# 400 metres

The 400 metres, or 400-meter dash, is a sprint event in track and field competitions. It has been featured in the athletics programme at the Summer Olympics since 1896 for men and since 1964 for women. On a standard outdoor running track, it is one lap around the track. Runners start in staggered positions and race in separate lanes for the entire course. In many countries, athletes previously competed in the 440-yard dash (402.336 m)—which is a quarter of a mile (1,760 yards) and was referred to as the "quarter-mile"—instead of the 400 m (437.445 yards), though this distance is now obsolete.
Like other sprint disciplines, the 400 m involves the use of starting blocks. The runners take up position in the blocks on the "ready" command, adopt a more efficient starting posture which isometrically preloads their muscles on the "set" command, and stride forwards from the blocks upon hearing the starter's pistol. The blocks allow the runners to begin more powerfully and thereby contribute to their overall sprint speed capability. Maximum sprint speed capability is a significant contributing factor to success in the event, but athletes also require substantial speed endurance and the ability to cope well with high amounts of lactic acid to sustain a fast speed over a whole lap. While considered to be predominantly an anaerobic event, there is some aerobic involvement and the degree of aerobic training required for 400-metre athletes is open to debate.
The current men's world record and Olympic record is held by Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa; his time of 43.03 seconds is the fastest 400 m ever run, in either an open 400 m or a relay. While Michael Johnson holds the fastest 400 m relay split with a time of 42.94, relay splits are typically faster because athletes have a running start and do not need to react to the gun if they are not the leadoff leg. Considering van Niekerk's reaction time of 0.181 seconds in his run of 43.03, van Niekerk covered the 400-metre distance itself in 42.85 seconds, therefore being 0.09 s faster than Johnson's relay split.
Quincy Hall is the reigning men's Olympic champion. Antonio Watson is the current men's world champion. Christopher Morales Williams is the men's world indoor record holder with a time of 44.49 seconds.
The current women's world record is held by Marita Koch, with a time of 47.60 seconds. Marileidy Paulino is the current women's world champion and women’s Olympic champion, and holds the Olympic record in a time of 48.17 seconds. Femke Bol holds the women's world indoor record at 49.17 (2024). The men's T43 Paralympic world record of 45.07 seconds is held by Oscar Pistorius.
An Olympic double of 200 metres and 400 m was first achieved by Valerie Brisco-Hooks in 1984, and later by Marie-José Pérec of France and Michael Johnson from the United States on the same evening in 1996. Alberto Juantorena of Cuba at the 1976 Summer Olympics became the first and so far the only athlete to win both the 400 m and 800 m Olympic titles. Pérec became the first to defend the Olympic title in 1996, Johnson became the first and only man to do so in 2000. From 31 appearances in the Olympic Games, the men's gold medalist came from the US 19 times (as of 2019).

## Continental records

* Updated 9 August 2024.
| Area | Men | Men | Men | Women | Women | Women |
| Area | Time (s) | Athlete | Nation | Time (s) | Athlete | Nation |
| Africa (records) | 43.03 WR | Wayde van Niekerk | South Africa | 49.10 | Falilat Ogunkoya | Nigeria |
| Asia (records) | 43.93 | Yousef Masrahi | Saudi Arabia | 48.14 | Salwa Eid Naser | Bahrain |
| Europe (records) | 43.44 | Matthew Hudson-Smith | Great Britain | 47.60 WR | Marita Koch | East Germany |
| North, Central America and Caribbean (records) | 43.18 | Michael Johnson | United States | 48.17 | Marileidy Paulino | Dominican Republic |
| Oceania (records) | 44.38 | Darren Clark | Australia | 48.63 | Cathy Freeman | Australia |
| South America (records) | 43.93 | Anthony Zambrano | Colombia | 49.64 | Ximena Restrepo | Colombia |

## All-time top 25

* Tables show data for two definitions of "Top 25" - the top 25 400 m times and the top 25 athletes:
* - denotes top performance for athletes in the top 25 400 m times
* - denotes lesser performances, still in the top 25 400 m times, by repeat athletes
* - denotes top performance (only) for other top 25 athletes who fall outside the top 25 400 m times

### Men (outdoor)

* Correct as of August 2024.
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Time (s) | Reaction (s) | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place |
| 1 | 1 | 43.03 | 0.181 | Wayde van Niekerk | South Africa | 14 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro |
| 2 | 2 | 43.18 | 0.150 | Michael Johnson | United States | 26 August 1999 | Seville |
| 3 | 3 | 43.29 | | Butch Reynolds | United States | 17 August 1988 | Zürich |
| | 4 | 43.39 | | Johnson #2 | | 9 August 1995 | Gothenburg |
| 4 | 5 | 43.40 | 0.168 | Quincy Hall | United States | 7 August 2024 | Saint-Denis |
| | 6 | 43.44 | | Johnson #3 | | 19 June 1996 | Atlanta |
| 5 | 6 | 43.44 | 0.149 | Matthew Hudson-Smith | Great Britain | 7 August 2024 | Saint-Denis |
| 6 | 8 | 43.45 | 0.182 | Jeremy Wariner | United States | 31 August 2007 | Osaka |
| 6 | 8 | 43.45 | | Michael Norman | United States | 20 April 2019 | Torrance |
| | 10 | 43.48 | 0.156 | van Niekerk #2 | | 26 August 2015 | Beijing |
| 8 | 11 | 43.48 | 0.164 | Steven Gardiner | Bahamas | 4 October 2019 | Doha |
| | 12 | 43.49 | | Johnson #4 | | 29 July 1996 | Atlanta |
| 9 | 13 | 43.50 | | Quincy Watts | United States | 5 August 1992 | Barcelona |
| | 14 | 43.50 | | Wariner #2 | | 7 August 2007 | Stockholm |
| | 15 | 43.56 | | Norman #2 | | 25 June 2022 | Eugene |
| | 16 | 43.60 | 0.130 | Norman #3 | | 28 May 2022 | Eugene |
| | 17 | 43.61 | | Norman #4 | | 8 June 2018 | Eugene |
| | 18 | 43.62 | | Wariner #3 | | 14 July 2006 | Rome |
| | 18 | 43.62 | 0.164 | van Niekerk #3 | | 6 July 2017 | Lausanne |
| 10 | 20 | 43.64 | | Fred Kerley | United States | 27 July 2019 | Des Moines |
| | 21 | 43.65 | | Johnson #5 | | 17 August 1993 | Stuttgart |
| 11 | 21 | 43.65 | 0.195 | LaShawn Merritt | United States | 26 August 2015 | Beijing |
| | 23 | 43.66 | | Johnson #6 | | 16 June 1995 | Sacramento |
| | 23 | 43.66 | | Johnson #7 | | 3 July 1996 | Lausanne |
| | 25 | 43.68 | | Johnson #8 | | 12 August 1998 | Zürich |
| 12 | | 43.70 | | Champion Allison | United States | 25 June 2022 | Eugene |
| 13 | | 43.72 | | Isaac Makwala | Botswana | 5 July 2015 | La Chaux-de-Fonds |
| 14 | | 43.74 | | Kirani James | Grenada | 3 July 2014 | Lausanne |
| 14 | | 43.74 | 0.185 | Muzala Samukonga | Zambia | 7 August 2024 | Saint-Denis |
| 16 | | 43.78 | 0.144 | Jereem Richards | Trinidad and Tobago | 7 August 2024 | Saint-Denis |
| 17 | | 43.81 | | Danny Everett | United States | 26 June 1992 | New Orleans |
| 18 | | 43.85 | | Randolph Ross | United States | 11 June 2021 | Eugene |
| 19 | | 43.86 A | | Lee Evans | United States | 18 October 1968 | Mexico City |
| 20 | | 43.87 | | Steve Lewis | United States | 28 September 1988 | Seoul |
| 21 | | 43.93 | | Yousef Masrahi | Saudi Arabia | 23 August 2015 | Beijing |
| 21 | | 43.93 | | Rusheen McDonald | Jamaica | 23 August 2015 | Beijing |
| 21 | | 43.93 | | Anthony Zambrano | Colombia | 2 August 2021 | Tokyo |
| 24 | | 43.94 | | Akeem Bloomfield | Jamaica | 8 June 2018 | Eugene |
| 25 | | 43.97 | | Larry James | United States | 18 October 1968 | Mexico City |

### Women (outdoor)

* Correct as of August 2024.
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Time (s) | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place |
| 1 | 1 | 47.60 | Marita Koch | East Germany | 6 October 1985 | Canberra |
| 2 | 2 | 47.99 | Jarmila Kratochvílová | Czechoslovakia | 10 August 1983 | Helsinki |
| 3 | 3 | 48.14 | Salwa Eid Naser | Bahrain | 3 October 2019 | Doha |
| | 4 | 48.16 | Koch #2 | | 8 September 1982 | Athens |
| | 4 | 48.16 | Koch #3 | | 16 August 1984 | Prague |
| 4 | 6 | 48.17 | Marileidy Paulino | Dominican Republic | 9 August 2024 | Saint-Denis |
| | 7 | 48.22 | Koch #4 | | 28 August 1986 | Stuttgart |
| 5 | 8 | 48.25 | Marie-José Pérec | France | 29 July 1996 | Atlanta |
| | 9 | 48.26 | Koch #5 | | 27 July 1984 | Dresden |
| 6 | 10 | 48.27 | Olga Bryzgina | Soviet Union | 6 October 1985 | Canberra |
| 7 | 11 | 48.36 | Shaunae Miller-Uibo | Bahamas | 6 August 2021 | Tokyo |
| | 12 | 48.37 | Miller-Uibo #2 | | 3 October 2019 | Doha |
| | 13 | 48.45 | Kratochvílová #2 | | 23 July 1983 | Prague |
| | 14 | 48.53 | Naser #2 | | 9 August 2024 | Saint-Denis |
| 8 | 15 | 48.57 | Nickisha Pryce | Jamaica | 20 July 2024 | London |
| 9 | 16 | 48.59 | Taťána Kocembová | Czechoslovakia | 10 August 1983 | Helsinki |
| | 17 | 48.60 | Koch #6 | | 4 August 1979 | Turin |
| | 17 | 48.60 | Bryzgina #2 | | 17 August 1985 | Moscow |
| | 19 | 48.61 | Kratochvílová #3 | | 6 September 1981 | Rome |
| 10 | 20 | 48.63 | Cathy Freeman | Australia | 29 July 1996 | Atlanta |
| | 21 | 48.65 | Bryzgina #3 | | 26 September 1988 | Seoul |
| | 22 | 48.66 | Paulino #2 | | 25 August 2024 | Chorzów |
| 11 | 23 | 48.70 | Sanya Richards-Ross | United States | 16 September 2006 | Athens |
| | 24 | 48.73 | Kocembová #2 | | 16 August 1984 | Prague |
| 12 | 25 | 48.74 | Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone | United States | 8 July 2023 | Eugene |
| 13 | | 48.83 | Valerie Brisco-Hooks | United States | 6 August 1984 | Los Angeles |
| 14 | | 48.89 | Ana Guevara | Mexico | 27 August 2003 | Saint-Denis |
| 15 | | 48.90 | Natalia Kaczmarek | Poland | 20 July 2024 | London |
| 16 | | 49.05 | Chandra Cheeseborough | United States | 6 August 1984 | Los Angeles |
| 17 | | 49.07 | Tonique Williams-Darling | Bahamas | 12 September 2004 | Berlin |
| 17 | | 49.07 | Rhasidat Adeleke | Ireland | 10 June 2024 | Rome |
| 19 | | 49.10 | Falilat Ogunkoya | Nigeria | 29 July 1996 | Atlanta |
| 20 | | 49.11 | Olga Nazarova | Soviet Union | 25 September 1988 | Seoul |
| 21 | | 49.13 | Britton Wilson | United States | 13 May 2023 | Baton Rouge |
| 21 | | 49.13 | Kaylyn Brown | United States | 8 June 2024 | Eugene |
| 23 | | 49.16 | Antonina Krivoshapka | Russia | 5 July 2012 | Cheboksary |
| 24 | | 49.19 | Mariya Pinigina | Soviet Union | 10 August 1983 | Helsinki |
| 25 | | 49.22 | Christine Mboma | Namibia | 17 April 2021 | Windhoek |

#### Annulled marks

* Christine Mboma ran 48.54 in Bydgoszcz on 30 June 2021, but her performance was removed from the World Athletics database because of Testosterone regulations in women's athletics.
* Aminatou Seyni ran 49.19 in Lausanne on 5 July 2019, but her performance was removed from the World Athletics database because of Testosterone regulations in women's athletics.

### Men (indoor)

* Correct as of September 2024.
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Time (s) | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place |
| 1 | 1 | 44.49 | Christopher Morales Williams | Canada | 24 February 2024 | Fayetteville |
| 2 | 2 | 44.52 | Michael Norman | United States | 10 March 2018 | College Station |
| 3 | 3 | 44.57 | Kerron Clement | United States | 12 March 2005 | Fayetteville |
| 4 | 4 | 44.62 | Randolph Ross | United States | 12 March 2022 | Birmingham |
| 5 | 5 | 44.63 | Michael Johnson | United States | 4 March 1995 | Atlanta |
| | 6 | 44.66 | Johnson #2 | | 2 March 1996 | Atlanta |
| | 7 | 44.67 | Morales Williams #2 | | 7 March 2024 | Boston |
| 6 | 8 | 44.71 | Noah Williams | United States | 13 March 2021 | Fayetteville |
| 7 | 9 | 44.75 | Elija Godwin | United States | 25 February 2023 | Fayetteville |
| | 10 | 44.75 A | Godwin #2 | | 11 March 2023 | Albuquerque |
| 8 | 11 | 44.80 | Kirani James | Grenada | 27 February 2011 | Fayetteville |
| 9 | 12 | 44.82 | Tyrell Richard | United States | 9 March 2019 | Birmingham |
| | 13 | 44.83 | Ross #2 | | 11 February 2022 | Clemson |
| 10 | 14 | 44.85 | Fred Kerley | United States | 11 March 2017 | College Station |
| 11 | 15 | 44.86 | Akeem Bloomfield | Jamaica | 10 March 2018 | College Station |
| 12 | 16 | 44.88 | Bralon Taplin | Grenada | 3 February 2018 | College Station |
| 13 | 17 | 44.91 | Auhmad Robinson | United States | 9 March 2024 | Boston |
| 14 | 18 | 44.93 | LaShawn Merritt | United States | 11 February 2005 | Fayetteville |
| 14 | 18 | 44.93 A | Ryan Willie | United States | 11 March 2023 | Albuquerque |
| | 20 | 44.94 | Kerley #2 | | 25 February 2017 | Nashville |
| | 21 | 44.97 | Johnson #3 | | 10 February 1995 | Reno |
| | 22 | 44.99 | Ross #3 | | 13 March 2021 | Fayetteville |
| | 23 | 45.00 | Norman #2 | | 9 February 2018 | Clemson |
| 16 | 23 | 45.00 | Jereem Richards | Trinidad and Tobago | 19 March 2022 | Belgrade |
| 17 | 25 | 45.02 | Danny Everett | United States | 2 February 1992 | Stuttgart |
| | 25 | 45.02 | Kerley #3 | | 10 February 2017 | Clemson |
| | 25 | 45.02 | Bloomfield #2 | | 9 February 2018 | Clemson |
| 17 | 25 | 45.02 | Khaleb McCrae | United States | 3 February 2024 | Albuquerque |
| 19 | | 45.03 | Torrin Lawrence | United States | 12 February 2010 | Fayetteville |
| 19 | | 45.03 | Deon Lendore | Trinidad and Tobago | 1 March 2014 | College Station |
| 19 | | 45.03 | Kahmari Montgomery | United States | 9 March 2019 | Birmingham |
| 22 | | 45.04 | Champion Allison | United States | 26 February 2022 | College Station |
| 23 | | 45.05 | Thomas Schönlebe | East Germany | 5 February 1988 | Sindelfingen |
| 23 | | 45.05 | Alvin Harrison | United States | 28 February 1998 | Atlanta |
| 23 | | 45.05 | Karsten Warholm | Norway | 2 March 2019 | Glasgow |
| 23 | | 45.05 | Trevor Bassitt | United States | 19 March 2022 | Belgrade |
| 23 | | 45.05 | Jacory Patterson | United States | 25 February 2023 | Fayetteville |

### Women (indoor)

* Correct as of March 2025.
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Time (s) | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place |
| 1 | 1 | 49.17 | Femke Bol | Netherlands | 2 March 2024 | Glasgow |
| | 2 | 49.24 | Bol #2 | | 17 February 2024 | Apeldoorn |
| 2 | 2 | 49.24 | Isabella Whittaker | United States | 15 March 2025 | Virginia Beach |
| | 4 | 49.26 | Bol #3 | | 19 February 2023 | Apeldoorn |
| 3 | 5 | 49.48 A | Britton Wilson | United States | 11 March 2023 | Albuquerque |
| 4 | 6 | 49.59 | Jarmila Kratochvílová | Czechoslovakia | 7 March 1982 | Milan |
| | 7 | 49.63 | Bol #4 | | 10 February 2024 | Liévin |
| | 8 | 49.64 | Kratochvílová #2 | | 28 January 1981 | Vienna |
| 5 | 9 | 49.68 | Natalya Nazarova | Russia | 18 February 2004 | Moscow |
| | 10 | 49.69 | Kratochvílová #3 | | 6 March 1983 | Budapest |
| | 10 | 49.69 | Bol #5 | | 1 February 2024 | Metz |
| 6 | 12 | 49.76 | Taťána Kocembová | Czechoslovakia | 2 February 1984 | Vienna |
| 7 | 13 | 49.78 | Aaliyah Butler | United States | 1 March 2025 | College Station |
| | 14 | 49.85 | Bol #6 | | 4 March 2023 | Istanbul |
| | 15 | 49.90 | Whittaker #2 | | 1 March 2025 | College Station |
| | 16 | 49.96 | Bol #7 | | 11 February 2023 | Metz |
| | 17 | 49.97 | Kocembová #2 | | 4 March 1984 | Gothenburg |
| | 17 | 49.97 | Butler #2 | | 15 March 2025 | Virginia Beach |
| | 19 | 49.98 | Nazarova #2 | | 18 February 2006 | Moscow |
| | 20 | 50.00 | Kratochvílová #4 | | 10 February 1983 | Vienna |
| 8 | 21 | 50.01 | Sabine Busch | East Germany | 2 February 1984 | Vienna |
| 9 | 22 | 50.02 | Nicola Sanders | Great Britain | 3 March 2007 | Birmingham |
| 10 | 23 | 50.04 | Olesya Krasnomovets | Russia | 18 February 2006 | Moscow |
| | 24 | 50.04 | Krasnomovets #2 | | 12 March 2006 | Moscow |
| | 25 | 50.07 | Kratochvílová #5 | | 22 February 1981 | Grenoble |
| 11 | | 50.10 | Lieke Klaver | Netherlands | 18 February 2024 | Apeldoorn |
| 12 | | 50.15 | Olga Zaytseva | Russia | 25 January 2006 | Moscow |
| 12 | | 50.15 | Talitha Diggs | United States | 25 February 2023 | Fayetteville |
| 14 | | 50.21 | Vania Stambolova | Bulgaria | 12 March 2006 | Moscow |
| 14 | | 50.21 | Shaunae Miller-Uibo | Bahamas | 13 February 2021 | New York City |
| 16 | | 50.23 | Irina Privalova | Russia | 12 March 1995 | Barcelona |
| 17 | | 50.24 | Alexis Holmes | United States | 2 March 2024 | Glasgow |
| 18 | | 50.28 | Petra Müller | East Germany | 6 March 1988 | Budapest |
| 19 | | 50.33 | Rhasidat Adeleke | Ireland | 25 February 2023 | Lubbock |
| 20 | | 50.34 | Christine Amertil | Bahamas | 12 March 2006 | Moscow |
| 20 | | 50.34 | Kendall Ellis | United States | 10 March 2018 | College Station |
| 22 | | 50.36 | Sydney McLaughlin | United States | 10 March 2018 | College Station |
| 23 | | 50.37 | Natalya Antyukh | Russia | 18 February 2006 | Moscow |
| 24 | | 50.40 | Dagmar Neubauer | East Germany | 2 February 1984 | Vienna |
| 25 | | 50.41 | Svetlana Pospelova | Russia | 5 March 2005 | Madrid |

## Most successful athletes

3 or more 400-metre victories at the Olympic Games and World Championships:
* 6 wins: Michael Johnson (USA) - Olympic Champion in 1996 and 2000, World Champion in 1993, 1995, 1997 and 1999.
* 4 wins: Marie-Jose Perec (FRA) - Olympic Champion in 1992 and 1996, World Champion in 1991 and 1995.
* 3 wins: Cathy Freeman (AUS) - Olympic Champion in 2000, World Champion in 1997 and 1999.
* 3 wins: Jeremy Wariner (USA) - Olympic Champion in 2004, World Champion in 2005 and 2007.
* 3 wins: Christine Ohuruogu (GBR) - Olympic Champion in 2008, World Champion in 2007 and 2013.
* 3 wins: LaShawn Merritt (USA) - Olympic Champion in 2008, World Champion in 2009 and 2013.
* 3 wins: Wayde van Niekerk (RSA) - Olympic Champion in 2016, World Champion in 2015 and 2017.
* 3 wins: Shaunae Miller-Uibo (BAH) - Olympic Champion in 2016 and 2020, World Champion in 2022.
The Olympic champion has frequently won a second gold medal in the 4 × 400 metres relay. This has been accomplished 14 times by men; Charles Reidpath, Ray Barbuti, Bill Carr, George Rhoden, Charles Jenkins, Otis Davis, Mike Larrabee, Lee Evans, Viktor Markin, Alonzo Babers, Steve Lewis, Quincy Watts, Jeremy Wariner and LaShawn Merritt; and 4 times by women; Monika Zehrt, Valerie Brisco-Hooks, Olga Bryzgina and Sanya Richards-Ross. All but Rhoden, Markin, Zehrt and Bryzgina ran on American relay teams. Injured after his double in 1996, Johnson also accomplished the feat in 2000 only to have it disqualified when his teammate Antonio Pettigrew admitted to doping.

## Olympic medalists
### Men

| Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze |

### Women

| Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze |

## World Championships medalists
### Men

| Championships | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| 1983 Helsinki details | Bert Cameron (JAM) | Michael Franks (USA) | Sunder Nix (USA) |
| 1987 Rome details | Thomas Schönlebe (GDR) | Innocent Egbunike (NGA) | Harry Reynolds (USA) |
| 1991 Tokyo details | Antonio Pettigrew (USA) | Roger Black (GBR) | Danny Everett (USA) |
| 1993 Stuttgart details | Michael Johnson (USA) | Butch Reynolds (USA) | Samson Kitur (KEN) |
| 1995 Gothenburg details | Michael Johnson (USA) | Butch Reynolds (USA) | Greg Haughton (JAM) |
| 1997 Athens details | Michael Johnson (USA) | Davis Kamoga (UGA) | Tyree Washington (USA) |
| 1999 Seville details | Michael Johnson (USA) | Sanderlei Parrela (BRA) | Alejandro Cárdenas (MEX) |
| 2001 Edmonton details | Avard Moncur (BAH) | Ingo Schultz (GER) | Greg Haughton (JAM) |
| 2003 Saint-Denis details | Tyree Washington (USA) | Marc Raquil (FRA) | Michael Blackwood (JAM) |
| 2005 Helsinki details | Jeremy Wariner (USA) | Andrew Rock (USA) | Tyler Christopher (CAN) |
| 2007 Osaka details | Jeremy Wariner (USA) | LaShawn Merritt (USA) | Angelo Taylor (USA) |
| 2009 Berlin details | LaShawn Merritt (USA) | Jeremy Wariner (USA) | Renny Quow (TRI) |
| 2011 Daegu details | Kirani James (GRN) | LaShawn Merritt (USA) | Kévin Borlée (BEL) |
| 2013 Moscow details | LaShawn Merritt (USA) | Tony McQuay (USA) | Luguelín Santos (DOM) |
| 2015 Beijing details | Wayde van Niekerk (RSA) | LaShawn Merritt (USA) | Kirani James (GRN) |
| 2017 London details | Wayde van Niekerk (RSA) | Steven Gardiner (BAH) | Abdalelah Haroun (QAT) |
| 2019 Doha details | Steven Gardiner (BAH) | Anthony Zambrano (COL) | Fred Kerley (USA) |
| 2022 Eugene details | Michael Norman (USA) | Kirani James (GRN) | Matthew Hudson-Smith (GBR) |
| 2023 Budapest details | Antonio Watson (JAM) | Matthew Hudson-Smith (GBR) | Quincy Hall (USA) |

#### Medalists by country

| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | United States (USA) | 11 | 8 | 6 | 27 |
| 2 | South Africa (RSA) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 3 | East Germany (GDR) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Bahamas (BAH) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 5 | Jamaica (JAM) | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| 6 | Grenada (GRN) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 7 | Great Britain (GBR) | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 8 | Brazil (BRA) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | France (FRA) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | Germany (GER) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | Nigeria (NGR) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | Uganda (UGA) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 13 | Belgium (BEL) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 13 | Canada (CAN) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 13 | Dominican Republic (DOM) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 13 | Kenya (KEN) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 13 | Mexico (MEX) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 13 | Trinidad and Tobago (TRI) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |

### Women

| Championships | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| 1983 Helsinki details | Jarmila Kratochvílová (TCH) | Taťána Kocembová (TCH) | Mariya Pinigina (URS) |
| 1987 Rome details | Olga Bryzgina (URS) | Petra Muller (GDR) | Kirsten Emmelmann (GDR) |
| 1991 Tokyo details | Marie-José Pérec (FRA) | Grit Breuer (GER) | Sandra Myers (ESP) |
| 1993 Stuttgart details | Jearl Miles (USA) | Natasha Kaiser-Brown (USA) | Sandie Richards (JAM) |
| 1995 Gothenburg details | Marie-José Pérec (FRA) | Pauline Davis (BAH) | Jearl Miles (USA) |
| 1997 Athens details | Cathy Freeman (AUS) | Sandie Richards (JAM) | Jearl Miles Clark (USA) |
| 1999 Seville details | Cathy Freeman (AUS) | Anja Rücker (GER) | Lorraine Graham-Fenton (JAM) |
| 2001 Edmonton details | Amy Mbacké Thiam (SEN) | Lorraine Fenton (JAM) | Ana Guevara (MEX) |
| 2003 Saint-Denis details | Ana Guevara (MEX) | Lorraine Fenton (JAM) | Amy Mbacké Thiam (SEN) |
| 2005 Helsinki details | Tonique Williams-Darling (BAH) | Sanya Richards (USA) | Ana Guevara (MEX) |
| 2007 Osaka details | Christine Ohuruogu (GBR) | Nicola Sanders (GBR) | Novlene Williams (JAM) |
| 2009 Berlin details | Sanya Richards (USA) | Shericka Williams (JAM) | Antonina Krivoshapka (RUS) |
| 2011 Daegu details | Amantle Montsho (BOT) | Allyson Felix (USA) | Francena McCorory (USA)§ |
| 2013 Moscow details | Christine Ohuruogu (GBR) | Amantle Montsho (BOT) | Stephanie McPherson (JAM)$^§$ |
| 2015 Beijing details | Allyson Felix (USA) | Shaunae Miller (BAH) | Shericka Jackson (JAM) |
| 2017 London details | Phyllis Francis (USA) | Salwa Eid Naser (BHR) | Allyson Felix (USA) |
| 2019 Doha details | Salwa Eid Naser (BHR) | Shaunae Miller-Uibo (BAH) | Shericka Jackson (JAM) |
| 2022 Eugene details | Shaunae Miller-Uibo (BAH) | Marileidy Paulino (DOM) | Sada Williams (BAR) |
| 2023 Budapest details | Marileidy Paulino (DOM) | Natalia Kaczmarek (POL) | Sada Williams (BAR) |
§ : awarded following doping disqualification.

#### Medalists by country

| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | United States (USA) | 4 | 3 | 4 | 11 |
| 2 | Great Britain (GBR) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Australia (AUS) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 3 | France (FRA) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 5 | Bahamas (BAH) | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 6 | Dominican Republic (DOM) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 6 | Botswana (BOT) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 6 | Czechoslovakia (TCH) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 6 | Bahrain (BHR) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 10 | Mexico (MEX) | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 11 | Senegal (SEN) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 11 | Soviet Union (URS) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 13 | Jamaica (JAM) | 0 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| 14 | Germany (GER) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 15 | East Germany (GDR) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 16 | Poland (POL) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 17 | Barbados (BAR) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 17 | Russia (RUS) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 13 | Spain (ESP) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |

## World Indoor Championships medalists
### Men

| Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| 1985 Paris | Thomas Schönlebe (GDR) | Todd Bennett (GBR) | Mark Rowe (USA) |
| 1987 Indianapolis details | Antonio McKay (USA) | Roberto Hernández (CUB) | Michael Franks (USA) |
| 1989 Budapest details | Antonio McKay (USA) | Ian Morris (TTO) | Cayetano Cornet (ESP) |
| 1991 Seville details | Devon Morris (JAM) | Samson Kitur (KEN) | Cayetano Cornet (ESP) |
| 1993 Toronto details | Butch Reynolds (USA) | Sunday Bada (NGR) | Darren Clark (AUS) |
| 1995 Barcelona details | Darnell Hall (USA) | Sunday Bada (NGR) | Mikhail Vdovin (RUS) |
| 1997 Paris details | Sunday Bada (NGR) | Jamie Baulch (GBR) | Shunji Karube (JPN) |
| 1999 Maebashi details | Jamie Baulch (GBR) | Milton Campbell (USA) | Alejandro Cárdenas (MEX) |
| 2001 Lisbon details | Daniel Caines (GBR) | Milton Campbell (USA) | Danny McFarlane (JAM) |
| 2003 Birmingham details | Tyree Washington (USA) | Daniel Caines (GBR) | Paul McKee (IRL) Jamie Baulch (GBR) |
| 2004 Budapest details | Alleyne Francique (GRN) | Davian Clarke (JAM) | Gary Kikaya (COD) |
| 2006 Moscow details | Alleyne Francique (GRN) | California Molefe (BOT) | Chris Brown (BAH) |
| 2008 Valencia details | Tyler Christopher (CAN) | Johan Wissman (SWE) | Chris Brown (BAH) |
| 2010 Doha details | Chris Brown (BAH) | William Collazo (CUB) | Jamaal Torrance (USA) |
| 2012 Istanbul details | Nery Brenes (CRC) | Demetrius Pinder (BAH) | Chris Brown (BAH) |
| 2014 Sopot details | Pavel Maslák (CZE) | Chris Brown (BAH) | Kyle Clemons (USA) |
| 2016 Portland details | Pavel Maslák (CZE) | Abdalelah Haroun (QAT) | Deon Lendore (TTO) |
| 2018 Birmingham details | Pavel Maslák (CZE) | Michael Cherry (USA) | Deon Lendore (TTO) |
| 2022 Belgrade details | Jereem Richards (TTO) | Trevor Bassitt (USA) | Carl Bengtström (SWE) |
| 2024 Glasgow details | Alexander Doom (BEL) | Karsten Warholm (NOR) | Rusheen McDonald (JAM) |

### Women

| Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| 1985 Paris | Diane Dixon (USA) | Regine Berg (BEL) | Charmaine Crooks (CAN) |
| 1987 Indianapolis details | Sabine Busch (GDR) | Lillie Leatherwood (USA) | Judit Forgács (HUN) |
| 1989 Budapest details | Helga Arendt (FRG) | Diane Dixon (USA) | Jillian Richardson (TTO) |
| 1991 Seville details | Diane Dixon (USA) | Sandra Myers (ESP) | Anita Protti (SUI) |
| 1993 Toronto details | Sandie Richards (JAM) | Tatyana Alekseyeva (RUS) | Jearl Miles Clark (USA) |
| 1995 Barcelona details | Irina Privalova (RUS) | Sandie Richards (JAM) | Daniela Georgieva (BUL) |
| 1997 Paris details | Jearl Miles Clark (USA) | Sandie Richards (JAM) | Helena Fuchsová (CZE) |
| 1999 Maebashi details | Grit Breuer (GER) | Falilat Ogunkoya (NGR) | Jearl Miles Clark (USA) |
| 2001 Lisbon details | Sandie Richards (JAM) | Olga Kotlyarova (RUS) | Olesya Zykina (RUS) |
| 2003 Birmingham details | Natalya Nazarova (RUS) | Christine Amertil (BAH) | Grit Breuer (GER) |
| 2004 Budapest details | Natalya Nazarova (RUS) | Olesya Forsheva (RUS) | Tonique Williams-Darling (BAH) |
| 2006 Moscow details | Olesya Forsheva (RUS) | Vania Stambolova (BUL) | Christine Amertil (BAH) |
| 2008 Valencia details | Olesya Zykina (RUS) | Natalya Nazarova (RUS) | Shareese Woods (USA) |
| 2010 Doha details | Debbie Dunn (USA) | Vania Stambolova (BUL) | Amantle Montsho (BOT) |
| 2012 Istanbul details | Sanya Richards-Ross (USA) | Aleksandra Fedoriva (RUS) | Natasha Hastings (USA) |
| 2014 Sopot details | Francena McCorory (USA) | Kaliese Spencer (JAM) | Shaunae Miller (BAH) |
| 2016 Portland details | Kemi Adekoya (BHR) | Ashley Spencer (USA) | Quanera Hayes (USA) |
| 2018 Birmingham details | Courtney Okolo (USA) | Shakima Wimbley (USA) | Eilidh Doyle (GBR) |
| 2022 Belgrade details | Shaunae Miller-Uibo (BAH) | Femke Bol (NED) | Stephenie Ann McPherson (JAM) |
| 2024 Glasgow details | Femke Bol (NED) | Lieke Klaver (NED) | Alexis Holmes (USA) |
* $^A$ Known as the World Indoor Games