World record progression 400 metres freestyle

!style="width: 1em"|#

!style="width: 3em"|Time

!align="left" style="width: 13em"|Swimmer

!Date

!# of days with record

!align="left" style="width: 18em"|Event

!align="left" style="width: 22em"|Location

!align="left" style="width: 1em"|

|align="center" |5:36.85:36.8

|Taylor, Henry{{flagicon|GBR}} Henry Taylor

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1908|Jul|16}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=7 |day1=16 |year1=1908 |month2=9 |day2=21 | year2=1911 }}

|1908 Summer Olympics

| London, United Kingdom

|?

|align="center" |5:35.85:35.8

|Battersby, Sydney{{flagicon|GBR}} Sydney Battersby

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1911|Sep|21}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=9 |day1=21 |year1=1911 |month2=4 |day2=21 | year2=1912 }}

|Local Meet (Kentish Town)

| London, United Kingdom

| {{cite news|title=General Cables|newspaper=The Age|page=13|date=23 September 1911}}

|align="center" |5:29.05:29.0

|Kenyery, Alajos{{flagicon|HUN|1867}} Alajos Kenyery

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1912|Apr|21}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=9 |day1=21 |year1=1911 |month2=4 |day2=21 | year2=1912 }}

|?

| Magdeburg, Germany

|?

|align="center" |5:28.45:28.4

|Las-Torres, Béla{{flagicon|HUN|1867}} Béla Las-Torres

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1912|Jun|05}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=4 |day1=21 |year1=1912 |month2=6 |day2=5 | year2=1912 }}

|?

| Budapest, Hungary

|?

|align="center" |5:24.45:24.4

|Hodgson, George{{flagicon|CAN}} George Hodgson

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1912|Jul|14}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=6 |day1=5 |year1=1912 |month2=7 |day2=14 | year2=1912 }}

|1912 Summer Olympics

| Stockholm, Sweden

|?

|align="center" |5:21.65:21.6

|Hatfield, Jack{{flagicon|GBR}} Jack Hatfield

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1912|Sep|26}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=9 |day1=26 |year1=1912 |month2=10 |day2=19 | year2=1919 }}

|Local Meet (Shoreditch)

| London, United Kingdom

|{{cite news|title=Other Sports|newspaper=Australian Town and Country Journal|page=13|date=2 October 1912}}

|align="center" |5:14.65:14.6

|Ross, Norman{{flagicon|USA}} Norman Ross

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1919|Oct|09}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=10 |day1=9 |year1=1919 |month2=9 |day2=25 | year2=1921 }}

|?

| Los Angeles, USA

|?

|align="center" |5:14.45:14.4

|Ross, Norman{{flagicon|USA}} Norman Ross

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1921|Sep|25}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=9 |day1=25 |year1=1921 |month2=4 |day2=9 | year2=1922 }}

|?

| Brighton Beach, USA

|{{cite news|title=3 Eight Swimming Records Are Set|newspaper=The New York Times|page=20|date=26 November 1921}}

|align="center" |5:11.85:11.8

|Borg, Arne{{flagicon|SWE}} Arne Borg

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1922|Apr|09}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=4 |day1=9 |year1=1922 |month2=6 |day2=22 | year2=1922 }}

|Local Meet

| Stockholm, Sweden

|{{cite news|title=Swimming|newspaper=Sydney Sportsman|page=10|date=11 April 1922}}

|align="center" |5:06.65:06.6

|Weissmuller, Johnny{{flagicon|USA}} Johnny Weissmuller

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1922|Jun|22}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=6 |day1=22 |year1=1922 |month2=3 |day2=6 | year2=1923 }}

|?

| Honolulu, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:57.04:57.0

|Weissmuller, Johnny{{flagicon|USA}} Johnny Weissmuller

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1923|Mar|06}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=3 |day1=6 |year1=1923 |month2=12 |day2=9 | year2=1924 }}

|?

| New Haven, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:54.74:54.7

|Borg, Arne{{flagicon|SWE}} Arne Borg

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1924|Dec|09}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=12 |day1=9 |year1=1924 |month2=9 |day2=11 | year2=1925 }}

|Local Meet

| Stockholm, Sweden

|{{cite news|title=ARNE BORG BREAKS RECORD OVER 300 AND 400M|newspaper=Cairns Post|page=6|date=16 December 1924}}

|align="center" |4:50.34:50.3

|Borg, Arne{{flagicon|SWE}} Arne Borg

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1925|Sep|11}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=9 |day1=11 |year1=1925 |month2=4 |day2=16 | year2=1931 }}

|Local Meet

| Stockholm, Sweden

|{{cite news|title=SWIMMING'S ARNE BORN ON HIS OWN|newspaper=The News, Hobart, Tasmania|page=2|date=26 September 1925}}

|align="center" |4:47.04:47.0

|Taris, Jean{{flagicon|FRA}} Jean Taris

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1931|Apr|16}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=4 |day1=16 |year1=1931 |month2=8 |day2=14 | year2=1933 }}

|Local Meet

| Paris, France

|{{cite news|title=ARNE BORG'S RECORD BEATEN NEW WORLD'S CHAMPION|newspaper=Singleton Argus|page=1|date=17 April 1931}}

|align="center" |4:46.44:46.4

|Makino, Shozo{{flagicon|JPN}} Shozo Makino

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1933|Aug|14}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=14 |year1=1933 |month2=8 |day2=30 | year2=1934 }}

|?

| Tokyo, Japan

|?

|align="center" |4:38.74:38.7

|Medica, Jack{{flagicon|USA}} Jack Medica

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1934|Aug|30}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=30 |year1=1934 |month2=5 |day2=13 | year2=1941 }}

|?

| Honolulu, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:38.54:38.5

|Smith, Bill{{flagicon|USA}} Bill Smith

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1941|May|13}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=5 |day1=13 |year1=1941 |month2=9 |day2=12 | year2=1947 }}

|?

| Honolulu, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:35.24:35.2

|Jany, Alex{{flagicon|FRA}} Alex Jany

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1947|Sep|12}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=9 |day1=12 |year1=1947 |month2=7 |day2=24 | year2=1949 }}

|1947 European Aquatics Championships

| Monte Carlo, Monaco

|{{cite news|title=Jany Close to Record|newspaper=The Herald|page=29|date=13 September 1947}}

|align="center" |4:34.64:34.6

|Furuhashi, Hironoshin{{flagicon|JPN}} Hironoshin Furuhashi

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1949|Jul|24}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=7 |day1=24 |year1=1949 |month2=8 |day2=18 | year2=1949 }}

|Local Meet

| Tokyo, Japan

|{{cite news|title=JAP SWIMMER'S NEW RECORD|newspaper=Daily Mirror|page=16|date=25 July 1949}}

|align="center" |4:33.34:33.3

|Furuhashi, Hironoshin{{flagicon|JPN}} Hironoshin Furuhashi

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1949|Aug|18}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=18 |year1=1949 |month2=3 |day2=11 | year2=1950 }}

|1949 US National Championships

| Los Angeles, USA

|{{cite web | url=https://ishof.org/honoree/honoree-hironoshin-furuhashi | title=Hironoshin Furuhashi }}

|align="center" |4:33.14:33.1

|Marshall, John{{flagicon|AUS}} John Marshall

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1950|Mar|11}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=3 |day1=11 |year1=1950 |month2=4 |day2=1 | year2=1950 }}

|Intercollegiate Event

| New Haven, USA

|{{cite news|title=JOHN MARSHALL SMASHES MORE SWIMMING RECORDS|newspaper=Border Morning Mail|page=8|date=13 March 1950}}

|align="center" |4:29.54:29.5

|Marshall, John{{flagicon|AUS}} John Marshall

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1950|Apr|01}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=4 |day1=1 |year1=1950 |month2=3 |day2=24 | year2=1951 }}

|46th US National AAU Indoor Championships

| New Haven, USA

|{{cite web | url=https://sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame-member/john-marshall/ | title=John Marshall | Sport Australia Hall of Fame }}

|align="center" |4:26.94:26.9

|Marshall, John{{flagicon|AUS}} John Marshall

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1951|Mar|24}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=3 |day1=24 |year1=1951 |month2=4 |day2=3 | year2=1954 }}

|Sanctioned Time Trial

| New Haven, USA

|{{cite news|title=NEW RECORDS BY MARSHALL|newspaper=The Central Queensland Herald|page=19|date=29 March 1951}}

|align="center" |4:26.74:26.7

|Konno, Ford{{flagicon|USA}} Ford Konno

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1954|Apr|03}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=4 |day1=3 |year1=1954 |month2=10 |day2=27 | year2=1956 }}

|Intercollegiate Event

| New Haven, USA

|{{cite web | title=HickokSports.com Sports Biographies: Konno, Ford H. | url=http://www.hickoksports.com/biograph/konnoford.shtml | access-date=2007-10-08 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120402044102/http://www.hickoksports.com/biograph/konnoford.shtml | archive-date=2012-04-02 }}

|align="center" |4:27.04:27.0

|Rose, Murray{{flagicon|AUS}} Murray Rose

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1956|Oct|27}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=10 |day1=27 |year1=1956 |month2=1 |day2=12 | year2=1957 }}

|Australian Olympic Trials

| Melbourne, Australia

|{{cite web | url=https://collection.australiansportsmuseum.org.au/objects/66197/programme-australian-olympic-swimming-trials-1956 | title=Programme, Australian Olympic Swimming Trials 1956 }}{{cite web | url=https://sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame-member/murray-rose/#:~:text=They%20won%20in%20world%20record,to%20win%20both%20individual%20events | title=Murray Rose | Sport Australia Hall of Fame }}

|align="center" |4:25.94:25.9*

|Rose, Murray{{flagicon|AUS}} Murray Rose

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1957|Jan|12}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=1 |day1=12 |year1=1957 |month2=1 |day2=15 | year2=1958 }}

|NSW Championships

| Sydney, Australia

|{{cite news|title=TWO WORLD RECORDS TO MURRAY ROSE|newspaper=The Canberra Times|page=8|date=14 January 1957}}

|align="center" |4:25.94:25.9

|Konrads, John{{flagicon|AUS}} John Konrads

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1958|Jan|15}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=1 |day1=15 |year1=1958 |month2=1 |day2=12 | year2=1959 }}

|NSW Championships

| Sydney, Australia

|{{cite news|title=Swimmers Smash Four More World Records|newspaper=The Canberra Times|page=20|date=16 January 1958}}

|align="center" |4:21.84:21.8

|Konrads, John{{flagicon|AUS}} John Konrads

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1959|Jan|12}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=1 |day1=12 |year1=1959 |month2=2 |day2=7 | year2=1959 }}

|Australian Swimming Championships

| Melbourne, Australia

|{{cite web | url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1958/03/03/a-worldwide-roundup-of-the-sports-information-of-the-week | title=A worldwide roundup of the sports information of the week }}

|align="center" |4:19.04:19.0

|Konrads, John{{flagicon|AUS}} John Konrads

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1959|Feb|07}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=2 |day1=7 |year1=1959 |month2=7 |day2=26 | year2=1959 }}

|International Swim Meet

| Sydney, Australia

|{{cite news|title=Five World Swimming Times Beaten|newspaper=The Canberra Times|page=12|date=9 February 1959}}

|align="center" |4:16.64:16.6

|Yamanaka, Tsuyoshi{{flagicon|JPN}} Tsuyoshi Yamanaka

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1959|Jul|26}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=7 |day1=26 |year1=1959 |month2=2 |day2=23 | year2=1960 }}

|5th Japan-USA Water Competition

| Osaka, Japan

|{{cite magazine | url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,811220,00.html | title=Sport: Fantastic! | magazine=Time | date=10 August 1959 }}

|align="center" |4:15.94:15.9

|Konrads, John{{flagicon|AUS}} John Konrads

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1960|Feb|23}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=2 |day1=23 |year1=1960 |month2=8 |day2=17 | year2=1962 }}

|Australian Swimming Championships

| Sydney, Australia

|{{cite news|title=Four World Swimming Records Smashed|newspaper=The Canberra Times|page=24|date=24 February 1960}}

|align="center" |4:13.44:13.4

|Rose, Murray{{flagicon|AUS}} Murray Rose

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1962|Aug|17}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=17 |year1=1962 |month2=7 |day2=31 | year2=1964 }}

|International Invitational Meet

| Chicago, USA

|{{cite web | url=https://historicimages.com/products/rse54039 | title=1962 Press Photo Chicago AAU Outdoor Swim Winners Carolyn House and Murray Rose }}

|align="center" |4:12.74:12.7

|Schollander, Don{{flagicon|USA}} Don Schollander

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1964|Jul|31}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=7 |day1=31 |year1=1964 |month2=10 |day2=15 | year2=1964 }}

|USA Summer Nationals

| Los Altos, USA

|{{Cite web |url=http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rainbow/Documents/ad74cff4-ef53-4906-b3a0-4ef381369454/64_sumnats.pdf |title=Results from 1964 US Summer Nationals |access-date=5 April 2007 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930185142/http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rainbow/Documents/ad74cff4-ef53-4906-b3a0-4ef381369454/64_sumnats.pdf |url-status=dead }}

|align="center" |4:12.24:12.2

|Schollander, Don{{flagicon|USA}} Don Schollander

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1964|Oct|15}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=10 |day1=15 |year1=1964 |month2=8 |day2=18 | year2=1966 }}

|1964 Summer Olympics

| Tokyo, Japan

|?

|align="center" |4:11.84:11.8

|Nelson, John{{flagicon|USA}} John Nelson

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1966|Aug|18}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=18 |year1=1966 |month2=8 |day2=18 | year2=1966 }}

|1966 AAU Swimming and Diving Championships

| Lincoln, USA

|{{cite news|title=1966 AAU National Swimming Championship report|newspaper=The Terre Haute Star|page=19|date=19 August 1966}}

|align="center" |4:11.64:11.6

|Schollander, Don{{flagicon|USA}} Don Schollander

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1966|Aug|18}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=18 |year1=1966 |month2=8 |day2=25 | year2=1966 }}

|1966 National Championships

| Lincoln, USA

|{{cite web | url=https://www.usaswimming.org/times/data-hub/record-progressions | title=Record Progressions }}

|align="center" |4:11.14:11.1

|Wiegand, Frank{{flagicon|GDR}} Frank Wiegand

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1966|Aug|25}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=25 |year1=1966 |month2=6 |day2=25 | year2=1967 }}

|1966 European Aquatics Championships

| Utrecht, The Netherlands

|{{cite web | url=https://www.the-sports.org/swimming-european-championships-results-1966-men-epm22947.html | title=European Championships de Swimming 1966 - Results Men }}

|align="center" |4:10.64:10.6

|Spitz, Mark{{flagicon|USA}} Mark Spitz

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1967|Jun|25}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=6 |day1=25 |year1=1967 |month2=7 |day2=2 | year2=1967 }}

|Local Event

| Haywood, USA

|{{cite web | url=https://swimswam.com/dolfin-swim-of-the-week-mark-spitzs-first-world-record-on-this-day-in-1967/ | title=Dolfin Swim of the Week: Mark Spitz's First World Record on This Day in 1967 | date=25 June 2020 }}

|align="center" |4:09.24:10.6

|Mosconi, Alain{{flagicon|FRA}} Alain Mosconi

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1967|Jul|02}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=7 |day1=2 |year1=1967 |month2=7 |day2=4 | year2=1967 }}

|Local Event

| Monte Carlo, Monaco

|{{cite news | url=https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1967/07/04/alain-mosconi-egale-le-record-du-monde-du-400-metres_2629623_1819218.html | title=Alain Mosconi égale le record du monde du 400 mètres | newspaper=Le Monde.fr | date=4 July 1967 }}

|align="center" |4:09.24:09.2

|Mosconi, Alain{{flagicon|FRA}} Alain Mosconi

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1967|Jul|04}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=7 |day1=4 |year1=1967 |month2=7 |day2=7 | year2=1967 }}

|Local Event

| Monte Carlo, Monaco

|{{cite news|title=Another record swim|newspaper=The Canberra Times|page=16|date=7 July 1967}}

|align="center" |4:08.84:08.8

|Spitz, Mark{{flagicon|USA}} Mark Spitz

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1967|Jul|07}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=7 |day1=7 |year1=1967 |month2=8 |day2=28 | year2=1967 }}

|Santa Clara International Invitation Swim Meet

| Santa Clara, USA

|{{cite news|title=3 World Records Set in Coast Swim|newspaper=The New York Times|page=S20|date=8 July 1967}}

|align="center" |4:08.24:08.2

|Charlton, Greg{{flagicon|USA}} Greg Charlton

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1967|Aug|28}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=28 |year1=1967 |month2=6 |day2=23 | year2=1968 }}

|1967 Summer Universiade

| Tokyo, Japan

|{{cite news|title=Record in Swimming|newspaper=The Canberra Times|page=19|date=29 August 1967}}

|align="center" |4:07.74:07.7

|Spitz, Mark{{flagicon|USA}} Mark Spitz

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1968|Jun|23}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=6 |day1=23 |year1=1968 |month2=8 |day2=1 | year2=1968 }}

|16th Annual Swimming Relays

| Haywood, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:06.54:06.5

|Hutton, Ralph{{flagicon|CAN}} Ralph Hutton

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1968|Aug|01}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=1 |year1=1968 |month2=8 |day2=14 | year2=1969 }}

|AAU National Swimming Championships

| Lincoln, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:04.04:04.0

|Fassnacht, Hans-Joachim{{flagicon|FRG}} Hans-Joachim Fassnacht

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1969|Aug|14}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=14 |year1=1969 |month2=8 |day2=20 | year2=1970 }}

|AAU National Swimming Championships

| Louisville, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:02.84:02.8

|Kinsella, John{{flagicon|USA}} John Kinsella

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1970|Aug|20}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=20 |year1=1970 |month2=9 |day2=7 | year2=1970 }}

|AAU National Swimming Championships (elec. 4:02.81)

| Los Angeles, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:02.64:02.6

|Larsson, Gunnar{{flagicon|SWE}} Gunnar Larsson

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1970|Sep|07}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=9 |day1=7 |year1=1970 |month2=8 |day2=25 | year2=1971 }}

|European Swimming Championships

| Barcelona, Spain

|?

|align="center" |4:02.14:02.1

|McBreen, Tom{{flagicon|USA}} Tom McBreen

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|Aug|25}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=25 |year1=1971 |month2=2 |day2=12 | year2=1972 }}

|AAU Nationals (elec. 4:02.08)

| Houston, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:01.74:01.7

|Cooper, Brad{{flagicon|AUS}} Brad Cooper

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1972|Feb|12}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=2 |day1=12 |year1=1972 |month2=8 |day2=4 | year2=1972 }}

|AUS Nationals & Olympic Trials

| Brisbane, Australia

|?

|align="center" |4:00.114:00.11

|Krumpholz, Kurt{{flagicon|USA}} Kurt Krumpholz

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1972|Aug|04}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=4 |year1=1972 |month2=9 |day2=9 | year2=1973 }}

|USA Olympic Trials

| Chicago, USA

|?

|align="center" |3:58.183:58.18

|DeMont, Rick{{flagicon|USA}} Rick DeMont

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1973|Sep|09}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=9 |day1=9 |year1=1973 |month2=8 |day2=22 | year2=1974 }}

|FINA World Championships

| Belgrade, SFR Yugoslavia

|?

|align="center" |3:56.963:56.96

|Shaw, Tim{{flagicon|USA}} Tim Shaw

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1974|Aug|22}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=22 |year1=1974 |month2=8 |day2=22 | year2=1974 }}

|AAU National Swimming Championships

| Concord, USA

|{{cite news|title=3 Swim Marks Set By Shaw, Babashoff|newspaper=The New York Times|page=26|date=23 August 1974}}

|align="center" |3:54.693:54.69

|Shaw, Tim{{flagicon|USA}} Tim Shaw

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1974|Aug|22}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=22 |year1=1974 |month2=6 |day2=19 | year2=1975 }}

|AAU National Swimming Championships

| Concord, USA

|

|align="center" |3:53.953:53.95

|Shaw, Tim{{flagicon|USA}} Tim Shaw

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1975|Jun|19}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=6 |day1=19 |year1=1975 |month2=8 |day2=20 | year2=1975 }}

|USA World Championship Trials

| Long Beach, USA

|?

|align="center" |3:53.313:53.31

|Shaw, Tim{{flagicon|USA}} Tim Shaw

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1975|Aug|20}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=20 |year1=1975 |month2=6 |day2=18 | year2=1976 }}

|AAU National Swimming Championships

| Kansas City, USA

|?

|align="center" |3:53.083:53.08

|Goodell, Brian{{flagicon|USA}} Brian Goodell

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1976|Jun|18}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=6 |day1=18 |year1=1976 |month2=7 |day2=22 | year2=1976 }}

|USA Olympic Trials

| Long Beach, USA

|{{Cite web |url=http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rainbow/Documents/bd767bc4-1cef-48ae-8373-7e8e73e2b1d5/76_otrials.pdf |title=Results from 1976 US Olympic Trials |access-date=5 April 2007 |archive-date=28 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928020156/http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rainbow/Documents/bd767bc4-1cef-48ae-8373-7e8e73e2b1d5/76_otrials.pdf |url-status=dead }}

|align="center" |3:51.933:51.93

|Goodell, Brian{{flagicon|USA}} Brian Goodell

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1976|Jul|22}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=7 |day1=22 |year1=1976 |month2=8 |day2=27 | year2=1977 }}

|1976 Summer Olympics

| Montreal, Canada

|?

|align="center" |3:51.563:51.56

|Goodell, Brian{{flagicon|USA}} Brian Goodell

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1977|Aug|27}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=27 |year1=1977 |month2=4 |day2=6 | year2=1979 }}

|USAvGDR Dual Meet

| West Berlin

|?

|align="center" |3:51.413:51.41

|Salnikov, Vladimir{{flagicon|URS}} Vladimir Salnikov

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1979|Apr|06}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=4 |day1=6 |year1=1979 |month2=8 |day2=19 | year2=1979 }}

|URSvGDR Junior meet

| Potsdam, East Germany

|?

|align="center" |3:51.403:51.40

|Salnikov, Vladimir{{flagicon|URS}} Vladimir Salnikov

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1979|Aug|19}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=19 |year1=1979 |month2=2 |day2=29 | year2=1980 }}

|URSvCAN Duel

| Moscow, Soviet Union

|?

|align="center" |3:51.203:51.20

|Salnikov, Vladimir{{flagicon|URS}} Vladimir Salnikov

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1980|Feb|29}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=2 |day1=29 |year1=1980 |month2=7 |day2=16 | year2=1980 }}

|URS Winter Nationals

| Potsdam, East Germany

|?

|align="center" |3:50.493:50.49

|Szmidt, Peter{{flagicon|CAN}} Peter Szmidt

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1980|Jul|16}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=7 |day1=16 |year1=1980 |month2=3 |day2=12 | year2=1982 }}

|Canadian Nationals & Olympic Trials (Esso Cup)

| Etobicoke, Canada

|{{Cite news |date=August 1980 |title=The Esso Cup 1980 Olympic Trials and Summer Nationals |pages=5 |work=Swim Canada |url=https://discoverarchives.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/swim-canada-august-1980-no-66 }}

|align="center" |3:49.573:49.57

|Salnikov, Vladimir{{flagicon|URS}} Vladimir Salnikov

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1982|Mar|12}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=3 |day1=12 |year1=1982 |month2=7 |day2=14 | year2=1982 }}

|URSvGDR Duel

| Moscow, Soviet Union

|?

|align="center" |3:49.573:49.57

|Salnikov, Vladimir{{flagicon|URS}} Vladimir Salnikov

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1982|Jul|14}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=7 |day1=14 |year1=1982 |month2=2 |day2=19 | year2=1983 }}

|URS Nationals

| Kiev, Soviet Union

|?

|align="center" |3:48.323:48.32

|Salnikov, Vladimir{{flagicon|URS}} Vladimir Salnikov

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1983|Feb|19}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=2 |day1=19 |year1=1983 |month2=6 |day2=27 | year2=1985 }}

|URS Winter Nationals

| Moscow, Soviet Union

|?

|align="center" |3:47.803:47.80

|Gross, Michael{{flagicon|FRG}} Michael Gross

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1985|Jun|27}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=6 |day1=27 |year1=1985 |month2=3 |day2=25 | year2=1988 }}

|FRG Nationals & European Championship Trials

| Wuppertal, West Germany

|?

|align="center" |3:47.383:47.38

|Wojdat, Artur{{flagicon|POL}} Artur Wojdat

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1988|Mar|25}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=3 |day1=25 |year1=1988 |month2=9 |day2=23 | year2=1988 }}

|USA Spring Nationals

| Orlando, USA

|{{Cite web |url=http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rainbow/Documents/8d3701ac-f0be-46f7-b022-2eb07c17deb7/88_springnats.pdf |title=Results from 1988 US Spring Nationals |access-date=5 April 2007 |archive-date=28 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928020441/http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rainbow/Documents/8d3701ac-f0be-46f7-b022-2eb07c17deb7/88_springnats.pdf |url-status=dead }}

|align="center" |3:46.953:46.95

|Dassler, Uwe{{flagicon|GDR}} Uwe Dassler

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1988|Sep|23}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=9 |day1=23 |year1=1988 |month2=4 |day2=3 | year2=1992 }}

|1988 Summer Olympics

| Seoul, South Korea

|?

|align="center" |3:46.473:46.47

|Perkins, Kieren{{flagicon|AUS}} Kieren Perkins

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1992|Apr|03}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=4 |day1=3 |year1=1992 |month2=7 |day2=29 | year2=1992 }}

|Australian Olympic Trials

| Canberra, Australia

|?

|align="center" |3:45.003:45.00

|Sadovyi, Yevgeny File:Olympic flag.svg Yevgeny Sadovyi

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1992|Jul|29}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=7 |day1=29 |year1=1992 |month2=9 |day2=11 | year2=1994 }}

|1992 Summer Olympics

| Barcelona, Spain

|?

|align="center" |3:43.803:43.80

|Perkins, Kieren{{flagicon|AUS}} Kieren Perkins

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1994|Sep|5}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=9 |day1=11 |year1=1994 |month2=8 |day2=22 | year2=1999 }}

|1994 World Championships

| Rome, Italy

|?

|align="center" |3:41.833:41.83

|Thorpe, Ian{{flagicon|AUS}} Ian Thorpe

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1999|Aug|22}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=8 |day1=22 |year1=1999 |month2=5 |day2=13 | year2=2000 }}

|1999 Pan Pacific Championships

| Sydney, Australia

|?

|align="center" |3:41.333:41.33

|Thorpe, Ian{{flagicon|AUS}} Ian Thorpe

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2000|May|13}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=5 |day1=13 |year1=2000 |month2=9 |day2=16 | year2=2000 }}

|Australian Olympic Trials

| Sydney, Australia

| {{cite web|title=2000 Australian Championships - Men's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/0001000D000B000000FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=13 May 2000|access-date=29 March 2025}}

|align="center" |3:40.593:40.59

|Thorpe, Ian{{flagicon|AUS}} Ian Thorpe

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2000|Sep|16}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=9 |day1=16 |year1=2000 |month2=7 |day2=22 | year2=2001 }}

|2000 Summer Olympics

| Sydney, Australia

|{{cite news|last=Whitten|first=Phillip|title=Olympic Day 1 Finals (Complete)|url=http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/1784.asp|publisher=Swimming World Magazine|date=16 September 2000|access-date=23 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927200607/http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/1784.asp|archive-date=27 September 2007}}

|align="center" |3:40.173:40.17

|Thorpe, Ian{{flagicon|AUS}} Ian Thorpe

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2001|Jul|22}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=7 |day1=22 |year1=2001 |month2=7 |day2=30 | year2=2002 }}

|2001 World Championships

| Fukuoka, Japan

| {{cite web |url=http://www.fina.org/fukuoka_SwimmingResultsM400free.html |title=Final Results |accessdate=2023-08-06 |publisher=FINA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041019125416/http://www.fina.org/fukuoka_SwimmingResultsM400free.html |archive-date=19 October 2004 }}

|align="center" |3:40.083:40.08

|Thorpe, Ian{{flagicon|AUS}} Ian Thorpe

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2002|Jul|30}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|month1=7 |day1=30 |year1=2002 |month2=7 |day2=26 | year2=2009 }}

|2002 Commonwealth Games

| Manchester, United Kingdom

|{{cite news|title=Double joy for Thorpe|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/commonwealthgames2002/hi/swimming/newsid_2160000/2160865.stm|newspaper=BBC News|date=30 July 2002|access-date=11 April 2008}}

|align="center" |3:40.073:40.07ss

|Biedermann, Paul{{flagicon|GER}} Paul Biedermann

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2009|Jul|26}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|26 July 2009}}

|2009 World Aquatics Championships

| Rome, Italy

|{{cite web|title=Men's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/0001090B0009000000FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=26 July 2009|access-date=26 July 2009}}

|align="center" |3:39.963:39.96

|Märtens, Lukas{{flagicon|GER}} Lukas Märtens

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2025|April|12}}

|align="center" |{{age in days|12 April 2025}}

|Stockholm Open

| Stockholm, Sweden

|{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Sean |date=2025-04-12 |title=Lukas Märtens Throws Down 3:39.96 WORLD RECORD In 400 Free, Breaking 2009 Super-Suited Mark |url=https://swimswam.com/lukas-martens-throws-down-339-96-world-record-in-400-free-breaking-2009-super-suited-mark/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=SwimSwam |language=en-US}}

!style="width: 1em"|#

!style="width: 3em"|Time

!align="left" style="width: 13em"|Swimmer

!Date

!align="left" style="width: 18em"|Event

!align="left" style="width: 22em"|Location

!align="left" style="width: 1em"|

|align="center" |3:40.463:41.74

|Lamberti, Giorgio{{flagicon|ITA}} Giorgio Lamberti

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1988|Feb|13}}

|German Invitational

| Bonn, West Germany

|?

|align="center" |3:40.463:40.81

|Holmertz, Anders{{flagicon|SWE}} Anders Holmertz

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1990|Feb|4}}

|Paris Open, FINA Swimming World Cup

| Paris, France

|?

|align="center" |3:40.463:40.46

|Loader, Danyon{{flagicon|NZL}} Danyon Loader

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1995|Feb|11}}

|World Cup

| Sheffield, United Kingdom

|?

|align="center" |3:39.823:39.82

|Thorpe, Ian{{flagicon|AUS}} Ian Thorpe

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1998|Sep|25}}

|AUS SC Nationals

| Perth, WA, Australia

|?

|align="center" |3:35.013:35.01

|Hackett, Grant{{flagicon|AUS}} Grant Hackett

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1999|Apr|2}}

|World SC Championships

| Hong Kong

|?

|align="center" |3:34.583:34.58

|Hackett, Grant{{flagicon|AUS}} Grant Hackett

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2002|Jul|18}}

|Grand Prix

| Sydney, Australia

|?

|align="center" |3:34.583:32.77

|Biedermann, Paul{{flagicon|GER}} Paul Biedermann

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2009|Nov|14}}

|World Cup

| Berlin, Germany

|{{cite news|url=http://www.omegatiming.com/swimming/racearchives/2009/Berlin/C73A1_Res1Heat_112_Finals_1_Men_400_Free.pdf|title=World Cup 2009 Berlin Results Men's 400m Freestyle|date=14 November 2009|work=omegatiming.com|access-date=2009-11-14}}

|align="center" |3:32.773:32.25

|Agnel, Yannick{{flagicon|FRA}} Yannick Agnel

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2012|Nov|15}}

|French Nationals

| Angers, France

|{{cite magazine|title=Flash! Yannick Agnel Downs World Record in 400 Free at French Nationals|url=http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/World/32653.asp|magazine=Swimming World Magazine|date=15 November 2012|access-date=15 November 2012}}

!style="width: 1em"|#

!style="width: 3em"|TIME

!align="left" style="width: 13em"|SWIMMER

!DATE

!align="left" style="width: 18em"|EVENT

!align="left" style="width: 22em"|PLACE

!align="left" style="width: 1em"|

|align="center" |6:30.26:30.2

|Bleibtrey, Ethelda{{flagicon|USA}} Ethelda Bleibtrey

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1919|Aug|16}}

|?

| New York City

|?

|align="center" |6:16.66:16.6

|James, Hilda{{flagicon|GBR}} Hilda James

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1921|Jul|29}}

|?

| Leeds, United Kingdom

|?

|align="center" |5:53.25:53.2

|Ederle, Gertrude{{flagicon|USA}} Gertrude Ederle

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1922|Aug|04}}

|?

| Indianapolis, USA

|?

|align="center" |5:51.45:51.4

|Norelius, Martha{{flagicon|USA}} Martha Norelius

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1927|Jan|23}}

|?

| Coral Gables, USA

|?

|align="center" |5:49.65:49.6

|Norelius, Martha{{flagicon|USA}} Martha Norelius

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1928|Jun|30}}

|?

| New York City

|?

|align="center" |5:42.85:42.8

|Norelius, Martha{{flagicon|USA}} Martha Norelius

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1928|Aug|06}}

|Olympic Games

| Amsterdam, The Netherlands

|?

|align="center" |5:39.25:39.2

|Norelius, Martha{{flagicon|USA}} Martha Norelius

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1928|Aug|27}}

|?

| Vienna, Austria

|?

|align="center" |5:31.05:31.0

|Madison, Helene{{flagicon|USA}} Helene Madison

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1931|Feb|03}}

|?

| Seattle, USA

|?

|align="center" |5:28.55:28.5

|Madison, Helene{{flagicon|USA}} Helene Madison

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1932|Aug|13}}

|?

| Los Angeles, USA

|?

|align="center" |5:16.05:16.0

|den Ouden, Willy{{flagicon|NED}} Willy den Ouden

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1934|Jul|12}}

|?

| Rotterdam, The Netherlands

|?

|align="center" |5:14.25:14.2

|Hveger, Ragnhild{{flagicon|DEN}} Ragnhild Hveger

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1937|Feb|10}}

|?

| Copenhagen, Denmark

|?

|align="center" |5:14.05:14.0

|Hveger, Ragnhild{{flagicon|DEN}} Ragnhild Hveger

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1937|Oct|03}}

|?

| Ghent, Belgium

|?

|align="center" |5:12.45:12.4

|Hveger, Ragnhild{{flagicon|DEN}} Ragnhild Hveger

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1937|Nov|14}}

|?

| Magdeburg, Germany

|?

|align="center" |5:11.05:11.0

|Hveger, Ragnhild{{flagicon|DEN}} Ragnhild Hveger

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1937|Dec|12}}

|?

| Copenhagen, Denmark

|?

|align="center" |5:08.25:08.2

|Hveger, Ragnhild{{flagicon|DEN}} Ragnhild Hveger

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1938|Jan|16}}

|?

| Copenhagen, Denmark

|?

|align="center" |5:06.15:06.1

|Hveger, Ragnhild{{flagicon|DEN}} Ragnhild Hveger

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1938|Aug|01}}

|?

| Copenhagen, Denmark

|?

|align="center" |5:05.45:05.4

|Hveger, Ragnhild{{flagicon|DEN}} Ragnhild Hveger

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1940|Sep|08}}

|?

| Svendborg, Denmark

|?

|align="center" |5:00.15:00.1

|Hveger, Ragnhild{{flagicon|DEN}} Ragnhild Hveger

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1940|Sep|15}}

|?

| Copenhagen, Denmark

|?

|align="center" |4:50.84:50.8

|Crapp, Lorraine{{flagicon|AUS}} Lorraine Crapp

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1956|Aug|25}}

|?

| Townsville, Australia

|?

|align="center" |4:47.24:47.2

|Crapp, Lorraine{{flagicon|AUS}} Lorraine Crapp

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1956|Oct|20}}

|?

| Sydney, Australia

|?

|align="center" |4:45.44:45.4

|Konrads, Ilsa{{flagicon|AUS}} Ilsa Konrads

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1960|Jan|09}}

|?

| Sydney, Australia

|?

|align="center" |4:44.54:44.5

|von Saltza, Chris{{flagicon|USA}} Chris von Saltza

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1960|Aug|05}}

|USA Olympic Trials

| Detroit, USA

|{{Cite web |url=http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rainbow/Documents/bfb10832-de81-4dd3-96e8-5c942d99d350/1960.pdf |title=Results from 1960 US Olympic Trials |access-date=5 April 2007 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930201439/http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rainbow/Documents/bfb10832-de81-4dd3-96e8-5c942d99d350/1960.pdf |url-status=dead }}

|align="center" |4:42.04:42.0

|Ramenofsky, Marilyn{{flagicon|USA}} Marilyn Ramenofsky

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1964|Jul|11}}

|?

| Los Altos, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:41.74:41.7

|Ramenofsky, Marilyn{{flagicon|USA}} Marilyn Ramenofsky

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1964|Aug|01}}

|USA Summer Nationals

| Los Altos, USA

|

|align="center" |4:39.54:39.5

|Ramenofsky, Marilyn{{flagicon|USA}} Marilyn Ramenofsky

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1964|Aug|31}}

|?

| New York City

|?

|align="center" |4:39.24:39.2

|Randall, Martha{{flagicon|USA}} Martha Randall

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1965|Aug|14}}

|?

| Maumee, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:38.04:38.0

|Randall, Martha{{flagicon|USA}} Martha Randall

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1965|Aug|26}}

|?

| Monaco, Monaco

|?

|align="center" |4:36.84:36.8

|Kruse, Pam{{flagicon|USA}} Pam Kruse

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1967|Jun|30}}

|?

| Fort Lauderdale, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:36.44:36.4

|Kruse, Pam{{flagicon|USA}} Pam Kruse

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1967|Jul|07}}

|Santa Clara International

| Santa Clara, USA

|

|align="center" |4:32.64:32.6

|Meyer, Debbie{{flagicon|USA}} Debbie Meyer

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1967|Jul|27}}

|Pan American Games

| Winnipeg, Canada

|?

|align="center" |4:29.04:29.0

|Meyer, Debbie{{flagicon|USA}} Debbie Meyer

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1967|Aug|18}}

|USA Nationals

| Philadelphia, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:26.74:26.7

|Meyer, Debbie{{flagicon|USA}} Debbie Meyer

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1968|Aug|01}}

|USA Nationals

| Lincoln, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:24.54:24.5

|Meyer, Debbie{{flagicon|USA}} Debbie Meyer

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1968|Aug|25}}

|USA Olympic Trials (elec. 4:24.55)

| Los Angeles, USA

|{{Cite web |url=http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rainbow/Documents/0378c653-b1b5-45fe-afbc-1a00a57c3f16/1968.pdf |title=Results from 1968 US Olympic Trials |access-date=5 April 2007 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930201541/http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rainbow/Documents/0378c653-b1b5-45fe-afbc-1a00a57c3f16/1968.pdf |url-status=dead }}

|align="center" |4:24.34:24.3

|Meyer, Debbie{{flagicon|USA}} Debbie Meyer

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1970|Aug|20}}

|USA Nationals (elec. 4:24.24)

| Los Angeles, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:22.64:22.6

|Moras, Karen{{flagicon|AUS}} Karen Moras

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|Apr|30}}

|Coca-Cola International

| London, United Kingdom

|?

|align="center" |4:21.24:21.2

|Gould, Shane{{flagicon|AUS}} Shane Gould

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1971|Jul|09}}

|Santa Clara Invitational

| Santa Clara, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:19.044:19.04

|Gould, Shane{{flagicon|AUS}} Shane Gould

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1972|Aug|30}}

|Olympic Games

| Munich, West Germany

|?

|align="center" |4:18.074:18.07

|Rothhammer, Keena{{flagicon|USA}} Keena Rothhammer

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1973|Aug|22}}

|USA Nationals

| Louisville, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:17.334:17.33

|Greenwood, Heather{{flagicon|USA}} Heather Greenwood

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1974|Jun|28}}

|Santa Clara Invitational

| Santa Clara, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:15.774:15.77

|Babashoff, Shirley{{flagicon|USA}} Shirley Babashoff

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1974|Aug|22}}

|USA Nationals

| Concord, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:14.764:14.76

|Babashoff, Shirley{{flagicon|USA}} Shirley Babashoff

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1975|Jun|20}}

|USA World Championships Trials

| Long Beach, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:11.694:11.69

|Krause, Barbara{{flagicon|GDR}} Barbara Krause

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1976|Jun|03}}

|GDR Olympic Trials

| East Berlin, East Germany

|?

|align="center" |4:09.894:09.89

|Thümer, Petra{{flagicon|GDR}} Petra Thümer

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1976|Jul|20}}

|Olympic Games

| Montreal, Canada

|?

|align="center" |4:08.914:08.91

|Thümer, Petra{{flagicon|GDR}} Petra Thümer

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1977|Aug|17}}

|European Championships

| Jönköping, Sweden

|?

|align="center" |4:07.664:07.66

|Linehan, Kim{{flagicon|USA}} Kim Linehan

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1978|Aug|02}}

|USA Summer Nationals

| The Woodlands, USA

|{{Cite web |url=http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rainbow/doc%204/30d77bb4-563e-40d8-b71f-61d1248c3da9/97_sumnats.pdf |title=Results from 1978 US Summer Nationals |access-date=5 April 2007 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184909/http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rainbow/doc%204/30d77bb4-563e-40d8-b71f-61d1248c3da9/97_sumnats.pdf |url-status=dead }}

|align="center" |4:06.284:06.28

|Wickham, Tracey{{flagicon|AUS}} Tracey Wickham

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1978|Aug|24}}

|World Championships

| West Berlin

|?

|align="center" |4:05.454:05.45

|Evans, Janet{{flagicon|USA}} Janet Evans

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1987|Dec|20}}

|US Open

| Orlando, USA

|?

|align="center" |4:03.854:03.85

|Evans, Janet{{flagicon|USA}} Janet Evans

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1988|Sep|22}}

|Olympic Games

| Seoul, South Korea

|?

|align="center" |4:03.034:03.03

|Manaudou, Laure{{flagicon|FRA}} Laure Manaudou

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2006|May|12}}

|French Championships

| Tours, France

|?

|align="center" |4:02.134:02.13

|Manaudou, Laure{{flagicon|FRA}} Laure Manaudou

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2006|Aug|06}}

|European Championships

| Budapest, Hungary

|{{cite news|title=Flash! Manaudou Becomes First 4:02 Woman with World Record in 400 Free|url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/flash-manaudou-becomes-first-402-woman-with-world-record-in-400-free/|date=6 August 2006|access-date=22 April 2025|website=Swimming World}}

|align="center" |4:01.534:01.53

| Pellegrini, Federica {{flagicon|ITA}} Federica Pellegrini

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2008|Mar|24}}

|European Championships

| Eindhoven, Netherlands

|?

|align="center" |4:00.664:00.66

| Jackson, Joanne {{flagicon|GBR}} Joanne Jackson

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2009|Mar|16}}

|British Championships

| Sheffield, United Kingdom

|{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympic_games/7942809.stm | publisher=BBC News | title=Jackson claims new world record | date=16 March 2009}}

|align="center" |4:00.414:00.41

| Pellegrini, Federica {{flagicon|ITA}} Federica Pellegrini

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2009|Jun|27}}

|Mediterranean Games

| Pescara, Italy

|[http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/21514.asp?q=Mediterranean%20Games:%20Flash!%20Federica%20Pellegrini%20Edges%20World%20Record%20in%20400%20Free;%20Ous%20Mellouli%20Doubles%20With%20African%20Record Federica Pellegrini Edges World Record in 400 Free]

|align="center" |3:59.153:59.15

| Pellegrini, Federica {{flagicon|ITA}} Federica Pellegrini

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2009|Jul|26}}

|World Championships

| Rome, Italy

|{{cite web|title=Women's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/0001090B000C000000FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=26 July 2009|access-date=14 July 2024}}

|align="center" |3:58.863:58.86

| Ledecky, Katie {{flagicon|USA}} Katie Ledecky

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2014|Aug|9}}

|USA Championships

| Irvine, United States

|{{cite web|title=2014 US National Championships - Women's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00010E010301001702FFFFFFFFFFFF02.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=9 August 2014|access-date=22 April 2025}}

|align="center" |3:58.373:58.37

| Ledecky, Katie {{flagicon|USA}} Katie Ledecky

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2014|Aug|23}}

|Pan Pacific Championships

| Gold Coast, Australia

|{{cite web | title = 2014 Pan Pacific Championships - Women's 400m Freestyle Final Results| work = Australia Swimming | date = August 23, 2014 | url = http://liveresults.swimming.org.au/sal/2014PP/140821F019.htm | accessdate = October 8, 2014 | archive-date = October 14, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141014234521/http://liveresults.swimming.org.au/sal/2014PP/140821F019.htm | url-status = dead }}

|align="center" |3:56.463:56.46

| Ledecky, Katie {{flagicon|USA}} Katie Ledecky

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2016|Aug|7}}

|Olympic Games

| Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

| {{cite web|url=https://www.rio2016.com/en/swimming-standings-sw-womens-400m-freestyle|title=2016 Olympic Games - Women's 400m Freestyle Final Results|publisher=Rio 2016|accessdate=5 August 2016|archive-date=22 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922173212/https://www.rio2016.com/en/swimming-standings-sw-womens-400m-freestyle|url-status=dead}}

|align="center" |3:56.403:56.40

| Titmus, Ariarne {{flagicon|AUS}} Ariarne Titmus

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2022|May|22}}

|Australian Championships

| Adelaide, Australia

|{{cite web|title=2022 Australian Championships - Women's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://liveresults.swimming.org.au/sal/2022AUS/220518F038.htm|publisher=swimming.org.au|date=22 May 2022|access-date=22 April 2025}}

|align="center" |3:56.083:56.08

| McIntosh, Summer {{flagicon|CAN}} Summer McIntosh

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2023|March|28}}

|Canadian Trials

| Toronto, Canada

|{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/amateur/2023/03/28/torontos-summer-mcintosh-sets-world-record-in-400-metre-freestyle-at-canadian-swimming-trials.html|title=Toronto's Summer McIntosh sets world record in 400-metre freestyle at Canadian swimming trials|last=Gillespie|first=Kerry|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=28 March 2023|access-date=29 March 2023}}

|align="center" |3:55.383:55.38

| Titmus, Ariarne {{flagicon|AUS}} Ariarne Titmus

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|2023|July|23}}

|World Championships

|Fukuoka, Japan

|{{cite web|title=Women's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600010201EF0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=23 July 2023|access-date=23 July 2023}}

!style="width: 1em"|#

!style="width: 3em"|TIME

!align="left" style="width: 13em"|SWIMMER

!DATE

!align="left" style="width: 10em"|# of days with record

!align="left" style="width: 18em"|EVENT

!align="left" style="width: 22em"|PLACE

!align="left" style="width: 1em"|

|align="center" |4:02.594:02.59

|Woodhead, Cynthia{{flagicon|USA}} Cynthia Woodhead

|align="center" |{{dts|format=dmy|1979|Apr

! {{abbr|Ath.#|Athlete rank}}

! {{abbr|Perf.#|Performance rank}}

! Time

! Athlete

! Nation

! Date

! Place

! class="unsortable" | {{refh}}

| align=center | 1

| align=center | 1

| 3:39.96

| Lukas Märtens

| {{GER}}

| 12 April 2025

| Stockholm

|

| align=center | 2

| align=center | 2

| 3:40.07

| Paul Biedermann

| {{GER}}

| 26 July 2009

| Rome

|

| align=center | 3

| align=center | 3

| 3:40.08

| Ian Thorpe

| {{AUS}}

| 30 July 2002

| Manchester

|

| align=center | 4

| align=center | 4

| 3:40.14

| Sun Yang

| {{CHN}}

| 28 July 2012

| London

| {{cite magazine|title=2012 London Olympics: Sun Yang Lowers Asian, Olympic Record; Rattles World Record in 400 Freestyle Victory|url=http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/World/31414.asp?q=2012-London-Olympics:-Sun-Yang-Lowers-Asian,-Olympic-Record;-Rattles-World-Record-in-400-Freestyle-Victory|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203065744/http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/World/31414.asp?q=2012-London-Olympics:-Sun-Yang-Lowers-Asian,-Olympic-Record;-Rattles-World-Record-in-400-Freestyle-Victory|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 February 2013|magazine=Swimming World Magazine|date=28 July 2012|access-date=29 July 2012}}

| align=center | 5

| 3:40.17

|Thorpe #2

| rowspan="5" |

| 22 July 2001

| Fukuoka

|

| 3:40.29

|Sun #2

| 23 September 2011

| Rizhao

|

| 3:40.33

|Märtens #2

| 25 April 2024

| Berlin

| {{cite magazine|title=Lukas Maertens Posts World Leading 3:40.33 400 Freestyle To Open German Championships|url=https://swimswam.com/lukas-maertens-posts-world-leading-340-33-400-freestyle-to-open-german-championships/|magazine=SwimSwam|author=Anya Pelshaw|date=25 April 2024|access-date=25 April 2024}}

| 3:40.54

|Thorpe #3

| 18 March 2002

| Brisbane

| {{cite web|title=2002 Australian Swimming Championships full results|url=https://assets.clubsonline.com.au/assets/console/customitem/attachments/2002AustralianChamps.pdf#page=54|format=PDF|publisher=Swimming Australia|date=March 2002|access-date=13 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425161657/https://assets.clubsonline.com.au/assets/console/customitem/attachments/2002AustralianChamps.pdf#page=54|archive-date=25 April 2012|url-status=dead}}

| 3:40.59

|Thorpe #4

| 16 September 2000

| Sydney

|

| align=center | 5

| align=center | 10

| 3:40.68

| Samuel Short

| {{AUS}}

| 23 July 2023

| Fukuoka

| {{cite web|title=Men's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600010101EF0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=23 July 2023|access-date=23 July 2023}}

| align=center | 6

| align=center | 11

| 3:40.70

| Ahmed Hafnaoui

| {{TUN}}

| 23 July 2023

| Fukuoka

|

| 3:40.76

|Thorpe #5

|

| 24 March 2001

| Hobart

|

| align=center | 7

| align=center | 13

| 3:41.11

| Oussama Mellouli

| {{TUN}}

| 26 July 2009

| Rome

|

| align=center | 8

| align=center | 14

| 3:41.22

| Elijah Winnington

| {{AUS}}

| 18 June 2022

| Budapest

| {{cite web|title=Men's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700000101EF0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=18 June 2022|access-date=13 July 2022}}

| 3:41.33

|Thorpe #6

|

| 13 May 2000

| Sydney

|

| align=center | 9

| align=center | 16

| 3:41.35

| Zhang Lin

| {{CHN}}

| 26 July 2009

| Rome

|

| align=center | 17

| 3:41.38

|Sun #3

| rowspan="3" |

| 23 July 2017

| Budapest

| {{cite web|title=17th FINA World Championships - Men's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/000111010A0101EF04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=23 July 2017|access-date=29 March 2025}}

| 3:41.41

|Winnington #2

| 17 April 2024

| Gold Coast

|

| 3:41.48

|Sun #4

| 5 April 2011

| Wuhan

|

| align=center | 10

| align=center | 20

| 3:41.53

| Park Tae-hwan

| {{KOR}}

| 16 November 2010

| Guangzhou

|

| align=center | 11

| align=center | 21

| 3:41.55

| Mack Horton

| {{AUS}}

| 6 August 2016

| Rio de Janeiro

| {{cite web|title=2016 Olympic Games - Men's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://smsprio2016-a.akamaihd.net/_odf-documents/S/W/SWM014101_Results_2016_08_06.pdf|publisher=Rio 2016|date=6 August 2016|access-date=7 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807150902/https://smsprio2016-a.akamaihd.net/_odf-documents/S/W/SWM014101_Results_2016_08_06.pdf|archive-date=7 August 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

| align=center | 22

| 3:41.59

|Sun #5

| rowspan="4" |

| 28 July 2013

| Barcelona

|

| 3:41.60

|Märtens #3

| 9 April 2022

| Stockholm

| {{cite magazine|title=German Lukas Martens Swims A 3:41.60 400 Free, #8 Performer Of All Time|url=https://swimswam.com/german-lukas-martens-swims-a-341-60-400-free-8-performer-of-all-time/|magazine=SwimSwam|author=Yanyan Li|date=9 April 2022|access-date=9 April 2022}}

| 3:41.64

|Short #2

| 17 April 2024

| Gold Coast

|

| 3:41.65

|Horton #2

| 6 April 2016

| Adelaide

|

| align=center | 12

| rowspan="14" |

| 3:42.42

| Kim Woo-min

| {{KOR}}

| 1 June 2024

| Monte Carlo

| {{cite web|title=2024 Mare Nostrum - Men's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://marenostrumswimtour.com/results_files/resultats_85446_54_400-nl-mes-finale-a.pdf|publisher=marenostrumswimtour.com|date=1 June 2024|access-date=2 June 2024}}

| align=center | 13

| 3:42.51

| Grant Hackett

| {{AUS}}

| 22 July 2001

| Fukuoka

|

| align=center | 14

| 3:42.76

| Guilherme Costa

| {{BRA}}

| 27 July 2024

| Paris

| {{cite web|title=2024 Olympic Games - Men's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://olympics.com/OG2024/pdf/OG2024/SWM/OG2024_SWM_C73A1_SWMM400MFR------------FNL-000100--.pdf|publisher=olympics.com|date=27 July 2024|access-date=28 July 2024}}

| align=center | 15

| 3:42.78

| Larsen Jensen

| {{USA}}

| 10 August 2008

| Beijing

|

| align=center | 16

| 3:42.81

| Oliver Klemet

| {{GER}}

| 19 April 2024

| Magdeburg

| {{cite magazine|title=Märtens Throws Down 3:41.98 400 Free, Klemet 3:42.81 At Magdeburg Gothaer & Friends Meet|url=https://swimswam.com/martens-throws-down-341-98-400-free-klemet-342-81-at-magdeburg-gothaer-friends-meet/|magazine=SwimSwam|author=Sean Griffin|date=19 April 2024|access-date=21 April 2024}}

| align=center | 17

| 3:43.11

| Peter Vanderkaay

| {{USA}}

| 10 August 2008

| Beijing

|

| align=center | 18

| 3:43.23

| Gabriele Detti

| {{ITA}}

| 19 July 2019

| Gwangju

| {{cite web|title=18th FINA World Championships - Men's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011301070101EF04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=23 July 2023|access-date=23 July 2023}}

| align=center | 19

| 3:43.24

| Felix Auböck

| {{AUT}}

| 23 June 2024

| Belgrade

| {{cite web|title=2024 European Championships - Men's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011800040101EF0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=23 June 2024|access-date=23 June 2024}}

| align=center | 20

| 3:43.27

| Jack McLoughlin

| {{AUS}}

| 12 June 2021

| Adelaide

| {{cite news|title=Elijah Winnington Moves to #9 All-Time With 3:42.65 400 Free At Aussie Trials|url=https://swimswam.com/elijah-winnington-moves-to-9-all-time-with-342-65-400-free-at-aussie-trials/|website=swimswam.com|author=Robert Gibbs|date=12 June 2021|access-date=30 June 2021}}

| align=center | 21

| 3:43.36

| Danas Rapsys

| {{LTU}}

| 12 May 2019

| Budapest

| {{cite web|title=FINA Champions Series - Men's 400m Freestyle Results|url=http://www.omegatiming.com/File/Download?id=000113010F0101EF04FFFFFFFFFFFF01|publisher=omegatiming.com|date=12 May 2019|access-date=12 May 2019}}

| align=center | 22

| 3:43.40

| Massimiliano Rosolino

| {{ITA}}

| 16 September 2000

| Sydney

|

| align=center | 23

| 3:43.42

| Conor Dwyer

| {{USA}}

| 6 August 2016

| Rio de Janeiro

| {{cite web|title=2016 Olympic Games - Men's 400m Freestyle Heats Results|url=https://smsprio2016-a.akamaihd.net/_odf-documents/S/W/SWM014900_ResultsSummary_2016_08_06.pdf|publisher=Rio 2016|date=6 August 2016|access-date=7 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807150900/https://smsprio2016-a.akamaihd.net/_odf-documents/S/W/SWM014900_ResultsSummary_2016_08_06.pdf|archive-date=7 August 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

| align=center | 24

| 3:43.45

| Nikita Lobintsev

| {{RUS}}

| 9 August 2008

| Beijing

|

| align=center | 25

| 3:43.46

| Ryan Cochrane

| {{CAN}}

| 24 July 2014

| Glasgow

|

! {{abbr|Ath.#|Athlete rank}}

! {{abbr|Perf.#|Performance rank}}

! Time

! Athlete

! Nation

! Date

! Place

! class="unsortable" | {{refh}}

| align=center | 1

| align=center | 1

| 3:32.25

| Yannick Agnel

| {{FRA}}

| 15 November 2012

| Angers

|

| align=center | 2

| align=center | 2

| 3:32.77

| Paul Biedermann

| {{GER}}

| 14 November 2009

| Berlin

|

| align=center | 3

| align=center | 3

| 3:33.20

| Danas Rapšys

| {{LTU}}

| 4 December 2019

| Glasgow

|

| align=center | 4

| 3:34.01

|Rapšys #2

|

| 11 December 2018

| Hangzhou

|

| align=center | 4

| align=center | 5

| 3:34.32

| Péter Bernek

| {{HUN}}

| 5 December 2014

| Doha

|

| align=center | 5

| align=center | 6

| 3:34.38

| Kieran Smith

| {{USA}}

| 15 December 2022

| Melbourne

| {{cite web|title=Men's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700030101EF0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=15 December 2022|access-date=18 December 2022}}

| align=center | 6

| align=center | 7

| 3:34.46

| Duncan Scott

| {{GBR2}}

| 31 October 2024

| Singapore

| {{cite web|title=Men's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011800070101EF0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=31 October 2024|access-date=12 November 2024}}

| align=center | 8

| 3:34.55

|Biedermann #2

|

| 10 December 2009

| Istanbul

|

| align=center | 7

| align=center | 9

| 3:34.58

| Grant Hackett

| {{AUS}}

| 18 July 2002

| Sydney

|

| align=center | 8

| align=center | 10

| 3:34.59

| Park Tae-hwan

| {{KOR}}

| 6 December 2016

| Windsor

|

| align=center | 9

| align=center | 11

| 3:34.63

| Ian Thorpe

| {{AUS}}

| 21 January 2003

| Stockholm

|

| align=center | 10

| align=center | 12

| 3:34.66

| Zhang Lin

| {{CHN}}

| 22 February 2009

| Tokyo

| {{cite web|title=Men's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=http://swim.seiko.co.jp/2008/S70702/ranking/22R094.pdf|publisher=swim.seiko.co.jp|date=22 February 2009|access-date=27 December 2021}}

| align=center | 11

| align=center | 13

| 3:34.81

| Peter Vanderkaay

| {{USA}}

| 22 February 2009

| Tokyo

|

| 3:35.01

|Hackett #2

|

| 2 April 1999

| Hong Kong

|

| align=center | 12

| align=center | 15

| 3:35.05

| Thomas Neill

| {{AUS}}

| 15 December 2022

| Melbourne

|

| align=center | 13

| align=center | 16

| 3:35.30

| Aleksandr Krasnykh

| {{RUS}}

| 13 December 2017

| Herning

|

| 3:35.46

|Bernek #2

|

| 2 December 2015

| Netanya

|

| align=center | 14

| align=center | 18

| 3:35.47

| Daniel Wiffen

| {{IRL}}

| 5 December 2023

| Otopeni

| {{cite web|title=Men's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600090101EF0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=5 December 2023|access-date=6 December 2023}}

| align=center | 19

| 3:35.49

|Rapšys #3

| rowspan="3" |

| 1 November 2020

| Budapest

|

| 3:35.51

|Krasnykh #2

| 13 December 2017

| Copenhagen

|

| 3:35.64

|Thorpe #2

| 2 April 1999

| Hong Kong

|

| align=center | 15

| align=center | 22

| 3:35.67

| Luke Hobson

| {{USA}}

| 26 August 2022

| Sydney

| {{cite magazine|title=LUKE HOBSON RIPS 3:35.67 400 FREE TO SCARE AMERICAN RECORD (US@AUSTRALIAN CHAMPS)|url=https://swimswam.com/luke-hobson-rips-335-67-400-free-to-scare-american-record-usaustralian-champs/|magazine=SwimSwam|author=Sophie Kaufman|date=26 August 2022|access-date=19 September 2022}}

| 3:35.75

|Thorpe #3

|

| 17 January 2000

| Sydney

|

| align=center | 16

| align=center | 23

| 3:35.75

| Nikita Lobintsev

| {{RUS}}

| 10 December 2009

| Istanbul

|

| align=center | 17

| align=center | 25

| 3:35.89

| Elijah Winnington

| {{AUS}}

| 12 December 2024

| Budapest

| {{cite web|title=Men's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011800080101EF0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=12 December 2024|access-date=28 December 2024}}

| align=center | 18

| rowspan="8" align=center |

| 3:35.90

| Felix Auböck

| {{AUT}}

| 16 December 2021

| Abu Dhabi

| {{cite web|title=Men's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011500190101EF0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=16 December 2021|access-date=16 December 2021}}

| align=center | 19

| 3:36.30

| Matthew Sates

| {{RSA}}

| 21 October 2022

| Berlin

| {{cite web|title=Men's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700070101EF0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=21 October 2022|access-date=22 October 2022}}

| align=center | 20

| 3:36.31

| Carson Foster

| {{USA}}

| 12 December 2024

| Budapest

|

| align=center | 21

| 3:36.35

| James Guy

| {{GBR2}}

| 5 December 2014

| Doha

|

| align=center | 22

| 3:36.43

| Pan Zhanle

| {{CHN}}

| 24 October 2024

| Incheon

| {{cite web|title=Men's 400m Freestyle Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011800060101EF0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=24 October 2024|access-date=26 October 2024}}

| align=center | 23

| 3:36.56

| Tom Dean

| {{GBR2}}

| 21 November 2020

| Budapest

|

| align=center | 24

| 3:36.63

| Gabriele Detti

| {{ITA}}

| 7 April 2019

| Riccione

|

| align=center | 25

| 3:36.64

| Henrik Christiansen

| {{NOR}}

| 11 December 2018

| Hangzhou

|

! {{abbr|Ath.#|Athlete rank}}

! {{abbr|Perf.#|Performance rank}}

! Time

! Athlete

! Nation

! Date

! Place

! class="unsortable" | {{refh}}

| align=center | 1

| align=center | 1

| 3:55.38

| Ariarne Titmus

| {{AUS}}

| 23 July 2023

| Fukuoka

|

| align=center | 2

| 3:55.44

|Titmus #2

|

| 10 June 2024

| Brisbane

|

| align=center | 2

| align=center | 3

| 3:56.08

| Summer McIntosh

| {{CAN}}

| 28 March 2023

| Toronto

|

| 3:56.40

| Titmus #3

|

| 22 May 2022

| Adelaide

|

| align=center | 3

| align=center | 5

| 3:56.46

| Katie Ledecky

| {{USA}}

| 7 August 2016

| Rio de Janeiro

|

| align=center | 6

| 3:56.69

| Titmus #4

| rowspan="20" |

| 26 July 2021

| Tokyo

| {{Cite web|url=https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/resOG2020-/pdf/OG2020-/SWM/OG2020-_SWM_C73A1_SWMW400MFR------------FNL-000100--.pdf |title=2020 Olympic Games - Women's 400m Freestyle Final Results|access-date=30 July 2021|archive-date=2 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802224126/https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/resOG2020-/pdf/OG2020-/SWM/OG2020-_SWM_C73A1_SWMW400MFR------------FNL-000100--.pdf |url-status=dead }}

| 3:56.90

| Titmus #5

| 13 June 2021

| Adelaide

|

| 3:57.36

| Ledecky #2

| 26 July 2021

| Tokyo

|

| 3:57.49

| Titmus #6

| 27 July 2024

| Paris

| {{cite web|title=Women's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/results/swimming/women-s-400m-freestyle/fnl-000100--|publisher=olympics.com|date=27 July 2024|access-date=29 July 2024}}

| 3:57.94

| Ledecky #3

| 27 May 2018

| Indianapolis

|

| 3:58.06

| Titmus #7

| 3 August 2022

| Birmingham

|

| 3:58.15

| Ledecky #4

| 18 June 2022

| Budapest

|

| 3:58.34

| Ledecky #5

| 23 July 2017

| Budapest

|

| 3:58.35

| Ledecky #6

| 15 June 2024

| Indianapolis

| {{cite web|title=2024 US Olympic Trials - Women's 400m Freestyle Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011800030201EF0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=15 June 2024|access-date=17 June 2024}}

| rowspan="2" | 3:58.37

| Ledecky #7

| 23 August 2014

| Gold Coast

|

| 27 July 2024

| Paris

|

| 3:58.44

| Ledecky #8

| 30 June 2017

| Indianapolis

|

| 3:58.47

| Titmus #8

| 13 June 2023

| Melbourne

|

| 3:58.50

| Ledecky #9

| 11 August 2018

| Tokyo

|

| 3:58.71

| Ledecky #10

| 7 August 2016

| Rio de Janeiro

| {{cite web|title=2016 Olympic Games - Women's 400m Freestyle Heats Results|url=https://smsprio2016-a.akamaihd.net/_odf-documents/S/W/SWW014900_ResultsSummary_2016_08_07.pdf|publisher=Rio 2016|accessdate=7 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808054410/https://smsprio2016-a.akamaihd.net/_odf-documents/S/W/SWW014900_ResultsSummary_2016_08_07.pdf|archive-date=8 August 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

| 3:58.73

| Ledecky #11

| 23 July 2023

| Fukuoka

|

| 3:58.76

| Titmus #9

| 21 July 2019

| Gwangju

| {{cite web|title=18th FINA World Championships - Women's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011301070201EF04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=21 July 2019|access-date=22 April 2025}}

| 3:58.84

| Ledecky #12

| 13 May 2023

| Atlanta

|

| 3:58.86

| Ledecky #13

| 9 August 2014

| Irvine

|

| 3:58.98

| Ledecky #14

| 27 June 2016

| Omaha

| {{cite web|title=2016 US Olympic Trials - Women's 400m Freestyle Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/000110000301001702FFFFFFFFFFFF02.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=27 June 2016|access-date=22 April 2025}}

| align=center | 4

| rowspan="23" align=center |

| 3:59.15

| Federica Pellegrini

| {{ITA}}

| 26 July 2009

| Rome

|

| align=center | 5

| 3:59.44

| Erika Fairweather

| {{NZL}}

| 11 February 2024

| Doha

| {{cite web|title=Women's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011800000201EF0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=11 February 2024|access-date=11 February 2024}}

| align=center | 6

| 4:00.60

| Joanne Jackson

| {{GBR2}}

| 26 July 2009

| Rome

|

| align=center | 7

| 4:00.65

| Leah Smith

| {{USA}}

| 27 June 2016

| Omaha

|

| align=center | 8

| 4:00.79

| Rebecca Adlington

| {{GBR2}}

| 26 July 2009

| Rome

|

| rowspan="2" align=center|9

| rowspan="2" align=left|4:01.08

| rowspan="2" align=left|Li Bingjie

| rowspan="2" align=left |{{CHN}}

| 26 July 2021

| Tokyo

|

| 3 May 2023

| Hangzhou

| {{cite magazine|title=Li Bingjie Ties Asian Record In 400 Free, Fei Liwei Scores 14:46.59 1500 Free|url=https://swimswam.com/li-bingjie-ties-asian-record-in-400free-fei-liwei-scores-1446591500free/|magazine=SwimSwam|author=Retta Race|date=3 May 2023|access-date=8 May 2023}}

| align=center | 10

| 4:01.13

| Camille Muffat

| {{FRA}}

| 18 March 2012

| Dunkirk

| {{cite magazine|title=French Olympic Trials: Camille Muffat Blasts 400 Free Textile Best, French Record|url=http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/french-olympic-trials-camille-muffat-blasts-400-free-textile-best-french-record/|magazine=Swimming World Magazine|date=19 March 2012|access-date=20 March 2012}}

| align=center | 11

| 4:01.23

| Jazmin Carlin

| {{GBR2}}

| 7 August 2016

| Rio de Janeiro

|

| align=center | 12

| 4:01.31

| Ajna Késely

| {{HUN}}

| 21 July 2019

| Gwangju

|

| align=center | 13

| 4:01.75

| Lani Pallister

| {{AUS}}

| 19 April 2024

| Gold Coast

|

| align=center | 14

| 4:01.77

| Allison Schmitt

| {{USA}}

| 29 July 2012

| London

|

| align=center | 15

| 4:01.95

| Tang Muhan

| {{CHN}}

| 20 September 2021

| Xi'an

|

| align=center | 16

| 4:02.08

| Paige Madden

| {{USA}}

| 15 June 2024

| Indianapolis

|

| align=center | 17

| 4:02.13

| Laure Manaudou

| {{FRA}}

| 31 July 2006

| Budapest

|

| align=center | 18

| 4:02.14

| Isabel Gose

| {{GER}}

| 27 July 2024

| Paris

|

| align=center | 19

| 4:02.20

| Katie Hoff

| {{USA}}

| 16 February 2008

| Columbia

|

| align=center | 20

| 4:02.35

| Chen Qian

| {{CHN}}

| 17 October 2009

| Jinan

| {{cite news|url=http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/22379.asp |title=Chinese National Games: Liu Zige Scares World Record in 100 Fly|publisher=SwimmingWorldMagazine | date=2009-10-18 | accessdate=2010-04-23}}

| align=center | 21

| 4:02.37

| Boglárka Kapás

| {{HUN}}

| 7 August 2016

| Rio de Janeiro

|

| align=center | 22

| 4:02.47

| Melani Costa

| {{ESP}}

| 28 July 2013

| Barcelona

|

| align=center | 23

| 4:02.86

| Maria Fernanda Costa

| {{BRA}}

| 11 February 2024

| Doha

|

| rowspan="2" align=center | 24

| rowspan="2" | 4:03.02

| Sharon van Rouwendaal

| {{NED}}

| 2 August 2015

| Kazan

|

| Wang Jianjiahe

| {{CHN}}

| 31 December 2020

| Shijiazhuang

|

! {{abbr|Ath.#|Athlete rank}}

! {{abbr|Perf.#|Performance rank}}

! Time

! Athlete

! Nation

! Date

! Place

! class="unsortable" | {{refh}}

| align=center | 1

| align=center | 1

| 3:50.25

| Summer McIntosh

| {{CAN}}

| 10 December 2024

| Budapest

|

| align=center | 2

| align=center | 2

| 3:51.30

| Li Bingjie

| {{CHN}}

| 27 October 2022

| Beijing

|

| align=center | 3

| 3:52.80

|McIntosh #2

|

| 28 October 2022

| Toronto

| {{cite web|title=Women's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700080201EF0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=28 October 2022|access-date=30 October 2022}}

| align=center | 3

| align=center | 4

| 3:52.88

| Katie Ledecky

| {{USA}}

| 28 October 2022

| Toronto

|

| align=center | 4

| align=center | 5

| 3:53.73

| Lani Pallister

| {{AUS}}

| 10 December 2024

| Budapest

|

| align=center | 5

| align=center | 6

| 3:53.92

| Ariarne Titmus

| {{AUS}}

| 14 December 2018

| Hangzhou

|

| align=center | 6

| align=center | 7

| 3:53.97

| Wang Jianjiahe

| {{CHN}}

| 4 October 2018

| Budapest

|

| align=center | 8

| 3:54.04

|Ledecky #2

| rowspan="2" |

| 3 November 2022

| Indianapolis

|

| 3:54.06

|Ledecky #3

| 6 October 2019

| Indianapolis

|

| align=center | 7

| align=center | 10

| 3:54.52

| Mireia Belmonte

| {{ESP}}

| 11 August 2013

| Berlin

|

| align=center | 11

| 3:54.56

|Wang #2

| rowspan="3" |

| 14 December 2018

| Hangzhou

|

| 3:54.58

|Titmus #2

| 27 October 2020

| Brisbane

|

| 3:54.63

|Wang #3

| 28 September 2018

| Eindhoven

|

| align=center | 8

| align=center | 14

| 3:54.85

| Camille Muffat

| {{FRA}}

| 24 November 2012

| Chartres

|

| align=center | 9

| align=center | 15

| 3:54.88

| Mary-Sophie Harvey

| {{CAN}}

| 10 December 2024

| Budapest

|

| align=center | 10

| align=center | 16

| 3:54.92

| Joanne Jackson

| {{GBR2}}

| 8 August 2009

| Leeds

|

| align=center | 17

| 3:54.93

|Muffat #2

| rowspan="2" |

| 21 October 2012

| Berlin

|

| 3:55.04

|Pallister #2

| 13 December 2022

| Melbourne

| {{cite web|title=Women's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700030201EF0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=13 December 2022|access-date=18 December 2022}}

| align=center | 11

| align=center | 19

| 3:55.12

| Paige Madden

| {{USA}}

| 10 December 2024

| Budapest

|

| align=center | 12

| align=center | 20

| 3:55.16

| Lauren Boyle

| {{NZL}}

| 8 August 2013

| Eindhoven

|

| align=center | 21

| 3:55.31

|Boyle #2

| rowspan="4" |

| 11 August 2013

| Berlin

|

| 3:55.36

|Belmonte #2

| 13 December 2014

| Barcelona

|

| 3:55.76

|Belmonte #3

| 5 December 2014

| Doha

|

| 3:55.83

|Li #2

| 19 December 2021

| Abu Dhabi

|

| align=center | 13

| align=center | 25

| 3:55.89

| Allison Schmitt

| {{USA}}

| 18 December 2009

| Manchester

|

| align=center | 14

| rowspan="12" |

| 3:56.00

| Erika Fairweather

| {{NZL}}

| 13 December 2022

| Melbourne

|

| align=center | 15

| 3:56.09

| Laure Manaudou

| {{FRA}}

| 9 December 2006

| Helsinki

|

| align=center | 16

| 3:56.12

| Claire Weinstein

| {{USA}}

| 10 December 2024

| Budapest

|

| align=center | 17

| 3:56.24

| Coralie Balmy

| {{FRA}}

| 16 November 2008

| Berlin

|

| align=center | 18

| 3:56.52

| Siobhán Haughey

| {{HKG}}

| 21 October 2022

| Berlin

| {{cite web|title=Women's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700070201EF0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=21 October 2022|access-date=22 October 2022}}

| rowspan="2" align=center | 19

| rowspan="2" | 3:56.84

| Melani Costa

| {{ESP}}

| 8 August 2013

| Eindhoven

|

| Isabel Gose

| {{GER}}

| 10 December 2024

| Budapest

|

| align=center | 21

| 3:57.07

| Katie Hoff

| {{USA}}

| 17 December 2010

| Dubai

|

| align=center | 22

| 3:57.45

| Holly Hibbott

| {{GBR2}}

| 21 December 2019

| Las Vegas

|

| align=center | 23

| 3:57.59

| Federica Pellegrini

| {{ITA}}

| 6 March 2011

| Ostia

|

| align=center | 24

| 3:57.61

| Katie Grimes

| {{USA}}

| 31 October 2024

| Singapore

| {{cite web|title=Women's 400m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011800070201EF0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=31 October 2024|access-date=12 November 2024}}

| align=center | 25

| 3:57.76

| Sharon van Rouwendaal

| {{NED}}

| 5 December 2014

| Doha

|