Rowing Pace and Watts Calculator (Concept2 Ergometer)
Convert a rowing split per 500 m into watts, speed and a 2000 m time, or turn a power in watts back into the split it corresponds to.
Results
What this tool does
Concept2 ergometers show your pace as a time per 500 m, but the power you produce goes with the cube of the speed: watts = 2.80 ÷ pace³, with the pace in seconds per metre. So a 2:00 split is about 203 W, but 1:50 needs about 263 W — roughly 9 % faster for 30 % more power. That is why the last few seconds per 500 m are so hard, and why watts are the fairer figure for comparing sessions, rowers and days with different conditions. The relation is the one Concept2 publishes for its monitors; the damper setting changes how the stroke feels, not this relation.
Formula
watts = 2.80 ÷ (pace in s per metre)³ · split per 500 m = 500 × (2.80 ÷ watts)^(1/3)
Variables
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit |
|---|---|---|
mn | Time per 500 m (split) — minutes | min |
sc | Time per 500 m (split) — seconds | s |
w | Power in watts (to find the split) | W |
W | Power at that split | W |
V | Boat speed at that split | m/s |
T2 | Time for 2000 m at that split | min |
SW | Split per 500 m for that power (seconds) | s |
SM | Split for that power — whole minutes | min |
SR | Split for that power — remaining seconds | s |
Worked example
- Time per 500 m (split) — minutes2 min
- Time per 500 m (split) — seconds0 s
- Power at that split203 W
- Boat speed at that split4.17 m/s
- Time for 2000 m at that split8.00 min
Limitations
- This tool is informational only. It does not diagnose, treat or replace a qualified health professional. Speak to a doctor before making decisions about your health.
- The default values are typical reference figures, not measurements of your situation. Replace them with your own data whenever you have it.