# World record progression 800 metres freestyle

The first world record in the women's 800 metres freestyle in long course (50 metres) swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) in 1931. The women's 880 yard freestyle had been a FINA-recognized world record event since 1919. However, in 1931 FINA decreed that only performances from 1931 onward would be eligible for world record consideration in the 800 metres freestyle. Thus Helene Madison's 1930 world record of 11:41.2 in the 880 yard freestyle was not considered a world record in the 800 metres freestyle even though it was over a longer distance and substantially faster than Yvonne Godard's 1931 world record of 12:18.8 in the 800 metres freestyle. In 1933, Lenore Kight swam the 880 yard freestyle in 11:44.0, which FINA recognised as a world record in the 800 metres freestyle but not in the 880 yard freestyle. This irregularity was finally resolved in 1935, when Kight's 11:34.4 in the 880 yard freestyle broke the records for both the 880 yard freestyle and the 800 metres freestyle. Because of this situation, the world records for the 880 yard freestyle for women from 1919 to 1930 are included below.

## Men
### Long course

| # | Time | | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location | Ref |
| 1 | 11:25.4 | (yd) | Henry Taylor | Great Britain | Jul 21, 1906 | - | Runcorn, United Kingdom | |
| 2 | 11:24.2 | (yd) | Norman Ross | United States | Jan 10, 1920 | - | Sydney, Australia | |
| 3 | 11:05.2 | (yd) | Boy Charlton | Australia | Jan 13, 1923 | - | Sydney, Australia | |
| 4 | 10:51.8 | (yd) | Boy Charlton | Australia | Jan 19, 1924 | - | Sydney, Australia | |
| 5 | 10:43.6 | | Arne Borg | Sweden | Apr 11, 1924 | - | Honolulu, Hawaii | |
| 6 | 10:37.4 | | Arne Borg | Sweden | Aug 25, 1925 | - | Harnäs, Sweden | |
| 7 | 10:32.0 | (yd) | Boy Charlton | Australia | Jan 8, 1927 | - | Sydney, Australia | |
| 8 | 10:22.2 | (yd) | Johnny Weissmuller | United States | Jul 27, 1927 | - | Honolulu, Hawaii | |
| 9 | 10:19.6 | | Jean Taris | France | May 30, 1930 | - | Paris, France | |
| 10 | 10:17.2 | | Jean Taris | France | Jun 9, 1931 | - | Cannes, France | |
| 11 | 10:16.6 | | Shozo Makino | Japan | Aug 30, 1931 | - | Osaka, Japan | |
| 12 | 10:15.6 | | Jean Taris | France | Jun 21, 1932 | - | Cannes, France | |
| 13 | 10:08.6 | | Shozo Makino | Japan | Jun 25, 1933 | - | Tokyo, Japan | |
| 14 | 10:01.2 | | Shozo Makino | Japan | Sep 16, 1933 | - | Tokyo, Japan | |
| 15 | 9:55.8 | | Shozo Makino | Japan | Sep 15, 1934 | - | Tokyo, Japan | |
| 16 | 9:50.9 | | Bill Smith | United States | Jul 24, 1941 | - | Honolulu, Hawaii | |
| 17 | 9:45.6 | | Hironoshin Furuhashi | Japan | Jun 26, 1949 | - | Tokyo, Japan | |
| 18 | 9:45.0 | | Shiro Hashizume | Japan | Aug 16, 1949 | - | Los Angeles, United States | |
| 19 | 9:40.7 | | Hironoshin Furuhashi | Japan | Aug 16, 1949 | - | Los Angeles, United States | |
| 20 | 9:35.5 | | Hironoshin Furuhashi | Japan | Aug 16, 1949 | - | Los Angeles, United States | |
| 21 | 9:30.7 | | Ford Konno | United States | Jul 7, 1951 | - | Honolulu, Hawaii | |
| 22 | 9:15.7 | | George Breen | United States | Oct 27, 1956 | - | New Haven, Connecticut, United States | |
| 23 | 9:17.7 | (yd) | John Konrads | Australia | Jan 11, 1958 | - | Sydney, Australia | |
| 24 | 9:14.5 | (yd) | John Konrads | Australia | Feb 22, 1958 | - | Melbourne, Australia | |
| 25 | 8:59.6 | (yd) | John Konrads | Australia | Jan 10, 1959 | - | Sydney, Australia | |
| 26 | 8:51.5 | | Murray Rose | Australia | Aug 26, 1962 | - | Los Altos, California, United States | |
| 27 | 8:47.4 | | Semyon Belits-Geiman | Soviet Union | Aug 3, 1966 | - | Kharkiv, Soviet Union | |
| 28 | 8:47.3 | | John Bennett | Australia | Jan 16, 1967 | - | Sydney, Australia | |
| 29 | 8:46.8 | | Alain Mosconi | France | Jul 5, 1967 | - | Monaco, Monaco | |
| 30 | 8:42.0 | | Francis Luyce | France | Jul 21, 1967 | - | Dinard, France | |
| 31 | 8:34.3 | † | Mike Burton | United States | Sep 3, 1968 | USA Olympic Trials | Long Beach, California, United States | |
| 32 | 8:28.8 | † | Mike Burton | United States | Aug 17, 1969 | AAU Nationals | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | |
| 33 | 8:28.6 | | Graham Windeatt | Australia | Apr 3, 1971 | NSW Combined High Schools Championships | Sydney, Australia | |
| 34 | 8:23.8 | | Brad Cooper | Australia | Jan 12, 1972 | NSW State Championships | Sydney, Australia | |
| 35 | 8:17.60 | † | Stephen Holland | Australia | Aug 5, 1973 | Pre World Championship meet | Brisbane, Australia | |
| 36 | 8:16.27 | † | Stephen Holland | Australia | Sep 8, 1973 | World Championships | Belgrade, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia | |
| 37 | 8:15.88 | † | Stephen Holland | Australia | Jan 1, 1974 | Commonwealth Games | Christchurch, New Zealand | |
| 38 | 8:15.2 | | Stephen Holland | Australia | Jan 17, 1975 | QLD State Championships | Brisbane, Australia | |
| 39 | 8:15.02 | † | Stephen Holland | Australia | Jan 25, 1975 | New Zealand Games | Christchurch, New Zealand | |
| 40 | 8:13.68 | † | Tim Shaw | United States | Jun 21, 1975 | USA World Championship Trials | Long Beach, California, United States | |
| 41 | 8:09.60 | | Tim Shaw | United States | Jul 13, 1975 | Pre World Championship meet | Mission Viejo, California, United States | |
| 42 | 8:06.27 | † | Stephen Holland | Australia | Feb 27, 1976 | AUS Olympic Trials | Sydney, Australia | |
| 43 | 8:02.91 | | Stephen Holland | Australia | Feb 29, 1976 | AUS Olympic Trials | Sydney, Australia | |
| 44 | 8:01.54 | † | Bobby Hackett | United States | Jun 21, 1976 | USA Olympic Trials | Long Beach, California, United States | |
| 45 | 7:56.49 | † | Vladimir Salnikov | Soviet Union | Mar 23, 1979 | URSvGDR Duel | Minsk, Soviet Union | |
| 46 | 7:52.83 | | Vladimir Salnikov | Soviet Union | Feb 14, 1982 | URS Winter Nationals | Moscow, Soviet Union | |
| 47 | 7:52.23 | | Vladimir Salnikov | Soviet Union | Jul 14, 1983 | Los Angeles International | Los Angeles, United States | |
| 48 | 7:50.64 | | Vladimir Salnikov | Soviet Union | Jul 4, 1986 | Goodwill Games | Moscow, Soviet Union | |
| 49 | 7:47.85 | † | Kieren Perkins | Australia | Aug 25, 1991 | Pan Pacific Championships | Edmonton, Canada | |
| 50 | 7:46.60 | | Kieren Perkins | Australia | Feb 16, 1992 | NSW Age Group Championships | Sydney, Australia | |
| 51 | 7:46.00 | † | Kieren Perkins | Australia | Aug 24, 1994 | Commonwealth Games | Victoria, BC, Canada | |
| 52 | 7:41.59 | | Ian Thorpe | Australia | Mar 26, 2001 | AUS Nationals & World Championship Trials | Hobart, Australia | link link |
| 53 | 7:39.16 | | Ian Thorpe | Australia | Jul 24, 2001 | World Championships | Fukuoka, Japan | |
| 54 | 7:38.65 | | Grant Hackett | Australia | Jul 27, 2005 | World Championships | Montreal, Canada | |
| 55 | 7:32.12 | | Zhang Lin | China | July 29, 2009 | World Championships | Rome, Italy | |

### Short course

| # | Time | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location |
| WBT | 7:38.90 | Vladimir Salnikov | Soviet Union | Feb 13, 1983 | Festival Arena | Bonn, Germany |
| 1 | 7:38.75 | Michael Gross | Germany | Feb 3, 1985 | Festival Arena | Bonn, Germany |
| 2 | 7:34.90 | Kieren Perkins | Australia | Jul 25, 1993 | Grand Prix | Sydney, Australia |
| 3 | 7:25.28 | Grant Hackett | Australia | Aug 3, 2001 | Australian Championships | Perth, Australia |
| 4 | 7:23.42 | Grant Hackett | Australia | Jul 20, 2008 | Victorian Championships | Melbourne, Australia |
| 5 | 7:20.46 | Daniel Wiffen | Ireland | Dec 10, 2023 | European Championships | Otopeni, Romania |

## Women
### Long course

| # | Time | | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location |
| 1 | 13:19.0 | (yd) | Gertrude Ederle | United States | Aug 17, 1919 | - | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |
| 2 | 12:58.2 | (yd) | Ethel McGary | United States | Aug 6, 1925 | - | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| 3 | 12:56.0 | (yd) | Ethel McGary | United States | Aug 15, 1925 | - | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |
| 4 | 12:47.2 | (yd) | Martha Norelius | United States | Aug 7, 1926 | - | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| 5 | 12:17.8 | (yd) | Martha Norelius | United States | Jul 31, 1927 | - | Massapequa, New York, United States |
| 6 | 12:03.8 | (yd) | Josephine McKim | United States | Aug 10, 1929 | - | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| 7 | 11:41.2 | (yd) | Helene Madison | United States | Jul 6, 1930 | - | Long Beach, California, United States |
| 8 | 12:18.8 | | Yvonne Godard | France | Jul 23, 1931 | - | Paris, France |
| 9 | 11:44.0 | (yd) | Lenore Kight | United States | Jul 23, 1933 | - | Jones Beach, New York, United States |
| 10 | 11:34.4 | (yd) | Lenore Kight | United States | Jul 21, 1935 | - | Manhattan Beach, California, United States |
| 11 | 11:11.7 | | Ragnhild Hveger | Denmark | Jul 3, 1936 | - | Copenhagen, Denmark |
| 12 | 10:52.5 | | Ragnhild Hveger | Denmark | Aug 13, 1941 | - | Copenhagen, Denmark |
| 13 | 10:42.4 | | Valéria Gyenge | Hungary | Jun 28, 1953 | - | Budapest, Hungary |
| 14 | 10:30.9 | | Lorraine Crapp | Australia | Jan 14, 1956 | - | Sydney, Australia |
| 15 | 10:27.3 | | Mary Kok | Netherlands | Feb 16, 1957 | - | Durban, South Africa |
| 16 | 10:17.7 | (yd) | Ilsa Konrads | Australia | Jan 9, 1958 | - | Sydney, Australia |
| 17 | 10:16.2 | (yd) | Ilsa Konrads | Australia | Feb 20, 1958 | - | Melbourne, Australia |
| 18 | 10:11.8 | (yd) | Ilsa Konrads | Australia | Jun 13, 1958 | - | Townsville, Australia |
| 19 | 10:11.4 | (yd) | Ilsa Konrads | Australia | Feb 19, 1959 | - | Hobart, Australia |
| 20 | 9:55.6 | | Jane Cederqvist | Sweden | Aug 17, 1960 | - | Uppsala, Sweden |
| 21 | 9:51.6 | | Carolyn House | United States | Aug 26, 1962 | - | Los Altos, California, United States |
| 22 | 9:47.3 | | Patty Caretto | United States | Jul 30, 1964 | - | Los Altos, California, United States |
| 23 | 9:36.9 | | Sharon Finneran | United States | Sep 28, 1964 | - | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| 24 | 9:35.8 | † | Debbie Meyer | United States | Jul 9, 1967 | Santa Clara Invitational | Santa Clara, California, United States |
| 25 | 9:22.9 | | Debbie Meyer | United States | Jul 29, 1967 | Pan-American Games | Winnipeg, Canada |
| 26 | 9:19.0 | † | Debbie Meyer | United States | Jul 21, 1968 | - | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| 27 | 9:17.8 | | Debbie Meyer | United States | Aug 4, 1968 | AAU Nationals | Lincoln, Nebraska, United States |
| 28 | 9:10.4 | | Debbie Meyer | United States | Aug 28, 1968 | USA Olympic Trials (elec. 9:10.36) | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| 29 | 9:09.1 | | Karen Moras | Australia | Mar 1, 1970 | AUS Nationals | Sydney, Australia |
| 30 | 9:02.45 | | Karen Moras | Australia | Jul 18, 1970 | Commonwealth Games | Edinburgh, United Kingdom |
| 31 | 8:59.4 | | Ann Simmons | United States | Sep 10, 1971 | USAvURSvGBR meet (elec. 8:59.37) | Minsk, Soviet Union |
| 32 | 8:58.1 | | Shane Gould | Australia | Dec 3, 1971 | - | Sydney, Australia |
| 33 | 8:53.83 | | Jo Harshbarger | United States | Aug 6, 1972 | USA Olympic Trials | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| 34 | 8:53.68 | | Keena Rothhammer | United States | Sep 3, 1972 | Olympic Games | Munich, West Germany |
| 35 | 8:52.97 | | Novella Calligaris | Italy | Sep 9, 1973 | World Championships | Belgrade, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia |
| 36 | 8:50.1 | | Jennifer Turrall | Australia | Jan 5, 1974 | NSW State Championships | Sydney, Australia |
| 37 | 8:47.66 | † | Jo Harshbarger | United States | Aug 25, 1974 | AAU Nationals | Concord, California, United States |
| 38 | 8:47.59 | | Jo Harshbarger | United States | Aug 31, 1974 | USAvGDR Duel | Concord, California, United States |
| 39 | 8:43.48 | | Jennifer Turrall | Australia | Mar 31, 1975 | Coca-Cola International | London, United Kingdom |
| 40 | 8:40.68 | | Petra Thümer | East Germany | Jun 4, 1976 | GDR Olympic Trials | East Berlin, East Germany |
| 41 | 8:39.63 | | Shirley Babashoff | United States | Jun 21, 1976 | USA Olympic Trials | Long Beach, California, United States |
| 42 | 8:37.14 | | Petra Thümer | East Germany | Jul 25, 1976 | Olympic Games | Montreal, Canada |
| 43 | 8:35.04 | | Petra Thümer | East Germany | Jul 9, 1977 | GDR Nationals & European Championship Trials | Leipzig, East Germany |
| 44 | 8:34.86 | | Michelle Ford | Australia | Jan 6, 1978 | KBI meet | Brisbane, Australia |
| 45 | 8:31.30 | | Michelle Ford | Australia | Jan 21, 1978 | NSW State Championships | Sydney, Australia |
| 46 | 8:30.53 | | Tracey Wickham | Australia | Feb 21, 1978 | AUS Nationals | Brisbane, Australia |
| 47 | 8:24.62 | | Tracey Wickham | Australia | Aug 5, 1978 | Commonwealth Games | Edmonton, Canada |
| 48 | 8:22.44 | | Janet Evans | United States | Jul 27, 1987 | USA Nationals & Pan Pacific Trials | Clovis, California, United States |
| 49 | 8:19.53 | | Anke Möhring | East Germany | Aug 19, 1987 | European Championships | Strasbourg, France |
| 50 | 8:17.12 | | Janet Evans | United States | Mar 22, 1988 | USA Spring Nationals | Orlando, Florida, United States |
| 51 | 8:16.22 | | Janet Evans | United States | Aug 20, 1989 | Pan Pacific Championships | Tokyo, Japan |
| 52 | 8:14.10 | | Rebecca Adlington | Great Britain | Aug 16, 2008 | Olympic Games | Beijing, China |
| 53 | 8:13.86 | | Katie Ledecky | United States | Aug 3, 2013 | World Championships | Barcelona, Spain |
| 54 | 8:11.00 | | Katie Ledecky | United States | 22 June 2014 | Woodlands Senior Invitational Meet | Shenandoah, United States |
| 55 | 8:07.39 | | Katie Ledecky | United States | 8 August 2015 | World Championships | Kazan, Russia |
| 56 | 8:06.68 | | Katie Ledecky | United States | 17 January 2016 | Arena Pro Swim Series | Austin, United States |
| 57 | 8:04.79 | | Katie Ledecky | United States | 12 August 2016 | Olympic Games | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |

### Short course

| # | Time | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location | Ref |
| WBT | 8:15.34 | Astrid Strauss | East Germany | Feb 7, 1987 | Bonn Arena Festival | Bonn, Germany | [20] [21][22] |
| 1 | 8:15.15 | Chen Hua | China | Dec 2, 2001 | World Cup | Shanghai, China | [21] [23] |
| 2 | 8:14.35 | Sachiko Yamada | Japan | Feb 4, 2002 | Japan 25m Nationals | Tokyo, Japan | |
| 3 | 8:11.25 | Laure Manaudou | France | Dec 9, 2005 | European SC Championships | Trieste, Italy | |
| 4 | 8:09.68 | Kate Ziegler | United States | Oct 12, 2007 | Alex Athletics Jubiläums Challenge | Essen, Germany | |
| 5 | 8:08.00 | Kate Ziegler | United States | Oct 14, 2007 | Alex Athletics Jubiläums Challenge | Essen, Germany | |
| 6 | 8:04.53 | Alessia Filippi | Italy | Dec 12, 2008 | 2008 European Short Course Championships | Rijeka, Croatia | |
| 7 | 8:01.06 | Camille Muffat | France | Nov 16, 2012 | French Nationals | Angers, France | |
| 8 | 7:59.34 | Mireia Belmonte | Spain | Aug 10, 2013 | World Cup | Berlin, Germany | |
| 9 | 7:57.42 | Katie Ledecky | United States | Nov 5, 2022 | World Cup | Indianapolis, United States | |

## All-time top 25
### Men long course

* Correct as of February 2025
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 7:32.12 | Zhang Lin (CHN) | 29 July 2009 | Rome |
| 2 | 7:35.27 | Oussama Mellouli (TUN) | 29 July 2009 | Rome |
| 3 | 7:37.00 | Ahmed Hafnaoui (TUN) | 26 July 2023 | Fukuoka |
| 4 | 7:37.76 | Samuel Short (AUS) | 26 July 2023 | Fukuoka |
| 5 | 7:38.19 | Daniel Wiffen (IRE) | 30 July 2024 | Paris |
| 6 | 7:38.57 | Sun Yang (CHN) | 27 July 2011 | Shanghai |
| 7 | 7:38.65 | Grant Hackett (AUS) | 27 July 2005 | Montreal |
| 8 | 7:38.67 | Bobby Finke (USA) | 26 July 2023 | Fukuoka |
| 9 | 7:39.16 | Ian Thorpe (AUS) | 24 July 2001 | Fukuoka |
| 10 | 7:39.27 | Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA) | 24 July 2019 | Gwangju |
| 11 | 7:39.48 | Lukas Märtens (GER) | 26 July 2023 | Fukuoka |
| 12 | 7:39.63 | Florian Wellbrock (GER) | 21 June 2022 | Budapest |
| 13 | 7:40.05 | Mykhailo Romanchuk (UKR) | 21 June 2022 | Budapest |
| 14 | 7:40.77 | Gabriele Detti (ITA) | 26 July 2017 | Budapest |
| 15 | 7:41.28 | Henrik Christiansen (NOR) | 24 July 2019 | Gwangju |
| 16 | 7:41.73 | Wojciech Wojdak (POL) | 26 July 2017 | Budapest |
| 17 | 7:41.77 | Sven Schwarz (GER) | 13 August 2023 | Dublin |
| 18 | 7:41.86 | Ryan Cochrane (CAN) | 27 July 2011 | Shanghai |
| 19 | 7:42.07 | Ahmed Jaouadi (TUN) | 29 July 2024 | Paris |
| 20 | 7:42.08 | David Aubry (FRA) | 24 July 2019 | Gwangju |
| 21 | 7:42.47 | Aleksandr Stepanov (RUS) | 18 April 2023 | Kazan |
| 22 | 7:42.51 | Jack McLoughlin (AUS) | 14 June 2021 | Adelaide |
| 23 | 7:42.86 | Elijah Winnington (AUS) | 29 July 2024 | Paris |
| 24 | 7:43.37 | Lorenzo Galossi (ITA) | 13 August 2022 | Rome |
| 25 | 7:43.60 | Michael McBroom (USA) | 31 July 2013 | Barcelona |

#### Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 7:43.60:
* Bobby Finke also swam 7:38.75 (2024), 7:39.36 (2022), 7:40.34 (2023), 7:41.87 (2021), 7:42.72 (2021), 7:43.00 (2024), 7:43.32 (2022).
* Daniel Wiffen also swam 7:39.19 (2023), 7:40.94 (2024), 7:41.53 (2024).
* Gregorio Paltrinieri also swam 7:39.38 (2024), 7:40.22 (2020), 7:40.81 (2015), 7:40.86 (2022), 7:41.19 (2022), 7:41.96 (2021), 7:42.11 (2021), 7:42.33 (2016), 7:42.44 (2017), 7:42.48 (2024), 7:42.98 (2024), 7:43.01 (2014).
* Sun Yang also swam 7:39.96 (2015), 7:41.36 (2013).
* Grant Hackett also swam 7:40.34 (2001), 7:43.16 (2005).
* Samuel Short also swam 7:40.39 (2023), 7:40.90 (2023), 7:42.96 (2023).
* Mykhailo Romanchuk also swam 7:41.28 (2021), 7:42.33 (2021), 7:42.49 (2019), 7:42.61 (2021), 7:42.96 (2018), 7:43.08 (2023).
* Lukas Märtens also swam 7:41.43 (2022), 7:42.04 (2023), 7:42.14 (2023), 7:42.65 (2022), 7:43.52 (2024).
* Ian Thorpe also swam 7:41.59 (2001).
* Gabriele Detti also swam 7:41.64 (2017), 7:42.74 (2014), 7:43.06 (2016), 7:43.52 (2016).
* Florian Wellbrock also swam 7:41.77 (2021), 7:42.68 (2021), 7:42.99 (2023), 7:43.03 (2019), 7:43.10 (2022).
* Oussama Mellouli also swam 7:41.82 (2009).
* Ryan Cochrane also swam 7:41.92 (2009).
* Ahmed Hafnaoui also swam 7:41.97 (2023).
* Jack McLoughlin also swam 7:42.64 (2019).
* Ahmed Jaouadi also swam 7:42.87 (2024).
* Elijah Winnington also swam 7:42.95 (2024).
* Sven Schwarz also swam 7:43.43 (2023), 7:43.59 (2024).
* David Aubry also swam 7:43.59 (2024).

### Men short course

* Correct as of February 2025
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 7:20.46 | Daniel Wiffen (IRL) | 10 December 2023 | Otopeni |
| 2 | 7:23.42 | Grant Hackett (AUS) | 20 July 2008 | Melbourne |
| 3 | 7:25.73 | Mykhailo Romanchuk (UKR) | 21 November 2020 | Budapest |
| 4 | 7:25.78 | Henrik Christiansen (NOR) | 21 November 2020 | Budapest |
| 5 | 7:27.94 | Gregorio Paltrinieri (ITA) | 7 November 2021 | Kazan |
| 6 | 7:27.99 | Florian Wellbrock (GER) | 7 November 2021 | Kazan |
| 7 | 7:29.17 | Yannick Agnel (FRA) | 16 November 2012 | Angers |
| 8 | 7:30.32 | David Aubry (FRA) | 10 December 2023 | Otopeni |
| 9 | 7:30.41 | David Johnston (USA) | 24 August 2022 | Sydney |
| 10 | 7:30.56 | Zalan Sarkany (HUN) | 14 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 11 | 7:31.18 | Federico Colbertaldo (ITA) | 19 December 2009 | Manchester |
| 12 | 7:31.89 | Felix Auböck (AUT) | 21 November 2020 | Budapest |
| 13 | 7:31.93 | Ahmed Jaouadi (TUN) | 14 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 14 | 7:32.77 | Alexander Nørgaard (DEN) | 18 December 2020 | Helsingør |
| 15 | 7:33.01 | Victor Johansson (SWE) | 5 November 2023 | Espoo |
| 16 | 7:33.12 | Logan Fontaine (FRA) | 17 December 2022 | Melbourne |
| 17 | 7:33.23 | Jan Micka (CZE) | 16 November 2018 | Plzeň |
| 18 | 7:33.24 | Sven Schwarz (GER) | 14 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 19 | 7:33.44 | Florian Vogel (GER) | 21 November 2015 | Wuppertal |
| 20 | 7:33.60 | Wojciech Wojdak (POL) | 19 December 2015 | Lublin |
| 21 | 7:33.69 | Ahmed Hafnaoui (TUN) | 21 December 2021 | Abu Dhabi |
| 22 | 7:33.78 | Shogo Takeda (JPN) | 17 December 2022 | Melbourne |
| 23 | 7:33.94 | Chad La Tourette (USA) | 19 December 2009 | United Kingdom |
| 24 | 7:33.97 | Savely Luzin (RUS) | 24 November 2024 | Saint Petersburg |
| 25 | 7:33.99 | Michael McBroom (USA) | 20 December 2013 | United Kingdom |

#### Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 7:33.99:
* Grant Hackett also swam 7:25.28 (2001).
* Daniel Wiffen also swam 7:25.96 (2022), 7:31.82 (2023), 7:33.38 (2023).
* Henrik Christiansen also swam 7:29.39 (2019), 7:30.79 (2019), 7:31.48 (2022), 7:33.28 (2019).
* Gregorio Paltrinieri also swam 7:29.99 (2022), 7:30.31 (2018), 7:31.33 (2015), 7:33.54 (2021).
* Mykhailo Romanchuk also swam 7:31.20 (2023), 7:31.92 (2018), 7:33.40 (2021), 7:33.41 (2023).
* David Aubry also swam 7:31.60 (2019).
* Florian Wellbrock also swam 7:31.90 (2024), 7:32.04 (2019), 7:32.85 (2021), 7:33.04 (2021).
* Victor Johansson also swam 7:33.11 (2023).
* Felix Auböck also swam 7:33.83 (2022).
* Ahmed Jaouadi also swam 7:33.84 (2024).
* Sven Schwarz also swam 7:33.85 (2021).

### Women long course

* Correct as of February 2025
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 8:04.79 | Katie Ledecky (USA) | 12 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro |
| 2 | 8:09.86 | Summer McIntosh (CAN) | 13 February 2025 | Plantation |
| 3 | 8:12.29 | Ariarne Titmus (AUS) | 3 August 2024 | Paris |
| 4 | 8:13.00 | Paige Madden (USA) | 3 August 2024 | Paris |
| 5 | 8:13.31 | Li Bingjie (CHN) | 29 July 2023 | Fukuoka |
| 6 | 8:14.10 | Rebecca Adlington (GBR) | 16 August 2008 | Beijing |
| 7 | 8:14.55 | Simona Quadarella (ITA) | 3 August 2024 | Paris |
| 8 | 8:14.64 | Wang Jianjiahe (CHN) | 30 March 2019 | Qingdao |
| 9 | 8:15.11 | Lani Pallister (AUS) | 22 October 2023 | Budapest |
| 10 | 8:15.54 | Jazmin Carlin (GBR) | 21 August 2014 | Berlin |
| 11 | 8:15.92 | Lotte Friis (DEN) | 1 August 2009 | Rome |
| 12 | 8:16.22 | Janet Evans (USA) | 20 August 1989 | Tokyo |
| 13 | 8:16.33 | Leah Smith (USA) | 10 April 2019 | Richmond |
| 14 | 8:16.37 | Boglárka Kapás (HUN) | 12 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro |
| 15 | 8:16.43 | Sarah Köhler (GER) | 27 July 2019 | Gwangju |
| 16 | 8:16.66 | Joanne Jackson (GBR) | 1 August 2009 | Rome |
| 17 | 8:16.70 | Camelia Potec (ROU) | 22 April 2009 | Montpellier |
| 18 | 8:16.79 | Kiah Melverton (AUS) | 2 August 2022 | Birmingham |
| 19 | 8:17.05 | Katie Grimes (USA) | 29 July 2021 | Tokyo |
| 20 | 8:17.21 | Alessia Filippi (ITA) | 1 August 2009 | Rome |
| 21 | 8:17.53 | Isabel Gose (GER) | 17 February 2024 | Doha |
| 22 | 8:17.65 | Lauren Boyle (NZL) | 8 August 2015 | Kazan |
| 23 | 8:18.00 | Erika Fairweather (NZL) | 5 April 2023 | Auckland |
| 24 | 8:18.14 | Jessica Ashwood (AUS) | 5 June 2016 | Santa Clara |
| 25 | 8:18.52 | Kate Ziegler (USA) | 31 March 2007 | Melbourne |

#### Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 8:18.52:
* Katie Ledecky also swam 8:06.68 (2016), 8:07.07 (2023), 8:07.27 (2018), 8:07.39 (2015), 8:08.04 (2022), 8:08.87 (2023), 8:09.13 (2018), 8:09.27 (2022), 8:10.32 (2016), 8:10.70 (2019), 8:10.91 (2016), 8:11.00 (2014), 8:11.04 (2024), 8:11.08 (2018), 8:11.21 (2015), 8:11.35 (2014), 8:11.50 (2017), 8:11.70 (2018), 8:11.83 (2022), 8:11.98 (2018), 8:12.03 (2022), 8:12.57 (2021), 8:12.68 (2017), 8:12.81 (2021), 8:12.86 (2016), 8:12.95 (2024), 8:13.02 (2015), 8:13.06 (2022), 8:13.20 (2016), 8:13.25 (2015), 8:13.56 (2023), 8:13.58 (2019), 8:13.64 (2021), 8:13.86 (2013), 8:13.90 (2022), 8:14.07 (2023), 8:14.12 (2024), 8:14.24 (2019), 8:14.40 (2018), 8:14.48 (2021), 8:14.52 (2024), 8:14.59 (2019), 8:14.62 (2021), 8:14.63 (2012), 8:14.70 (2023), 8:14.95 (2019), 8:15.29 (2015), 8:15.44 (2017), 8:15.60 (2023), 8:15.64 (2023), 8:15.67 (2021), 8:15.71 (2017), 8:15.91 (2023), 8:15.97 (2017), 8:16.18 (2014), 8:16.23 (2020), 8:16.39 (2021), 8:16.40 (2015), 8:16.61 (2021), 8:16.62 (2024), 8:16.90 (2014), 8:17.12 (2024), 8:17.13 (2024), 8:17.20 (2021), 8:17.29 (2023), 8:17.33 (2013), 8:17.42 (2019), 8:17.51 (2022), 8:17.70 (2024), 8:17.92 (2021), 8:18.47 (2014).
* Summer McIntosh also swam 8:11.39 (2024).
* Ariarne Titmus also swam 8:13.59 (2022, 2023), 8:13.83 (2021), 8:14.06 (2024), 8:15.57 (2021), 8:15.70 (2019), 8:15.88 (2023), 8:17.07 (2018), 8:17.87 (2024), 8:18.23 (2019).
* Simona Quadarella also swam 8:14.99 (2019), 8:16.45 (2018), 8:16.46 (2023), 8:17.32 (2021), 8:17.44 (2024), 8:17.95 (2019), 8:18.35 (2021).
* Li Bingjie also swam 8:15.46 (2017), 8:17.39 (2021).
* Jazmin Carlin also swam 8:16.17 (2016), 8:18.11 (2014), 8:18.15 (2015), 8:18.36 (2014).
* Lotte Friis also swam 8:16.32 (2013), 8:17.16 (2013), 8:18.20 (2011).
* Rebecca Adlington also swam 8:16.81 (2009), 8:17.51 (2011), 8:17.90 (2009), 8:18.06 (2008).
* Lani Pallister also swam 8:16.82 (2023), 8:17.77 (2022), 8:18.46 (2024).
* Leah Smith also swam 8:17.10 (2019), 8:17.21 (2018), 8:17.22 (2017), 8:17.23 (2019), 8:17.52 (2022).
* Janet Evans also swam 8:17.12 (1988).
* Sarah Köhler also swam 8:17.33 (2021).
* Joanne Jackson also swam 8:17.81 (2009).
* Isabel Gose also swam 8:17.82 (2024), 8:17.95 (2023).
* Wang Jianjiahe also swam 8:18.09 (2018).
* Jessica Ashwood also swam 8:18.41 (2015), 8:18.42 (2016).
* Paige Madden also swam 8:18.48 (2024).

### Women short course

* Correct as of February 2025
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 7:57.42 | Katie Ledecky (USA) | 5 November 2022 | Indianapolis |
| 2 | 7:59.34 | Mireia Belmonte (ESP) | 10 August 2013 | Berlin |
| 3 | 7:59.44 | Wang Jianjiahe (CHN) | 6 October 2018 | Budapest |
| 4 | 8:01.06 | Camille Muffat (FRA) | 16 November 2012 | Angers |
| 5 | 8:01.22 | Lauren Boyle (NZL) | 7 August 2013 | Netherlands |
| 6 | 8:01.95 | Lani Pallister (AUS) | 11 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 7 | 8:02.09 | Li Bingjie (CHN) | 29 October 2022 | Beijing |
| 8 | 8:04.53 | Alessia Filippi (ITA) | 12 December 2008 | Rijeka |
| 9 | 8:04.61 | Lotte Friis (DEN) | 14 November 2009 | Berlin |
| 10 | 8:04.65 | Anastasiya Kirpichnikova (FRA) | 3 November 2021 | Kazan |
| 11 | 8:05.32 | Coralie Balmy (FRA) | 12 December 2008 | Rijeka |
| 12 | 8:05.42 | Isabel Marie Gose (GER) | 11 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 13 | 8:05.90 | Katie Grimes (USA) | 11 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 14 | 8:07.12 | Summer McIntosh (CAN) | 5 November 2022 | Indianapolis |
| 15 | 8:07.22 | Paige Madden (USA) | 11 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 16 | 8:07.67 | Leah Smith (USA) | 7 December 2016 | Windsor |
| 17 | 8:07.99 | Simona Quadarella (ITA) | 18 December 2021 | Abu Dhabi |
| 18 | 8:08.00 | Kate Ziegler (USA) | 14 October 2007 | Germany |
| 19 | 8:08.02 | Kristel Kobrich (CHI) | 14 November 2009 | Berlin |
| 19 | 8:08.02 | Sarah Köhler (GER) | 14 November 2019 | Berlin |
| 21 | 8:08.16 | Jazmin Carlin (GBR) | 4 December 2014 | Doha |
| 22 | 8:08.17 | Sharon van Rouwendaal (NED) | 4 December 2014 | Doha |
| 23 | 8:08.25 | Rebecca Adlington (GBR) | 10 April 2008 | Manchester |
| 24 | 8:08.41 | Katinka Hosszú (HUN) | 24 October 2014 | China |
| 25 | 8:10.41 | Erika Fairweather (NZL) | 14 December 2022 | Melbourne |

#### Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 8:10.41:
* Katie Ledecky also swam 8:00.58 (2022).
* Mireia Belmonte also swam 8:01.43 (2013), 8:03.41 (2014), 8:04.88 (2014), 8:05.18 (2013), 8:07.10 (2017), 8:07.47 (2017), 8:07.59 (2013), 8:07.90 (2013), 8:08.40 (2013), 8:08.57 (2014).
* Lauren Boyle also swam 8:02.53 (2013), 8:06.15 (2013), 8:08.62 (2012).
* Li Bingjie also swam 8:02.90 (2021), 8:09.81 (2018), 8:10.08 (2021).
* Wang Jianjiahe also swam 8:03.86 (2018), 8:04.35 (2018), 8:07.59 (2018).
* Lani Pallister also swam 8:04.07 (2022), 8:06.71 (2024), 8:07.37 (2022), 8:08.66 (2022), 8:10.12 (2020).
* Lotte Friis also swam 8:04.77 (2011), 8:07.53 (2011), 8:07.94 (2009), 8:08.02 (2009), 8:08.68 (2013), 8:09.84 (2013), 8:09.91 (2008), 8:10.24 (2012), 8:10.40 (2013).
* Anastasiya Kirpichnikova also swam 8:06.44 (2021), 8:07.49 (2021), 8:08.44 (2021), 8:08.48 (2023), 8:09.22 (2023), 8:10.14 (2022).
* Simona Quadarella also swam 8:08.03 (2018), 8:09.39 (2024), 8:10.30 (2019).
* Isabel Marie Gose also swam 8:08.26 (2021).
* Sarah Köhler also swam 8:08.39 (2019).
* Leah Smith also swam 8:08.75 (2018), 8:10.03 (2015), 8:10.17 (2016).
* Kristel Kobrich also swam 8:09.25 (2009).
* Katinka Hosszú also swam 8:09.27 (2014), 8:09.36 (2014).
* Kate Ziegler also swam 8:09.68 (2007).