GUIDES · BETSLIP DOCTOR
Why do hand-timed and photo-finish track results round differently?
The cited World Athletics rules record hand-timed track races to tenths of a second and fully automatic photo-finish track races up to and including 10,000m to hundredths. If a measurement falls between those increments, it is converted to the next longer time rather than rounded to the nearest value: 10.11 seconds by hand becomes 10.2, while a separate 12.341-second photo-finish time becomes 12.35. Longer track races and road races use different precision rules.
For Track viewers comparing older hand-timed results with modern photo-finish times. · Updated
The timing method sets the recorded precision
For hand-timed track races, the cited rule records a time that is not an exact tenth to the next longer 0.1 second. For fully automatic photo-finish races on the track up to and including 10,000m, a time that is not an exact hundredth is recorded to the next longer 0.01 second.
These are separate recording methods. A printed number alone does not establish which timing system produced a particular real result.
“Next longer” means the next permitted step up
For example, a fictional hand-timed 100m reading of 10.11 seconds is recorded as 10.2 seconds. In a different fictional 100m, a fully automatic photo-finish reading of 12.345 seconds is recorded as 12.35 seconds. The same hundredth rule turns 12.341 into 12.35; it is not ordinary nearest-hundredth rounding.
The examples are separate hypothetical measurements from different races and methods, not records for a real event.
Do not apply the hundredth rule to every race
For photo-finish track races longer than 10,000m, the cited rule uses tenths. For races held partly or entirely outside the stadium, it generally uses whole seconds, with a separate Road Mile note. The event and timing method therefore matter.
The 2026 rulebook history table does not state separate adoption or effective dates for the timing-conversion clauses. Confirm the rule edition and competition regulations for the result you are reading.
Three fictional measurements
In one fictional hand-timed track race, 10.11 seconds is recorded as 10.2. In a separate fully automatic photo-finish 100m, 12.345 seconds is recorded as 12.35. A third hypothetical photo-finish measurement of 12.341 seconds also becomes 12.35 because the rule uses the next longer hundredth, not ordinary nearest rounding. These measurements do not describe one actual event.
Related questions
Would 12.341 seconds round to 12.34 under ordinary nearest-hundredth rounding?
Not under the cited photo-finish rule for track races through 10,000m. A non-exact hundredth is converted to the next longer 0.01 second, so 12.341 becomes 12.35.
Can I identify hand timing from the number of decimals shown?
No. The recorded value alone does not verify which timing system was used. Check the event’s official timing information.