Preliminary result determine which individuals move onto to Finals. The top 16 times move onto Finals with the 17th top time being the alternate.
Top 1 - 8 times compete in the Finals heat and can place 1st - 8th place.
Top 9 - 16 times compete in the Consolation heat can place 9th - 16th.
In the event a swimmer "scratches" on finals, the alternate is pulled in to the Consolation heat and the 9th fastest time is pulled into the Finals heat.
In the event that swimmers get the exact same time, they will have "swim-off" at the end of the meet to swim the event again.
No Relays take place in Prelminary Events.