The first world record in the men's 400 metres freestyle in long course (50 metres) swimming was recognised by the

International Swimming Federation FINA (french: Fédération internationale de natation, en, International Swimming Federation, link=yes) (to be renamed as World Aquatics by ) is the international federation recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for administer ...

(FINA) in 1908. In the short course (25 metres) swimming events the world's governing body recognizes world records since 3 March 1991.

Men

Long course

*Murray Rose's 4:25.9 set in a 25-metre pool on 12 Jan 1957 was only valid until 1 May the same year. Due to the new rule that records must be set in a 50-metre pool, and the fact that neither John Marshall's 4:26.9 from 1951, nor Ford Konno's 4:26.7 from 1954 were set in 50-metre pools, the WR reverted to Rose's 4:27.0 from 1956.

Short course

Women

Long course

Short course

All-time top 25

Men long course

*Correct as of June 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 3:43.75: *

Ian Thorpe Ian James Thorpe, (born 13 October 1982) is an Australian retired swimmer who specialised in freestyle, but also competed in backstroke and the individual medley. He has won five Olympic gold medals, the most won by any Australian along wit ...

also swam 3:40.17 (2001), 3:40.54 (2002), 3:40.59 (2000), 3:40.76 (2001), 3:41.33 (2000), 3:41.71 (2001), 3:41.83 (1999), 3:42.41 (2003), 3:42.58 (2003), 3:43.10 (2004). * Sun Yang also swam 3:40.29 (2011), 3:41.38 (2017), 3:41.48 (2011), 3:41.59 (2013), 3:41.68 (2016), 3:41.94 (2017), 3:42.16 (2017), 3:42.31 (2012), 3:42.44 (2019), 3:42.47 (2010), 3:42.49 (2012), 3:42.58 (2015), 3:42.75 (2019), 3:42.89 (2012), 3:42.92 (2018), 3:42.93 (2013), 3:43.23 (2014), 3:43.24 (2011), 3:43.55 (2016), 3:43.73 (2019). *

Mack Horton Mackenzie James Horton (born 25 April 1996) is an Australian freestyle swimmer. He is an Olympic gold medallist, World Championships medallist, and Commonwealth Games medallist. At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he finished ...

also swam 3:41.65 (2016), 3:42.84 (2015), 3:43.17 (2019). *

Park Tae-hwan Park Tae-hwan (, ; born September 27, 1989) is a South Korean competitive Swimming (sport), swimmer who is an Olympic gold medalist and world champion. He has four Olympic medals, five world titles, and 20 Asian Games medals. He won a gold me ...

also swam 3:41.86 (2008), 3:42.04 (2011), 3:42.06 (2012), 3:43.15 (2014), 3:43.35 (2008). * Zhang Lin also swam 3:42.44 (2008), 3:43.32 (2008), 3:43.58 (2009). *

Lukas Märtens Lukas Märtens (born 27 December 2001) is a German swimmer. He competed in the 2020 Summer Olympics The , officially the and also known as , was an international multi-sport event held from 23 July to 8 August 2021 in Tokyo, Japa ...

also swam 3:42.50 (2022), 3:42.85 (2022). *

Elijah Winnington Elijah Winnington (born 5 May 2000) is an Australian competitive swimmer who specialises in the sprint freestyle events. He has competed in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, FINA World Junior Swimming Championshi ...

also swam 3:42.65 (2021), 3:43.06 (2022), 3:43.10 (2022). *

Oussama Mellouli Oussama "Ous" Mellouli ( ar, أسامة الملولي; born 16 February 1984) is a Tunisian swimmer who competes in the freestyle and medley events. He is a three-time Olympic medalist, is an African record holder, and trains with the USC Tr ...

also swam 3:42.71 (2009), 3:43.45 (2008). *

Grant Hackett Grant George Hackett OAM (born 9 May 1980) is an Australian swimmer, most famous for winning the men's 1500 metres freestyle race at both the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. This achievement has led him t ...

also swam 3:42.91 (2005), 3:42.94 (2003), 3:43.15 (2008), 3:43.36 (2004), 3:43.48 (2002). *

Paul Biedermann Paul Biedermann (; born 7 August 1986) is a German retired competitive swimmer, a 200 and 400 metre freestyle long course world champion. He holds the long course and short course world records in the 200 meters freestyle, and the long course wo ...

also swam 3:43.01 (2009). *

Larsen Jensen Larsen Alan Jensen (born September 1, 1985) is an American former competition swimmer and a two-time Olympic medalist. Career At the 2003 World Championships, Jensen earned a silver medal in the 800-meter freestyle, his first medal at the int ...

also swam 3:43.10 (2008), 3:43.53 (2008). *

Peter Vanderkaay Peter William Vanderkaay (born February 12, 1984) is an American former competition swimmer who specialized in middle-distance freestyle events and is a four-time Olympic medalist. He was a member of the United States Olympic team in 2004, 2008, ...

also swam 3:43.20 (2009), 3:43.73 (2008). *

Gabriele Detti Gabriele Detti (born 29 August 1994) is an Italian competitive swimmer, who was for a time the world champion of the 800 m freestyle. He competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics. Career highlights At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Detti competed in th ...

also swam 3:43.36 (2017, 2019), 3:43.49 (2016), 3:43.73 (2020). * Danas Rapsys also swam 3:43.50 (2019). *

Jack McLoughlin Jack Alan McLoughlin (born 1 February 1995) is a retired Australian swimmer. He competed in the men's 1500 metre freestyle event at the 2016 Summer Olympics. At the 2018 Commonwealth Games McLoughlin won a gold medal in the same event and sil ...

also swam 3:43.52 (2021). *

David McKeon David McKeon (born 25 July 1992) is an Australian competition swimmer. At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, he competed in the men's 400-metre freestyle, finishing in 14th place in the heats, failing to reach the final. Personal life McK ...

also swam 3:43.72 (2014).

Men short course

*Correct as of December 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 3:36.87: *

Danas Rapšys Danas Rapšys (; born 21 May 1995) is a Lithuanian swimmer. He is a two-time Olympian, a multiple-time Lithuanian record holder in the men's backstroke, freestyle and butterfly, and a double swimming champion at the 2017 Summer Universiade in T ...

also swam 3:34.01 (2018), 3:35.49 (2020), 3:36.23 (2021), 3:36.26 (2022). *

also swam 3:34.55 (2009), 3:35.96 (2015). *

also swam 3:35.01 (1999), 3:36.17 (2002). *

Péter Bernek Péter Bernek (born 13 April 1992) is a Hungarian swimmer. He competed for Hungary at the 2012 Summer Olympics The 2012 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad and also known as London 2012) was an international mult ...

also swam 3:35.46 (2015). *

Aleksandr Krasnykh Aleksandr Vladimirovich Krasnykh ( rus, Александр Владимирович Красных, , ɐlʲɪˈksandr krɐˈsnɨx; born 19 June 1995) is a Russian swimmer. He competed in the men's 400 metre freestyle event at the 2016 Summer ...

also swam 3:35.51 (2017), 3:36.83 (2017), 3:36.84 (2018). *

also swam 3:35.64 (1999), 3:35.75 (2000). *

Kieran Smith Kieran Smith is an American swimmer specializing in freestyle and individual medley events. He currently co-holds short course world records in the 4×200 meter freestyle relay and the 4×100 meter medley relay. He is the Americas record hol ...

also swam 3:35.99 (2022). *

also swam 3:36.68 (2007).

Women long course

*Correct as of August 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 4:03.21: *

Ariarne Titmus Ariarne Elizabeth Titmus, (born 7 September 2000) is an Australian swimmer. She is the reigning Olympic champion in the women's 200-metre and 400-metre freestyle, having won both events at the 2020 Summer Olympics, the world record holder in th ...

also swam 3:56.69 (2021), 3:56.90 (2021), 3:58.06 (2022), 3:58.76 (2019), 3:59.35 (2019), 3:59.66 (2018, 2019), 4:00.03 (2022), 4:00.93 (2018), 4:01.34 (2021), 4:01.66 (2021), 4:01.73 (2018), 4:02.36 (2018), 4:02.42 (2019), 4:02.86 (2017). * Katie Ledecky also swam 3:57.36 (2021), 3:57.94 (2018), 3:58.15 (2022), 3:58.34 (2017), 3:58.37 (2014), 3:58.44 (2017), 3:58.50 (2018), 3:58.71 (2016), 3:58.86 (2014), 3:58.98 (2016), 3:59.06 (2017), 3:59.09 (2018), 3:59.13 (2015), 3:59.25 (2021), 3:59.28 (2019), 3:59.52 (2022), 3:59.54 (2016), 3:59.66 (2020), 3:59.71 (2022), 3:59.79 (2022), 3:59.82 (2013), 3:59.89 (2014), 3:59.95 (2019), 3:59.97 (2019), 4:00.31 (2016), 4:00.35 (2018), 4:00.37 (2021), 4:00.38 (2022), 4:00.45 (2021), 4:00.47 (2015), 4:00.51 (2018, 2021), 4:00.81 (2019), 4:00.95 (2022), 4:00.98 (2017), 4:01.01 (2017), 4:01.27 (2021), 4:01.30 (2022), 4:01.37 (2021), 4:01.45 (2016), 4:01.50 (2019), 4:01.59 (2022), 4:01.64 (2021), 4:01.68 (2019), 4:01.73 (2015), 4:01.81 (2015), 4:01.84 (2019), 4:01.95 (2015), 4:01.96 (2017), 4:01.98 (2016), 4:02.08 (2018), 4:02.15 (2016), 4:02.21 (2018), 4:02.38 (2021), 4:02.40 (2019), 4:02.41 (2017), 4:02.44 (2019), 4:02.51 (2022), 4:02.57 (2018), 4:02.59 (2017), 4:02.62 (2016), 4:02.67 (2015, 2015), 4:02.69 (2018), 4:02.71 (2019, 2022), 4:02.80 (2022), 4:02.87 (2019), 4:03.05 (2013, 2015), 4:03.07 (2021), 4:03.09 (2014, 2014), 4:03.21 (2022). *

Summer McIntosh Summer McIntosh (born August 18, 2006) is a Canadian competitive swimmer. A four-time World Aquatics champion and two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist, she is the current world record holder in the women's 400 metre individual medley. McI ...

also swam 3:59.39 (2022), 3:59.79 (2022), 4:01.59 (2022), 4:02.42 (2021), 4:02.72 (2021), 4:03.19 (2022). *

Federica Pellegrini Federica Pellegrini (; born 5 August 1988) is an Italian retired swimmer. A native of Mirano, in the province of Venice, she holds the women's 200 meters freestyle world record (long course, 50 m), and won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing ...

also swam 4:00.41 (2009), 4:01.53 (2008), 4:01.96 (2009), 4:01.97 (2011), 4:02.19 (2008), 4:03.12 (2010). * Joanne Jackson swam 4:00.66 (2009). * Leah Smith also swam 4:01.29 (2019), 4:01.54 (2017), 4:01.92 (2016), 4:02.00 (2017), 4:02.08 (2022), 4:02.21 (2018), 4:03.14 (2016), 4:03.15 (2022). * Camille Muffat also swam 4:01.45 (2012), 4:02.84 (2013), 4:02.97 (2012), 4:03.21 (2012). *

Li Bingjie Li Bingjie (, born 3 March 2002) is a Chinese swimmer. She is the world record holder in the short course 400 metre freestyle. She is also the Asian record holder in the long course 400 metre freestyle as well as the short course 1500 metre f ...

also swam 4:01.57 (2021), 4:01.75 (2017), 4:02.36 (2021), 4:02.52 (2017). *

Lani Pallister Lani Pallister (born 6 June 2002) is an Australian competitive swimmer. She is a world record holder in two sports, with a world record in swimming, the short course 4×200-metre freestyle relay, and world records in life saving for the youth ...

also swam 4:02.21 (2022). *

Rebecca Adlington Rebecca Adlington (born 17 February 1989) is a British former competitive swimmer who specialised in freestyle events in international competition. She won two gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the 400-metre freestyle and 800-metre ...

also swam 4:02.24 (2008), 4:02.35 (2012), 4:02.84 (2011), 4:03.01 (2012). *

Katie Hoff Kathryn Elise Hoff (born June 3, 1989) is a former American competitive swimmer, she is an Olympic medalist, and former world record-holder. Hoff was known for her success in the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley. She represented the Un ...

also swam 4:02.32 (2008). *

Allison Schmitt Allison Rodgers Schmitt (born June 7, 1990) is an American competition Swimming (sport), swimmer who specializes in Freestyle swimming, freestyle events. She is a four-time Olympic Games, Olympian and a ten-time Olympic medalist. In her Olympic ...

also swam 4:02.51 (2009), 4:02.80 (2009), 4:02.84 (2012). *

Laure Manaudou Laure Manaudou (; born 9 October 1986) is a retired French Olympic, world and European champion swimmer. She has held the world record in freestyle events between 200 and 1500 meter. She is the daughter of a French father and a Dutch mother, and s ...

also swam 4:02.61 (2007), 4:03.03 (2006). *

Jazmin Carlin Jazmin Roxy "Jazz" Carlin (born 17 September 1990) is a former British competitive swimmer, who previously represented Wales and the Great Britain swimming team. She competed primarily in endurance freestyle events, and was based at the Univer ...

also swam 4:02.83 (2016). *

Wang Jianjiahe Wang Jianjiahe (; born 17 July 2002) is a Chinese swimmer. She competed in the women's 1500 metre freestyle event at the 2018 Asian Games, winning the gold medal. She competed in the 2018 Fina Short Course World Championships in Hangzhou, Chin ...

also swam 4:03.18 (2018).

Women short course

*Correct as of December 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 3:58.15: * Katie Ledecky also swam 3:54.04 (2022), 3:54.06 (2019). *

also swam 3:54.56 (2018), 3:54.63 (2018). *

also swam 3:54.58 (2020), 3:56.21 (2019). * Camille Muffat also swam 3:54.93 (2012), 3:57.48 (2008). *

Lauren Boyle Lauren Marie Boyle (born 14 December 1987) is a former competitive swimmer from New Zealand. She has competed at three Commonwealth Games and three Olympic Games. Career Boyle won a bronze medal with Helen Norfolk, Alison Fitch and Melissa ...

also swam 3:55.31 (2013), 3:57.68 (2013). *

Mireia Belmonte ] Mireia Belmonte García (born 10 November 1990) is a Spanish Olympic, world, and European champion Swimming (sport), swimmer. She is the world record holder in the short course 200-metre butterfly and 400-metre individual medley. Formerl ...

also swam 3:55.36 (2014), 3:55.76 (2014), 3:56.14 (2013), 3:57.65 (2013), 3:57.79 (2017). *

also swam 3:55.83 (2022), 3:57.99 (2018). *

also swam 3:56.74 (2022). *

also swam 3:56.79 (2005), 3:57.43 (2007). * Siobhan Haughey also swam 3:57.06 (2021), 3:58.12 (2021). *

Coralie Balmy Coralie Balmy (born 8 June 1987) is a French freestyle swimmer. Balmy was born in La Trinité, Martinique. She won her first senior title at the 2008 European Aquatics Championships in Eindhoven in the 4 × 200 m relay freestyle. At the same ...

also swam 3:57.75 (2009). *

also swam 3:57.75 (2021), 3:57.87 (2021). *

also swam 3:57.80 (2017). * Holly Hibbott also swam 3:57.96 (2019).

References

External links

International Olympic Committee

Sports Records

New Zealand Short Course Open Records
{{World records in swimming Freestyle 0400 metres World record progression 0400 metres freestyle