The first world record in the 400 metres individual medley in long course (50 metres) swimming was recognized by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) in 1957, followed by the women a year later. In the short course (25 metres) swimming events the world's governing body recognizes world records since March 3, 1991.
Men
Long course
Short course
Women
Long course
Short course
All-time top 25
Men long course
Correct as of July 2023
Notes
Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 4:10.40: Léon Marchand also swam 4:04.28 (2022), 4:07.80 (2023), 4:09.09 (2022), 4:09.65 (2021), 4:10.09 (2021), 4:10.38 (2022). 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), 4:10.33 (2008). 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), 4:09.42 (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), 4:10.23 (2023), 4:10.32 (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), 4:10.39 (2013). 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), 4:10.33 (2009). 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), 4:10.26 (2012), 4:10.30 (2018). 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), 4:09.71 (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), 4:10.21 (2014), 4:10.22 (2017), 4:10.30 (2019), 4:10.39 (2014). Carson Foster also swam 4:08.14 (2023), 4:08.46 (2021), 4:09.33 (2022), 4:09.60 (2022), 4:09.69 (2023), 4:09.83 (2023). Dávid Verrasztó also swam 4:08.38 (2017), 4:09.57 (2021), 4:09.80 (2021), 4:09.90 (2015), 4:10.01 (2017), 4:10.21 (2017). Ilya Borodin also swam 4:09.12 (2023), 4:09.80 (2023), 4:09.86 (2022), 4:10.02 (2021). Jay Litherland also swam 4:09.31 (2017), 4:09.91 (2021), 4:10.21 (2018), 4:10.28 (2021), 4:10.33 (2021). Thiago Pereira also swam 4:09.48 (2013). Lewis Clareburt also swam 4:09.49 (2021), 4:09.87 (2021). Brendon Smith also swam 4:10.04 (2021), 4:10.15 (2022), 4:10.37 (2023), 4:10.38 (2021). Wang Shun also swam 4:10.13 (2019). Max Litchfield also swam 4:10.20 (2021). Luca Marin also swam 4:10.22 (2008).
Men short course
Correct as of December 2022
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 4:00.34 (2021), 4:00.45 (2022), 4:01.57 (2021). Brendon Smith also swam 4:01.11 (2022). Kosuke Hagino also swam 4:01.17 (2014).