The men’s free skate (also called the free program or long program) is 4 minutes long, with an allowed variation of plus or minus 10 seconds for senior competition events.

Quick Scoop: Men’s Free Skate Length

  • Standard duration: 4:00 minutes for senior men’s free skate.
  • Timing window: Skaters must finish between 3:50 and 4:10 (4:00 ± 10 seconds), or they risk time deductions.
  • Applies to: Men’s singles at major events like Worlds and the Olympic Games under current ISU rules.

Historically, the men’s free skate used to be 4:30 minutes , but ISU rule changes shortened it to 4:00 to standardize free programs across singles and pairs.

Mini FAQ

Has it always been 4 minutes?
No. Fans and skaters remember 4:30 because earlier rules allowed a 4:30 men’s free program before it was reduced to 4:00 a few seasons after the 2018 Olympic cycle.

Is it the same for women and pairs?
Yes. Current rules set 4:00 ± 10 seconds for men’s, women’s, and pairs free skating at the senior level.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.