World record progression 400 metres individual medley

Main article: List of world records in swimming

The first world record in the 400 metres individual medley in long course (50 metres) swimming was recognized by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) in 1957, followed by the women a year later. In the short course (25 metres) swimming events the world's governing body recognizes world records since March 3, 1991.

Men

Long course

#	Time		Name	Nationality	Date	Meet	Location	Ref
1	5:15.6		Gary Heinrich	United States	27 August 1957	-	Philadelphia, United States
2	5:12.9		Vladimir Strushanov	Soviet Union	20 October 1957	-	Moscow, Soviet Union
3	5:08.8		Ian Black	Great Britain	6 June 1959	-	Cardiff, United Kingdom
4	5:07.8		George Harrison	United States	24 June 1960	-	Los Angeles, United States
5	5:05.3		George Harrison	United States	24 June 1960	-	Los Angeles, United States
6	5:04.5		Dennis Rounsaville	United States	22 July 1960	-	Toledo, United States
7	5:04.3		Ted Stickles	United States	1 July 1961	-	Chicago, United States
8	4:55.6		Ted Stickles	United States	18 August 1961	-	Los Angeles, United States
9	4:53.8		Gerhard Hetz	West Germany	24 May 1962	-	Moscow, Soviet Union
10	4:51.4		Ted Stickles	United States	30 June 1962	-	Chicago, United States
11	4:51.0		Ted Stickles	United States	12 July 1962	-	Louisville, United States
12	4:50.2		Gerhard Hetz	West Germany	12 October 1963	-	Tokyo, Japan
13	4:48.6		Dick Roth	United States	31 July 1964	-	Los Altos, United States
14	4:45.4		Dick Roth	United States	14 October 1964	Olympic Games	Tokyo, Japan
15	4:45.3		Andrey Dunayev	Soviet Union	3 April 1968	-	Tallinn, Soviet Union
16	4:45.1		Greg Buckingham	United States	6 July 1968	Santa Clara Invitational	Santa Clara, United States
17	4:43.4		Gary Hall Sr.	United States	20 July 1968	-	Los Angeles, United States
18	4:43.3	h	Charlie Hickcox	United States	30 August 1968	US Olympic Trials	Long Beach, United States
19	4:39.0		Charlie Hickcox	United States	30 August 1968	US Olympic Trials	Long Beach, United States
20	4:38.7		Gary Hall Sr.	United States	11 July 1969	Santa Clara Invitational	Santa Clara, United States
21	4:33.9		Gary Hall Sr.	United States	15 August 1969	AAU Nationals	Louisville, United States
22	4:31.0		Gary Hall Sr.	United States	21 August 1970	AAU Nationals	Los Angeles, United States
23	4:30.81		Gary Hall Sr.	United States	3 August 1972	US Olympic Trials	Chicago, United States
24	4:28.89		András Hargitay	Hungary	20 August 1974	European Championships	Vienna, Austria
25	4:26.00		Zoltán Verrasztó	Hungary	2 April 1976	AAU Indoor Championships	Long Beach, United States
26	4:23.68		Rod Strachan	United States	25 July 1976	Olympic Games	Montreal, Canada
27	4:23.39		Jesse Vassallo	United States	4 August 1978	AAU Championships	The Woodlands, United States
28	4:20.05		Jesse Vassallo	United States	28 August 1978	World Championships	West Berlin, West Germany
29	4:19.78		Ricardo Prado	Brazil	8 August 1982	World Championships	Guayaquil, Ecuador
30	4:19.61		Jens-Peter Berndt	East Germany	23 May 1984	East German Championships	Magdeburg, East Germany
31	4:17.53		Alex Baumann	Canada	17 June 1984	Canadian Olympic Trials	Etobicoke, Canada
32	4:17.41		Alex Baumann	Canada	30 July 1984	Olympic Games	Los Angeles, United States
33	4:16.12		David Wharton	United States	14 August 1987	Pan Pacific Championships	Brisbane, Australia
34	4:15.42		Tamás Darnyi	Hungary	19 August 1987	European Championships	Strasbourg, France
35	4:14.75		Tamás Darnyi	Hungary	21 September 1988	Olympic Games	Seoul, South Korea
36	4:12.36		Tamás Darnyi	Hungary	8 January 1991	World Championships	Perth, Australia
37	4:12.30		Tom Dolan	United States	11 September 1994	World Championships	Rome, Italy
38	4:11.76		Tom Dolan	United States	17 September 2000	Olympic Games	Sydney, Australia
39	4:11.09		Michael Phelps	United States	15 August 2002	US National Championships	Fort Lauderdale, United States
40	4:10.73		Michael Phelps	United States	7 April 2003	Duel in the Pool	Indianapolis, United States
41	4:09.09		Michael Phelps	United States	27 July 2003	World Championships	Barcelona, Spain
42	4:08.41		Michael Phelps	United States	7 July 2004	US Olympic Trials	Long Beach, United States
43	4:08.26		Michael Phelps	United States	14 August 2004	Olympic Games	Athens, Greece
44	4:06.22		Michael Phelps	United States	1 April 2007	World Championships	Melbourne, Australia
45	4:05.25		Michael Phelps	United States	29 June 2008	US Olympic Trials	Omaha, United States
46	4:03.84		Michael Phelps	United States	10 August 2008	Olympic Games	Beijing, China	[1]
47	4:02.50		Léon Marchand	France	23 July 2023	World Championships	Fukuoka, Japan	[2] [3]

Short course

#	Time		Name	Nationality	Date	Meet	Location	Ref
1	4:08.77		Luca Sacchi	Italy	29 February 1992	World Cup	Palma de Mallorca, Spain
2	4:07.10		Jani Sievinen	Finland	9 February 1993	World Cup	Malmö, Sweden
3	4:06.03		Jani Sievinen	Finland	20 January 1996	-	Lappeenranta, Finland
4	4:05.59		Marcel Wouda	Netherlands	1 February 1997	World Cup	Gelsenkirchen, Germany
5	4:05.41		Marcel Wouda	Netherlands	8 February 1997	World Cup	Paris, France
6	4:04.24		Matthew Dunn	Australia	24 September 1998	Australian Championships	Perth, Australia
7	4:02.72		Brian Johns	Canada	23 February 2003	Canadian University Championships	Victoria, Canada
8	4:00.37		László Cseh	Hungary	9 December 2005	European Championships	Trieste, Italy
9	3:59.33		László Cseh	Hungary	14 December 2007	European Championships	Debrecen, Hungary
10	3:57.27		László Cseh	Hungary	11 December 2009	European Championships	Istanbul, Turkey
11	3:55.50		Ryan Lochte	United States	16 December 2010	World Championships	Dubai, United Arab Emirates
12	3:54.81		Daiya Seto	Japan	20 December 2019	International Swimming League	Las Vegas, United States

Women

Long course

#	Time		Name	Nationality	Date	Meet	Location	Ref
1	5:46.6		Sylvia Ruuska	United States	27 June 1958	-	Los Angeles, United States
2	5:43.7		Sylvia Ruuska	United States	1 August 1958	-	Topeka, United States
3	5:41.1		Sylvia Ruuska	United States	24 February 1959	-	Melbourne, Australia
4	5:40.2		Sylvia Ruuska	United States	17 July 1959	-	Redding, United States
5	5:36.5		Donna de Varona	United States	15 July 1960	-	Indianapolis, United States
6	5:34.5		Donna de Varona	United States	11 August 1961	-	Philadelphia, United States
7	5:29.7		Donna de Varona	United States	2 June 1962	-	Los Altos, United States
8	5:27.4		Sharon Finneran	United States	26 July 1962	-	Osaka, Japan
9	5:24.7		Donna de Varona	United States	26 July 1962	-	Osaka, Japan
10	5:21.9		Sharon Finneran	United States	28 July 1962	-	Osaka, Japan
11	5:16.5		Donna de Varona	United States	10 March 1964	-	Lima, Peru
12	5:14.9		Donna de Varona	United States	30 August 1964	-	New York City, United States
13	5:11.7		Claudia Kolb	United States	9 July 1967	Santa Clara International	Santa Clara, United States
14	5:09.7		Claudia Kolb	United States	1 August 1967	Pan American Games	Winnipeg, Canada
15	5:08.2		Claudia Kolb	United States	19 August 1967	AAU Nationals	Philadelphia, United States
16	5:04.7		Claudia Kolb	United States	24 August 1968	US Olympic Trials	Los Angeles, United States
17	5:02.97		Gail Neall	Australia	31 August 1972	Olympic Games	Munich, West Germany
18	5:01.10		Angela Franke	East Germany	18 August 1973	-	Utrecht, Netherlands
19	4:57.51		Gudrun Wegner	East Germany	6 September 1973	World Championships	Belgrade, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
20	4:52.42		Ulrike Tauber	East Germany	21 August 1974	European Championships	Vienna, Austria
21	4:52.20		Ulrike Tauber	East Germany	7 June 1975	GDR National Championships	Wittenberg, East Germany
22	4:48.79		Birgit Treiber	East Germany	1 June 1976	GDR Olympic Trials & National Championships	East Berlin, East Germany
23	4:42.77		Ulrike Tauber	East Germany	24 July 1976	Olympic Games	Montreal, Canada
24	4:40.83		Tracy Caulkins	United States	23 August 1978	World Championships	West Berlin, West Germany
25	4:39.96		Petra Schneider	East Germany	30 March 1980	-	Leningrad, Soviet Union
26	4:38.44		Petra Schneider	East Germany	27 May 1980	-	Magdeburg, East Germany
27	4:36.29		Petra Schneider	East Germany	26 July 1980	Olympic Games	Moscow, Soviet Union
28	4:36.10		Petra Schneider	East Germany	26 July 1982	World Championships	Guayaquil, Ecuador
29	4:34.79		Chen Yan	China	13 October 1997	Chinese National Games	Shanghai, China
30	4:33.59		Yana Klochkova	Ukraine	16 September 2000	Olympic Games	Sydney, Australia
31	4:32.89		Katie Hoff	United States	1 April 2007	World Championships	Melbourne, Australia
32	4:31.46		Stephanie Rice	Australia	22 March 2008	Australian Championships	Sydney, Australia
33	4:31.12		Katie Hoff	United States	29 June 2008	US Olympic Trials	Omaha, United States
34	4:29.45		Stephanie Rice	Australia	10 August 2008	Olympic Games	Beijing, China
35	4:28.43		Ye Shiwen	China	28 July 2012	Olympic Games	London, United Kingdom
36	4:26.36		Katinka Hosszú	Hungary	6 August 2016	Olympic Games	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
37	4:25.87		Summer McIntosh	Canada	1 April 2023	Canadian Trials	Toronto, Canada
38	4:24.38		Summer McIntosh	Canada	16 May 2024	Canadian Trials	Toronto, Canada	[4][5]

Short course

#	Time		Name	Nationality	Date	Meet	Location	Ref
1	4:29.00		Dai Guohong	China	2 December 1993	World Championships	Palma de Mallorca, Spain
2	4:27.83		Yana Klochkova	Ukraine	20 January 2002	World Cup	Paris, France
3	4:26.52		Kirsty Coventry	Zimbabwe	9 April 2008	World Championships	Manchester, United Kingdom
4	4:25.87		Julia Smit	USA	28 November 2008	Canada Cup	Toronto, Canada
5	4:25.06		Mireia Belmonte	Spain	14 December 2008	European Championships	Rijeka, Croatia
6	4:22.80		Kathryn Meaklim	South Africa	22 November 2009	World Cup	Singapore
7	4:21.04		Julia Smit	USA	18 December 2009	Duel in the Pool	Manchester, United Kingdom
8	4:20.85		Katinka Hosszú	Hungary	11 August 2013	World Cup	Berlin, Germany	[6]
9	4:20.83		Katinka Hosszú	Hungary	28 August 2014	World Cup	Doha, Qatar	[7]
10	4:19.86		Mireia Belmonte	Spain	3 December 2014	World Championships	Doha, Qatar	[8]
11	4:19.46		Katinka Hosszú	Hungary	2 December 2015	European Championships	Netanya, Israel	[9]
12	4:18.94		Mireia Belmonte	Spain	12 August 2017	World Cup	Eindhoven, Netherlands	[10]
13	4:15.48		Summer McIntosh	Canada	14 December 2024	World Championships	Budapest, Hungary	[11][12]

Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by FINA;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; † – en route to final mark; tt – time trial

All-time top 25

Men long course

• Correct as of December 2024^[13]

Pos	Time	Swimmer	Date	Venue	Ref
1	4:02.50	Léon Marchand (FRA)	23 July 2023	Fukuoka	[14][15]
2	4:03.84	Michael Phelps (USA)	10 August 2008	Beijing	[16]
3	4:05.18	Ryan Lochte (USA)	28 July 2012	London	[17]
4	4:05.90	Chase Kalisz (USA)	30 July 2017	Budapest	[18]
5	4:06.05	Kosuke Hagino (JPN)	6 August 2016	Rio de Janeiro	[19]
6	4:06.09	Daiya Seto (JPN)	25 January 2020	Tokyo
7	4:06.16	László Cseh (HUN)	10 August 2008	Beijing	[20]
8	4:06.56	Carson Foster (USA)	18 June 2022	Budapest	[21]
			23 July 2023	Fukuoka	[22]
9	4:06.96	Tyler Clary (USA)	7 July 2009	Indianapolis	[21]
10	4:07.47	Dávid Verrasztó (HUN)	24 June 2017	Rome	[23]
11	4:08.05	Ilya Borodin (RUS)	25 July 2022	Kazan	[24]
12	4:08.62	Tomoyuki Matsushita (JPN)	28 July 2024	Paris	[25]
13	4:08.70	Lewis Clareburt (NZL)	30 July 2022	Birmingham	[26]
14	4:08.85	Max Litchfield (GBR)	28 July 2024	Paris	[27]
15	4:08.86	Thiago Pereira (BRA)	2 August 2009	Rome	[21]
			28 July 2012	London	[17]
16	4:09.10	Wang Shun (CHN)	4 September 2013	Shenyang	[28]
17	4:09.18	Duncan Scott (GBR)	7 April 2022	Sheffield	[29]
18	4:09.22	Jay Litherland (USA)	28 July 2019	Gwangju
19	4:09.27	Brendon Smith (AUS)	24 July 2021	Tokyo
20	4:09.29	Alberto Razzetti (ITA)	30 November 2023	Riccione	[30]
21	4:09.55	Bobby Finke (USA)	29 June 2023	Indianapolis	[31]
22	4:09.88	Luca Marin (ITA)	1 April 2007	Melbourne	[32]
23	4:09.98	Tomoru Honda (JPN)	30 November 2023	Tokyo	[33]
24	4:10.14	Thomas Fraser-Holmes (AUS)	3 May 2013	Adelaide	[34]
25	4:10.18	Yang Zhixian (CHN)	24 September 2014	Incheon	[35]

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 4:10.18:

• Léon Marchand also swam 4:02.95 (2024), 4:04.28 (2022), 4:07.80 (2023), 4:08.30 (2024), 4:09.09 (2022), 4:09.65 (2021), 4:10.09 (2021).
• Michael Phelps also swam 4:05.25 (2008), 4:06.22 (2007), 4:07.82 (2008), 4:07.89 (2012), 4:08.26 (2004), 4:08.41 (2004), 4:09.09 (2003), 4:09.28 (2012), 4:10.16 (2006).
• Ryan Lochte also swam 4:06.08 (2008), 4:06.40 (2009), 4:07.01 (2009), 4:07.06 (2012), 4:07.13 (2011), 4:07.59 (2010), 4:08.09 (2008), 4:08.77 (2010), 4:09.74 (2007), 4:09.98 (2010).
• Chase Kalisz also swam 4:06.75 (2016), 4:06.99 (2017), 4:07.47 (2022), 4:07.95 (2018), 4:08.12 (2016), 4:08.22 (2023), 4:08.25 (2018), 4:08.92 (2018), 4:09.09 (2021), 4:09.22 (2013), 4:09.39 (2024), 4:09.42 (2021), 4:09.43 (2017), 4:09.54 (2016), 4:09.62 (2014), 4:09.65 (2021), 4:09.67 (2017), 4:09.79 (2017), 4:10.05 (2015), 4:10.09 (2022).
• Tyler Clary also swam 4:07.31 (2009), 4:09.03 (2014), 4:09.20 (2010), 4:09.51 (2014), 4:09.55 (2010), 4:09.92 (2012), 4:10.04 (2009).
• László Cseh also swam 4:07.37 (2009), 4:07.96 (2008), 4:09.26 (2008), 4:09.59 (2008), 4:09.63 (2005), 4:09.86 (2006), 4:10.10 (2005).
• Kosuke Hagino also swam 4:07.61 (2013), 4:07.75 (2014), 4:07.88 (2014), 4:08.31 (2014), 4:08.54 (2015), 4:08.85 (2016), 4:08.90 (2016), 4:08.94 (2012), 4:09.06 (2016), 4:09.52 (2016), 4:09.62 (2014), 4:09.80 (2016), 4:09.82 (2014), 4:10.00 (2016), 4:10.01 (2012).
• Carson Foster also swam 4:07.64 (2024), 4:08.14 (2023), 4:08.46 (2021), 4:08.66 (2024), 4:09.33 (2022), 4:09.60 (2022), 4:09.69 (2023), 4:09.83 (2023).
• Daiya Seto also swam 4:07.92 (2023), 4:07.95 (2019), 4:07.99 (2017), 4:08.47 (2016), 4:08.50 (2015), 4:08.69 (2013), 4:08.79 (2018), 4:08.95 (2019), 4:08.98 (2018), 4:09.02 (2021), 4:09.07 (2022), 4:09.14 (2017), 4:09.25 (2019), 4:09.41 (2023), 4:09.62 (2019), 4:09.68 (2024), 4:09.71 (2016), 4:09.88 (2021), 4:09.98 (2019), 4:10.04 (2015, 2019), 4:10.10 (2012), 4:10.14 (2022), 4:10.17 (2016), 4:10.18 (2017).
• Dávid Verrasztó also swam 4:08.38 (2017), 4:09.57 (2021), 4:09.80 (2021), 4:09.90 (2015), 4:10.01 (2017).
• Lewis Clareburt also swam 4:08.71 (2024), 4:09.49 (2021), 4:09.72 (2024), 4:09.87 (2021).
• Ilya Borodin also swam 4:09.12 (2023), 4:09.80 (2023), 4:09.86 (2022), 4:10.02 (2021).
• Max Litchfield also swam 4:09.14 (2024), 4:09.51 (2024), 4:09.62 (2017).
• Jay Litherland also swam 4:09.31 (2017), 4:09.91 (2021).
• Alberto Razzetti also swam 4:09.38 (2024), 4:09.91 (2021).
• Thiago Pereira also swam 4:09.48 (2013).
• Brendon Smith also swam 4:10.04 (2021), 4:10.15 (2022), 4:10.18 (2024).
• Tomoyuki Matsushita also swam 4:10.04 (2024).
• Wang Shun also swam 4:10.13 (2019).

Men short course

• Correct as of December 2024^[36]

Pos	Time	Swimmer	Date	Venue	Ref
1	3:54.81	Daiya Seto (JPN)	20 December 2019	Las Vegas	[37]
2	3:55.50	Ryan Lochte (USA)	16 December 2010	Dubai
3	3:56.47	Ilya Borodin (RUS)	20 December 2021	Abu Dhabi	[38]
4	3:56.48	Kosuke Hagino (JPN)	13 January 2014	Tokyo	[39]
5	3:57.01	Alberto Razzetti (ITA)	10 December 2023	Otopeni	[40]
6	3:57.27	László Cseh (HUN)	11 December 2009	Istanbul
7	3:57.40	Oussama Mellouli (TUN)	16 December 2010	Dubai
8	3:57.45	Carson Foster (USA)	14 December 2024	Budapest	[41]
9	3:57.56	Tyler Clary (USA)	16 December 2010	Dubai
10	3:57.91	Thomas Fraser-Holmes (AUS)	28 November 2015	Sydney
11	3:58.30	Leon Marchand (FRA)	26 October 2024	Incheon	[42]
12	3:59.21	Matthew Sates (RSA)	17 December 2022	Melbourne	[43]
13	3:59.23	Chad Le Clos (RSA)	9 November 2013	Tokyo
14	3:59.33	Brendon Smith (AUS)	30 September 2021	Naples	[44]
15	3:59.47	Peter Bernek (HUN)	14 December 2017	Copenhagen
16	3:59.81	Duncan Scott (GBR)	20 December 2019	Las Vegas
17	3:59.90	Conor Dwyer (USA)	10 August 2013	Berlin
18	3:59.99	Wang Shun (CHN)	17 November 2018	Singapore
19	4:00.10	David Verraszto (HUN)	11 December 2009	Istanbul
20	4:00.18	Max Litchfield (GBR)	16 December 2018	Sheffield
21	4:00.43	Kaito Tabuchi (JPN)	14 December 2024	Budapest	[45]
22	4:00.44	Tomoyuki Matsushita (JPN)	19 October 2024	Tokyo
23	4:00.55	Gal Nevo (ISR)	11 December 2009	Istanbul
24	4:00.57	Tristan Jankovics (CAN)	14 December 2024	Budapest	[46]
25	4:00.63	Thiago Pereira (BRA)	17 November 2007	Berlin

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 4:00.63:

• Daiya Seto also swam 3:55.53 (2019), 3:55.75 (2022), 3:56.26 (2021), 3:56.33 (2014), 3:56.43 (2018), 3:57.25 (2018), 3:57.66 (2017), 3:57.85 (2021), 3:58.20 (2017), 3:58.65 (2021), 3:58.84 (2013), 3:59.01 (2021), 3:59.15 (2012), 3:59.20 (2014), 3:59.24 (2016), 3:59.43 (2024), 3:59.79 (2024), 3:59.91 (2014), 4:00.02 (2012), 4:00.06 (2021), 4:00.12 (2012), 4:00.35 (2022), 4:00.37 (2013), 4:00.49 (2021), 4:00.50 (2018).
• Ilya Borodin also swam 3:56.83 (2024), 3:57.67 (2024), 3:58.08 (2022), 3:58.83 (2021), 3:59.57 (2021), 4:00.31 (2021).
• Carson Foster also swam 3:57.63 (2022), 3:57.99 (2021).
• Leon Marchand also swam 3:58.45 (2024), 4:00.03 (2024).
• Thomas Fraser-Holmes also swam 3:58.69 (2014), 3:59.92 (2013), 4:00.39 (2014).
• Alberto Razzetti also swam 3:58.83 (2024), 3:59.57 (2021), 4:00.34 (2021), 4:00.45 (2022), 4:00.59 (2024).
• László Cseh also swam 3:59.33 (2007), 4:00.37 (2005), 4:00.50 (2012).
• Ryan Lochte also swam 3:59.52 (2011).
• Duncan Scott also swam 3:59.83 (2020), 4:00.17 (2023).
• Tyler Clary also swam 4:00.35 (2011).
• Max Litchfield also swam 4:00.37 (2024), 4:00.50 (2024).
• Conor Dwyer also swam 4:00.57 (2013).
• Kaito Tabuchi also swam 4:00.61 (2024).

Women long course

• Correct as of December 2024^[47]

Pos	Time	Swimmer	Date	Venue	Ref
1	4:24.38	Summer McIntosh (CAN)	16 May 2024	Toronto	[48][49]
2	4:26.36	Katinka Hosszú (HUN)	6 August 2016	Rio de Janeiro
3	4:28.22	Kaylee McKeown (AUS)	18 April 2024	Gold Coast	[50]
4	4:28.43	Ye Shiwen (CHN)	28 July 2012	London
5	4:29.45	Stephanie Rice (AUS)	10 August 2008	Beijing
6	4:29.89	Kirsty Coventry (ZIM)	10 August 2008	Beijing
7	4:30.43	Li Xuanxu (CHN)	17 October 2009	Jinan
8	4:30.82	Yui Ohashi (JPN)	8 April 2018	Tokyo
9	4:30.85	Qi Hui (CHN)	17 October 2009	Jinan
10	4:31.12	Katie Hoff (USA)	29 June 2008	Omaha
11	4:31.15	Maya DiRado (USA)	6 August 2016	Rio de Janeiro
12	4:31.21	Mireia Belmonte (ESP)	4 August 2013	Barcelona
13	4:31.27	Elizabeth Beisel (USA)	28 July 2012	London
14	4:31.33	Hannah Miley (GBR)	20 March 2009	Sheffield
15	4:31.41	Katie Grimes (USA)	30 July 2023	Fukuoka	[51]
16	4:32.30	Jenna Forrester (AUS)	30 July 2023	Fukuoka	[52]
17	4:32.52	Emily Overholt (CAN)	9 August 2015	Kazan
18	4:32.53	Melanie Margalis (USA)	6 March 2020	Des Moines
19	4:32.76	Emma Weyant (USA)	25 July 2021	Tokyo
20	4:32.88	Sydney Pickrem (CAN)	30 July 2017	Budapest
21	4:33.01	Aimee Willmott (GBR)	24 July 2014	Glasgow
22	4:33.50	Zhou Min (CHN)	4 September 2013	Shenyang
23	4:33.59	Yana Klochkova (UKR)	16 September 2000	Sydney
24	4:33.86	Leah Smith (USA)	29 June 2017	Indianapolis
25	4:33.96	Hali Flickinger (USA)	13 June 2021	Omaha

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 4:33.96:

• Summer McIntosh also swam 4:25.87 (2023), 4:27.11 (2023), 4:27.71 (2024), 4:28.61 (2022), 4:29.01 (2022), 4:29.12 (2022), 4:29.96 (2023), 4:32.04 (2022).
• Katinka Hosszú also swam 4:28.58 (2016), 4:29.33 (2017), 4:29.89 (2016), 4:30.31 (2009), 4:30.39 (2015, 2019), 4:30.41 (2013), 4:30.75 (2016), 4:30.90 (2016), 4:30.97 (2016), 4:31.03 (2014), 4:31.07 (2015), 4:31.53 (2014), 4:31.93 (2015), 4:32.25 (2016), 4:32.30 (2019), 4:32.33 (2016), 4:32.52 (2019), 4:32.68 (2016), 4:32.72 (2013), 4:32.78 (2015), 4:32.83 (2012), 4:32.87 (2019), 4:33.06 (2019), 4:33.49 (2012), 4:33.71 (2017), 4:33.76 (2012), 4:33.77 (2012, 2019), 4:33.80 (2014), 4:33.81 (2017), 4:33.83 (2019), 4:33.88 (2009, 2015), 4:33.90 (2017).
• Ye Shiwen also swam 4:30.84 (2014), 4:31.59 (2013), 4:31.73 (2012), 4:32.07 (2019), 4:32.97 (2014), 4:33.66 (2011), 4:33.79 (2010).
• Yui Ohashi also swam 4:31.42 (2017), 4:32.08 (2021), 4:32.33 (2019), 4:32.57 (2019), 4:32.60 (2018), 4:33.02 (2019), 4:33.77 (2018), 4:33.81 (2019).
• Stephanie Rice also swam 4:31.46 (2008), 4:32.29 (2009), 4:33.45 (2012).
• Elizabeth Beisel also swam 4:31.68 (2012), 4:31.69 (2013), 4:31.74 (2012), 4:31.78 (2011), 4:31.99 (2014), 4:32.87 (2008), 4:32.98 (2014), 4:33.52 (2014), 4:33.55 (2016).
• Kaylee McKeown also swam 4:31.68 (2023), 4:31.74 (2022), 4:32.73 (2020).
• Maya DiRado also swam 4:31.71 (2015), 4:32.70 (2013), 4:33.50 (2016), 4:33.73 (2016).
• Katie Hoff also swam 4:31.71 (2008), 4:32.89 (2007).
• Hannah Miley also swam 4:31.76 (2014), 4:32.16 (2015), 4:32.54 (2016), 4:32.67 (2012), 4:32.72 (2009), 4:33.09 (2010), 4:33.24 (2008), 4:33.25 (2014), 4:33.40 (2016), 4:33.51 (2015), 4:33.74 (2016).
• Katie Grimes also swam 4:31.81 (2023), 4:32.45 (2024), 4:32.67 (2022), 4:33.40 (2024), 4:33.80 (2023).
• Kirsty Coventry also swam 4:32.12 (2009), 4:32.15 (2009).
• Mireia Belmonte also swam 4:32.17 (2017), 4:32.39 (2016), 4:32.75 (2016), 4:32.92 (2014), 4:33.13 (2014), 4:33.42 (2016), 4:33.91 (2012).
• Li Xuanxu also swam 4:32.91 (2012).
• Emma Weyant also swam 4:33.55 (2021), 4:33.81 (2021).
• Aimee Willmott also swam 4:33.64 (2014), 4:33.66 (2015).

Women short course

• Correct as of December 2024^[53]

Pos	Time	Swimmer	Date	Venue	Ref
1	4:15.48	Summer McIntosh (CAN)	14 December 2024	Budapest	[54][55]
2	4:18.94	Mireia Belmonte (ESP)	12 August 2017	Eindhoven
3	4:19.46	Katinka Hosszú (HUN)	2 December 2015	Netanya
4	4:20.14	Katie Grimes (USA)	14 December 2024	Budapest	[56]
5	4:21.04	Julia Smit (USA)	18 December 2009	Manchester
6	4:22.73	Yui Ohashi (JPN)	10 November 2018	Tokyo
7	4:22.88	Kathryn Meaklim (RSA)	22 November 2009	Singapore
8	4:23.14	Hannah Miley (GBR)	12 December 2012	Istanbul
9	4:23.33	Ye Shiwen (CHN)	12 December 2012	Istanbul
10	4:23.68	Sydney Pickrem (CAN)	15 November 2020	Budapest
11	4:24.15	Melanie Margalis (USA)	20 December 2019	Las Vegas
12	4:24.31	Dagny Knutson (USA)	18 December 2009	Manchester	[57]
13	4:24.34	Abbie Wood (GBR)	14 December 2024	Budapest	[58]
14	4:24.62	Caitlin Leverenz (USA)	16 December 2011	Atlanta
15	4:25.33	Mary-Sophie Harvey (CAN)	1 November 2024	Singapore	[59]
16	4:25.37	Aimee Willmott (GBR)	15 December 2013	Herning
17	4:25.50	Hali Flickinger (USA)	22 November 2020	Budapest
18	4:25.55	Tessa Cieplucha (CAN)	16 December 2021	Abu Dhabi	[60]
19	4:25.56	Elizabeth Beisel (USA)	3 December 2014	Doha
20	4:25.61	Zsuzsanna Jakabos (HUN)	25 November 2012	Chartres
21	4:26.06	Alessia Filippi (ITA)	14 December 2008	Rijeka
		Ella Eastin (USA)	12 August 2017	Eindhoven
23	4:26.31	Bailey Andison (CAN)	5 September 2021	Naples
24	4:26.41	Fantine Lesaffre (FRA)	23 November 2019	London
25	4:26.52	Kirsty Coventry (ZIM)	9 April 2008	Manchester
		Ellen Walshe (IRE)	16 December 2021	Abu Dhabi	[60]

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 4:26.52:

• Katinka Hosszú also swam 4:19.75 (2015), 4:19.82 (2017), 4:20.83 (2014), 4:20.85 (2013), 4:21.05 (2014), 4:21.21 (2015), 4:21.40 (2018), 4:21.67 (2016), 4:21.91 (2018), 4:22.05 (2017), 4:22.06 (2014), 4:22.18 (2013), 4:22.94 (2014), 4:23.55 (2018), 4:23.59 (2018), 4:23.66 (2014), 4:23.67 (2014), 4:23.91 (2012), 4:24.02 (2018), 4:24.37 (2011), 4:24.69 (2013), 4:24.78 (2017), 4:25.03 (2016), 4:25.10 (2019), 4:25.13 (2016), 4:25.15 (2018), 4:25.18 (2017), 4:25.24 (2019), 4:25.33 (2014), 4:25.66 (2014), 4:25.68 (2018), 4:25.69 (2016), 4:25.88 (2017), 4:25.95 (2012), 4:25.97 (2013), 4:26.32 (2019), 4:26.42 (2014).
• Mireia Belmonte also swam 4:19.86 (2014), 4:21.23 (2013), 4:22.55 (2017), 4:22.68 (2014), 4:24.21 (2010), 4:24.55 (2011), 4:24.58 (2013), 4:25.06 (2008), 4:25.23 (2013), 4:25.85 (2014), 4:26.16 (2014), 4:26.40 (2009), 4:26.42 (2014).
• Summer McIntosh also swam 4:21.49 (2022), 4:25.86 (2024), 4:26.44 (2021).
• Yui Ohashi also swam 4:23.25 (2020), 4:24.03 (2017), 4:24.87 (2020), 4:25.53 (2020), 4:25.84 (2020), 4:26.13 (2020), 4:26.48 (2020).
• Hannah Miley also swam 4:23.47 (2012), 4:24.51 (2009), 4:24.74 (2014), 4:25.66 (2009), 4:26.06 (2011).
• Katie Grimes also swam 4:24.19 (2024), 4:24.74 (2024).
• Melanie Margalis also swam 4:24.46 (2019), 4:25.48 (2020), 4:25.84 (2018).
• Ye Shiwen alsow swam 4:24.55 (2010).
• Sydney Pickrem also swam 4:24.84 (2020), 4:25.90 (2020).
• Abbie Wood also swam 4:25.65 (2021).
• Julia Smit also swam 4:25.87 (2008).
• Mary-Sophie Harvey also swam 4:26.09 (2024), 4:26.23 (2024), 4:26.42 (2016).
• Bailey Andison also swam 4:26.39 (2021).
• Elizabeth Beisel also swam 4:26.48 (2011).
• Hali Flickinger also swam 4:26.51 (2022).