World record progression 400 metres individual medley explained

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

Men

Short course

Time	Swimmer	Nationality	Date	Location
4:08.77			29 February 1992	Palma de Mallorca, Spain
4:07.10			9 February 1993	Malmö, Sweden
4:06.03			20 January 1996	Lappeenranta, Finland
4:05.59			1 February 1997	Gelsenkirchen, Germany
4:05.41			8 February 1997	Paris, France
4:04.24			24 September 1998	Perth, Australia
4:02.72			23 February 2003	Victoria, Canada
4:00.37			9 December 2005	Trieste, Italy
3:59.33			14 December 2007	Debrecen, Hungary
3:57.27			11 December 2009	Istanbul, Turkey
3:55.50			16 December 2010	Dubai, United Arab Emirates
3:54.81			20 December 2019	Las Vegas, United States

Women

Short course

All-time top 25

Men long course

• Correct as of July 2024^[1]

Pos	Time	Swimmer	Date	Venue	Ref
1	4:02.50		23 July 2023	Fukuoka	^[2]
2	4:03.84		10 August 2008	Beijing	^[3]
3	4:05.18		28 July 2012		^[4]
4	4:05.90		30 July 2017	Budapest	^[5]
5	4:06.05		6 August 2016	Rio de Janeiro	^[6]
6	4:06.09		25 January 2020	Tokyo
7	4:06.16		10 August 2008	Beijing	^[7]
8	4:06.56		18 June 2022	Budapest
			23 July 2023	Fukuoka	^[8]
9	4:06.96		7 July 2009		^[9]
10	4:07.47		24 June 2017		^[10]
11	4:08.05		25 July 2022		^[11]
12	4:08.62		28 July 2024		^[12]
13	4:08.70		30 July 2022		^[13]
14	4:08.85		28 July 2024	Paris	^[14]
15	4:08.86		2 August 2009	Rome
			28 July 2012	London
16	4:09.10		4 September 2013	Shenyang	^[15]
17	4:09.18		7 April 2022	Sheffield	^[16]
18	4:09.22		28 July 2019	Gwangju
19	4:09.27		24 July 2021	Tokyo
20	4:09.29		30 November 2023	Riccione	^[17]
21	4:09.55		29 June 2023	Indianapolis	^[18]
22	4:09.88		1 April 2007	Melbourne	^[19]
23	4:09.98		30 November 2023	Tokyo	^[20]
24	4:10.14		3 May 2013	Adelaide	^[21]
25	4:10.18		24 September 2014	Incheon	^[22]

Notes

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

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

Men short course

• Correct as of December 2023^[23]

Pos	Time	Swimmer	Date	Venue	Ref
1	3:54.81		20 December 2019	Las Vegas
2	3:55.50		16 December 2010	Dubai
3	3:56.47		20 December 2021	Abu Dhabi	^[24]
4	3:56.48		13 January 2014	Tokyo	^[25]
5	3:57.01		10 December 2023	Otopeni	^[26]
6	3:57.27		11 December 2009	Istanbul
7	3:57.40		16 December 2010	Dubai
8	3:57.56		16 December 2010	Dubai
9	3:57.63		17 December 2022	Melbourne	^[27]
10	3:57.91		28 November 2015	Sydney
11	3:59.21		17 December 2022	Melbourne	^[28]
12	3:59.23		9 November 2013	Tokyo
13	3:59.33		30 September 2021	Naples	^[29]
14	3:59.47		14 December 2017	Copenhagen
15	3:59.81		20 December 2019	Las Vegas
16	3:59.90		10 August 2013	Berlin
17	3:59.99		17 November 2018	Singapore
18	4:00.10		11 December 2009	Istanbul
19	4:00.18		16 December 2018	Sheffield
20	4:00.55		11 December 2009	Istanbul
21	4:00.63		17 November 2007	Berlin
22	4:00.89		16 October 2021	Tokyo	^[30]
23	4:01.44		25 August 2022	Sydney	^[31]
24	4:01.49		22 December 2011	Berlin
25	4:01.63		11 December 2009	Istanbul

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 4:01.63:

• Daiya Seto also swam 3:55.53 (2019), 3:55.75 (2022), 3:56.26 (2021), 3:56.33 (2014), 3:56.43 (2018), 3:57.25 (2018), 3:57.66 (2017), 3:57.85 (2021), 3:58.20 (2017), 3:58.65 (2021), 3:58.84 (2013), 3:59.01 (2021), 3:59.15 (2012), 3:59.20 (2014), 3:59.24 (2016), 4:00.35 (2022), 4:00.49 (2021), 4:00.84 (2021).
• Carson Foster also swam 3:57.99 (2021), 4:01.34 (2022).
• Thomas Fraser-Holmes also swam 3:58.69 (2014).
• Ilya Borodin also swam 3:58.83 (2021), 3:59.57 (2021).
• László Cseh also swam 3:59.33 (2007), 4:00.37 (2005).
• Alberto Razzetti also swam 3:59.57 (2021), 4:00.34 (2021), 4:00.45 (2022), 4:01.57 (2021).
• Duncan Scott also swam 4:00.17 (2023).
• Brendon Smith also swam 4:01.11 (2022).
• Kosuke Hagino also swam 4:01.17 (2014).

Women long course

• Correct as of July 2024^[32]

Pos	Time	Swimmer	Date	Venue	Ref
1	4:24.38		16 May 2024		^[33]
2	4:26.36		6 August 2016	Rio de Janeiro
3	4:28.22		18 April 2024		^[34]
4	4:28.43		28 July 2012
5	4:29.45		10 August 2008	Beijing
6	4:29.89		10 August 2008	Beijing
7	4:30.43		17 October 2009
8	4:30.82		8 April 2018	Tokyo
9	4:30.85		17 October 2009
10	4:31.12		29 June 2008	Omaha
11	4:31.15		6 August 2016	Rio de Janeiro
12	4:31.21		4 August 2013
13	4:31.27		28 July 2012	London
14	4:31.33		20 March 2009	Sheffield
15	4:31.41		30 July 2023	Fukuoka	^[35]
16	4:32.30		30 July 2023	Fukuoka	^[36]
17	4:32.52		9 August 2015	Kazan
18	4:32.53		6 March 2020	Des Moines
19	4:32.76		25 July 2021	Tokyo
20	4:32.88		30 July 2017	Budapest
21	4:33.01		24 July 2014	Glasgow
22	4:33.50		4 September 2013	Shenyang
23	4:33.59		16 September 2000	Sydney
24	4:33.86		29 June 2017	Indianapolis
25	4:33.96		13 June 2021	Omaha

Notes

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

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

Women short course

• Correct as of December 2022^[37]

Pos	Time	Swimmer	Date	Venue	Ref
1	4:18.94		12 August 2017	Eindhoven
2	4:19.46		2 December 2015	Netanya
3	4:21.04		18 December 2009	Manchester
4	4:21.49		29 October 2022	Toronto	^[38]
5	4:22.73		10 November 2018	Tokyo
6	4:22.88		22 November 2009	Singapore
7	4:23.14		12 December 2012	Istanbul
8	4:23.33		12 December 2012	Istanbul
9	4:23.68		15 November 2020	Budapest
10	4:24.15		20 December 2019	Las Vegas
11	4:24.31		18 December 2009	Manchester	^[39]
12	4:24.62		16 December 2011	Atlanta
13	4:25.37		15 December 2013	Herning
14	4:25.50		22 November 2020	Budapest
15	4:25.55		16 December 2021	Abu Dhabi	^[40]
16	4:25.56		3 December 2014	Doha
17	4:25.61		25 November 2012	Chartres
18	4:25.65		15 November 2020	Budapest
19	4:26.06		14 December 2008	Rijeka
			12 August 2017	Eindhoven
21	4:26.31		5 September 2021	Naples
22	4:26.41		23 November 2019	London
23	4:26.42		16 December 2016	Toronto
24	4:26.52		9 April 2008	Manchester
			16 December 2021	Abu Dhabi

Notes

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

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

External links

• Zwemkroniek
• Agenda Diana

Notes and References

1. Web site: Men's 400m Individual Medley Long Course All-Time Ranking. Api.fina.org. 18 October 2021. 19 October 2021.
2. Web site: Men's 400m IM Final Results. Omega Timing. 23 July 2023. 24 July 2023.
3. Web site: Men's 400m IM Final Results. Omega Timing. 18 June 2022. 1 July 2022.
4. Web site: London 2012 400m individual medley men Results - Olympic swimming. Olympic.org.
5. Web site: 17th FINA World Championships Budapest (HUN). Omegatiming.com. 30 June 2022.
6. Web site: Rio 2016 400m individual medley men Results - Olympic swimming. Olympic.org.
7. Web site: Beijing 2008 400m individual medley men Results - Olympic swimming. Olympic.org.
8. Web site: Men's 400m IM Final Results. Omega Timing. 23 July 2023. 24 July 2023.
9. Web site: 13th FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. Omegatiming.com. 30 June 2022.
10. 2017 SETTE COLLI: VERRASZTO & SETO CRUSH 4:07 400 IM IN THRILLING DUEL. SwimSwam. Retta Race. 24 June 2017. 4 July 2023.
11. ILYA BORODIN BLASTS 4:08.05 400 IM FOR NEW RUSSIAN NATIONAL RECORD. SwimSwam. Retta Race. 25 July 2022. 18 September 2022.
12. Web site: Men's 400m IM Final Results. olympics.com. 28 July 2024. 29 July 2024.
13. Web site: Men's 400m IM Final Results. Microplus Informatica. 30 July 2022. 12 August 2022.
14. Web site: Men's 400m IM Final Results. olympics.com. 28 July 2024. 29 July 2024.
15. Web site: Wang Shun Bio. Swimswam.com.
16. Web site: Men's 400m IM Final Results. Swimming.org. 7 April 2022. 7 April 2022.
17. Web site: Men's 400m IM Final Results. microplustiming.com. 30 November 2023. 30 November 2023.
18. Web site: Men's 400m IM Results. Omega Timing. 29 June 2023. 1 July 2023.
19. Web site: 12th FINA World Championships Melbourne 2007. Omegatiming.com. 30 June 2022.
20. Tomoru Honda Registers 4:09.98 Lifetime Best In 400 IM At Japan Open. SwimSwam. Retta Race. 30 November 2023. 30 November 2023.
21. Web site: Commonwealth Record for Fraser-Holmes, Two Men Under 15:00 in Mile in Adelaide. https://web.archive.org/web/20131105173541/http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/World/34299.asp?q=Commonwealth-Record-for-Fraser-Holmes,-Two-Men-Under-15:00-in-Mile-in-Adelaide. 2013-11-05. 3 May 2013.
22. Web site: 2014 Asian Games Day 4 Finals, Real Time Recaps: Can Hagino Muster Energy for 6th Medal, or Will Seto Reign?. Swimswam.com. 24 September 2014.
23. Web site: Men's 400m Individual Medley Short Course All-Time Ranking. Api.fina.org. 18 October 2021. 19 October 2021.
24. Web site: Men's 400m IM Final Results. Omegatiming.com. 20 December 2021. 20 December 2021.
25. Web site: Men's 400m IM Results. Result.swim.or.jp. 13 January 2014. 27 December 2021.
26. Web site: Men's 400m IM Final Results. Omega Timing. 10 December 2023. 11 December 2023.
27. Web site: Men's 400m IM Final Results. Omega Timing. 17 December 2022. 21 December 2022.
28. Web site: Men's 400m IM Final Results. Omega Timing. 17 December 2022. 21 December 2022.
29. Web site: Men's 400m IM Results. Omegatiming.com. 30 September 2021. 8 October 2021.
30. Web site: Men's 400m IM Final Results. Seiko.co.jp. 27 December 2021.
31. DAVID JOHNSTON FOLLOWS AMERICAN RECORD WITH 4:02.84 400 IM. SwimSwam. Sophie Kaufman. 25 August 2022. 9 September 2022.
32. Web site: Women's 400m Individual Medley Long Course All-Time Ranking. Api.fina.org. 18 October 2021. 19 October 2021.
33. Web site: Women's 400m IM Final Results. swimming.ca. 16 May 2023. 16 May 2023.
34. Web site: Women's 400m IM Final Results. swimming.org.au. 18 April 2024. 18 April 2024.
35. Web site: Women's 400m IM Final Results. Omega Timing. 30 July 2023. 30 July 2023.
36. Web site: Women's 400m IM Final Results. Omega Timing. 30 July 2023. 30 July 2023.
37. Web site: Women's 400m Individual Medley Short Course All-Time Ranking. Api.fina.org. 15 November 2021. 15 November 2021.
38. Web site: Women's 400 IM Results. Omega Timing. 29 October 2022. 30 October 2022.
39. Duel in the Pool: Flash! Five World Records On Day One. Swimming World. 18 December 2009. 19 October 2022.
40. Web site: Women's 400m IM Final Results. Omegatiming.com. 16 December 2021. 17 December 2021.