# World record progression 400 metres individual medley

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 |
| 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 |
| 47 | 4:02.50 | | Léon Marchand | France | 23 July 2023 | World Championships | Fukuoka, Japan |

### Short course

| # | Time | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location |
| 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 |
| 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 |

### Short course

| # | Time | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location |
| 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 |
| 9 | 4:20.83 | Katinka Hosszú | Hungary | 28 August 2014 | World Cup | Doha, Qatar |
| 10 | 4:19.86 | Mireia Belmonte | Spain | 3 December 2014 | World Championships | Doha, Qatar |
| 11 | 4:19.46 | Katinka Hosszú | Hungary | 2 December 2015 | European Championships | Netanya, Israel |
| 12 | 4:18.94 | Mireia Belmonte | Spain | 12 August 2017 | World Cup | Eindhoven, Netherlands |
| 13 | 4:15.48 | Summer McIntosh | Canada | 14 December 2024 | World Championships | Budapest, Hungary |

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

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

#### 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), 4:09.51 (2025), 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
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 3:54.81 | Daiya Seto (JPN) | 20 December 2019 | Las Vegas |
| 2 | 3:55.50 | Ryan Lochte (USA) | 16 December 2010 | Dubai |
| 3 | 3:56.47 | Ilya Borodin (RUS) | 20 December 2021 | Abu Dhabi |
| 4 | 3:56.48 | Kosuke Hagino (JPN) | 13 January 2014 | Tokyo |
| 5 | 3:57.01 | Alberto Razzetti (ITA) | 10 December 2023 | Otopeni |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 12 | 3:59.21 | Matthew Sates (RSA) | 17 December 2022 | Melbourne |
| 13 | 3:59.23 | Chad Le Clos (RSA) | 9 November 2013 | Tokyo |
| 14 | 3:59.33 | Brendon Smith (AUS) | 30 September 2021 | Naples |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 4:24.38 | Summer McIntosh (CAN) | 16 May 2024 | Toronto |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 16 | 4:32.30 | Jenna Forrester (AUS) | 30 July 2023 | Fukuoka |
| 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), 4:26.98 (2025), 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
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 4:15.48 | Summer McIntosh (CAN) | 14 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 13 | 4:24.34 | Abbie Wood (GBR) | 14 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 14 | 4:24.62 | Caitlin Leverenz (USA) | 16 December 2011 | Atlanta |
| 15 | 4:25.33 | Mary-Sophie Harvey (CAN) | 1 November 2024 | Singapore |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 21 | 4:26.06 | 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 |
| 25 | 4:26.52 | Ellen Walshe (IRE) | 16 December 2021 | Abu Dhabi |

#### 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).