Step one toward Naval Special Warfare
Navy PST Calculator
Every Navy special operations job — SEAL, SWCC, EOD, Navy Diver, AIRR — starts at the same gate: the Physical Screening Test. Five events, one session. And here's the truth: anyone can earn a contract. You don't have to be special or in shape today — you have to want it, put in the work, and grind until you get there. One step, one day, one rep at a time. Follow the path.
Enter your numbers — real or best guess — and see where you stand today.
1 · Choose your program
Scoring against Navy SEAL standards.
Never tested? Get a baseline this week: a 1.5-mile run, two minutes each of push-ups and sit-ups, max pull-ups, and a 500-yard swim. Rough numbers are enough — knowing your gap is the first rep.
New to this?
What the PST is — and why the Navy makes you pass it
The PST is the Navy's proof-you're-serious test. No SEAL, SWCC, EOD, Diver, or AIRR contract without passing it — and your scores decide how competitive you are, not just whether you qualify. Why so strict? The pipeline behind it is brutal: selection courses like BUD/S lose most of the people who start, and every one of them had already passed a PST.
The order never changes: 500-yard swim first (sidestroke or breaststroke — AIRR may also swim freestyle; technique is learnable), then two minutes of push-ups, two minutes of sit-ups, max pull-ups, and the 1.5-mile run last, on tired legs. Every event must clear your program's minimum in one session — a great run doesn't buy back a slow swim. Minimums qualify you; they don't select you.
Official minimums
PST standards by program
| Program | 500 yd swim | Push-ups | Sit-ups | Pull-ups | 1.5 mi run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navy SEAL | 12:30 | 50 | 50 | 10 | 10:30 |
| Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen | 13:00 | 50 | 50 | 6 | 12:00 |
| Explosive Ordnance Disposal | 12:30 | 50 | 50 | 6 | 12:30 |
| Navy Diver | 12:30 | 50 | 50 | 6 | 12:30 |
| Aviation Rescue Swimmer | 12:00 | 42 | 50 | 4 | 12:00 |
EOD additionally requires swim + run combined in 23:00 or less, neither leg over 12:30 — the calculator enforces it. Navy Diver values are the basic (M1DV) standard. Standards can change; confirm current requirements with your recruiter before an official test.
The honest timeline
How long does it take to pass?
Most consistent candidates reach standard in 8–16 weeks. That's not a guess: across hundreds of officially scored PSTs on WarriorPath, passing candidates took a median of about 15 weeks and averaged more than two attempts. Failing a PST is a waypoint, not the end. The swim moves fastest — technique work takes minutes, not seconds, off a 500-yard time.
FAQ
PST questions, answered straight
What is the Navy PST?
The Physical Screening Test is the entry gate for the Navy’s special operations programs: SEAL, SWCC, EOD, Navy Diver, and AIRR (Aviation Rescue Swimmer). It has five events, always in this order: 500-yard swim, push-ups (2 minutes), sit-ups (2 minutes), pull-ups (max), and a 1.5-mile run. You must meet every event minimum for your program in one test.
Why does the Navy require the PST?
It’s a screening tool, not a fitness test. Courses like BUD/S lose most of the people who start — all of whom had already passed a PST. The Navy wants proof up front that your body and discipline can handle day one, which is why every event must pass in a single session.
Do I need to be in the Navy to take a PST?
No — and the smartest move is to reach the standard before you sign anything. Official PSTs are run by Navy coordinators and, for WarriorPath candidates, by Field Assessors at local events. Walking into a recruiter’s office already passing changes the conversation.
What are the Navy SEAL PST minimums?
SEAL minimums are the toughest of the five programs: 500-yard swim in 12:30, 50 push-ups, 50 sit-ups, 10 pull-ups, and a 1.5-mile run in 10:30. Competitive candidates score well above these numbers — minimums qualify you, they don’t select you.
How long does it take to pass the PST?
Most candidates who train consistently reach standard in 8–16 weeks. Across hundreds of officially scored PSTs on WarriorPath, passers took a median of about 15 weeks and averaged more than two attempts. The swim improves fastest — technique work routinely cuts minutes off a 500-yard time.
Does EOD really have a combined swim and run rule?
Yes. In addition to per-event minimums, EOD requires your 500-yard swim time plus your 1.5-mile run time to total 23:00 or less, with neither leg over 12:30. This calculator enforces that rule — many PST charts online miss it.
Whether you're passing today or twenty weeks out, the next step is the same: a structured program, a real Field Assessor in your corner, and an official PST when you're ready. WarriorPath is free for candidates.
Warrior Path is an independent training platform for aspiring NSW candidates, moderated by SEAL mentors. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Navy or the Department of Defense.