as the monitor shows it. |

## Outputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| distance | Distance | The distance rowed, for example 2,000 m. |
| time | Time | The time for the whole distance. |
| split | Split per 500 m | The average time for each 500 meters, as the monitor shows it. |
| splitText | Split | The split per 500 m as m:ss.t. |
| timeText | Finish time | The time for the distance, as h:mm:ss.t or m:ss.t. |
| watts | Average watts | Average power: 2.80 ÷ (split in seconds ÷ 500)³. |
| calPerHour | Calories per hour | The monitor’s calorie rate: 4 × watts ÷ 1.1639 + 300. |
| calories | Calories | Calories per hour × time in hours. |

## Method

split = 500 × time ÷ distance; watts = 2.80 ÷ (split ÷ 500)³ (split in seconds); calories per hour = 4 × watts ÷ 1.1639 + 300.

## Assumptions

- The formulas are Concept2’s for its indoor rowers; other machines may show other numbers for the same effort.
- Calories use the monitor’s formula, built on a 175 lb rower with a resting rate of 300 Cal per hour.

## Worked examples

1. d = 2,000, s = 110 gives t = 440, timeText = 7:20.0, splitText = 1:50.0 /500 m, watts = 262.96018. Source: 2,000 m at a 1:50 split is 7:20, https://www.concept2.com/training/pace-calculator (retrieved 2026-10-18).
2. d = 500, t = 125 gives s = 125, watts = 179.2, calPerHour = 915.860469, calories = 31.800711. Source: A 2:05 split is 0.25 s/m and 179.2 watts, https://www.concept2.com/training/watts-calculator (retrieved 2026-10-18); Concept2, How To Use Your PM2/PM2+: Calories = (4 × average watts ÷ 1.1639) + 300 Cal/hour × time rowed in hours, https://www.concept2.com/support/monitors/pm2/how-to-use (retrieved 2026-10-18).
3. d = 6,000, t = 1,800 gives s = 150, splitText = 2:30.0 /500 m, watts = 103.703704. Source: 2,000 m at a 1:50 split is 7:20, https://www.concept2.com/training/pace-calculator (retrieved 2026-10-18).

## FAQ

### How do I calculate my rowing split?

Divide the time by the distance and multiply by 500. 2,000 m in 7:20 (440 seconds) is 440 ÷ 2,000 × 500 = 110 seconds, a split of 1:50 per 500 m.

### What is a 2k split calculator?

It turns a target 2,000 m time into the split to hold, or a split into a finish time. A 1:50 split for 2,000 m finishes in 1:50 × 4 = 7:20. Type 2,000 m and either the time or the split.

### How are watts worked out from the split?

Concept2 uses watts = 2.80 ÷ pace³, where pace is the split in seconds divided by 500 (seconds per meter). A 2:05 split is 0.25 s/m, so 2.80 ÷ 0.25³ = 179.2 watts.

### Why does a small change in split mean a big change in watts?

Watts go with the cube of speed. Rowing 10% faster takes about 33% more power, because water and air drag grow fast with speed. Dropping from a 2:00 to a 1:50 split takes about 30% more watts.

### How are rowing calories calculated?

The monitor uses Calories per hour = 4 × watts ÷ 1.1639 + 300. The 300 is a resting rate for a 175 lb rower, so it is the same for everyone. At 179.2 watts that is 916 Cal per hour.

### Do these numbers work for other rowing machines?

The formulas are Concept2’s, for its indoor rowers. Other machines measure power their own way, so the same effort can show a different split there.

## Sources

- Concept2, Erg Pace Calculator: distance = (time ÷ split) × 500, split = 500 × (time ÷ distance), time = split × (distance ÷ 500), watts = 2.8 ÷ (split ÷ 500)³. https://www.concept2.com/training/pace-calculator (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- Concept2, Pace and Watts Calculators: watts = 2.80 ÷ pace³, pace = seconds per meter; a 2:05 split is 0.25 s/m and 179.2 watts. https://www.concept2.com/training/watts-calculator (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- Concept2, How To Use Your PM2/PM2+: Calories = (4 × average watts ÷ 1.1639) + 300 Cal/hour × time rowed in hours, for a 175 lb person. https://www.concept2.com/support/monitors/pm2/how-to-use (retrieved 2026-10-18)