In figure skating, the short program is 2 minutes and 40 seconds , with a small allowed margin of plus or minus 10 seconds in most senior and junior competitions.

That means:

  • Standard length: about 2:40 on the ice.
  • Rules typically allow: 2:30 to 2:50 (2:40 ± 10 seconds).
  • This timing applies to men’s and women’s singles and pairs at major events; synchronized skating short programs are usually set at 2:50.

So if you’re watching a competition, you can expect each skater’s short program to last roughly two and a half minutes, capped at just under three minutes including the allowed leeway.