World record progression 400 metres individual medley
The first world record in the 400 metres individual medley in long course swimming was recognized by the International Swimming Federation in 1957, followed by the women a year later. In the short course 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
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 4:03.84 | | 10 August 2008 | China |
| 2 | 4:05.18 | | 28 July 2012 | Great Britain |
| 3 | 4:05.90 | | 30 July 2017 | Hungary |
| 4 | 4:06.05 | | 6 August 2016 | Brazil |
| 5 | 4:06.09 | | 26 January 2020 | Japan |
| 6 | 4:06.16 | | 10 August 2008 | China |
| 7 | 4:06.96 | | 7 July 2009 | United States |
| 8 | 4:07.47 | | 24 June 2017 | Hungary |
| 9 | 4:08.86 | | 2 August 2009 | Italy |
| 9 | 4:08.86 | | 28 July 2012 | Great Britain |
| 10 | 4:09.10 | | 4 September 2013 | China |
| 11 | 4:09.22 | | 28 July 2019 | South Korea |
| 12 | 4:09.62 | | 30 July 2017 | Hungary |
| 13 | 4:09.88 | | 1 April 2007 | Australia |
| 14 | 4:10.14 | | 26 April 2013 | Australia |
| 15 | 4:10.18 | | 24 September 2014 | South Korea |
| 16 | 4:10.40 | | 2 August 2009 | Italy |
| 17 | 4:10.41 | | 21 October 2019 | China |
| 18 | 4:10.49 | | 24 September 2014 | South Korea |
| 19 | 4:10.52 | | 2 April 2012 | Japan |
| 20 | 4:10.53 | | 29 June 2009 | Italy |
| 21 | 4:10.68 | | 9 August 2008 | China |
| 22 | 4:10.90 | | 20 May 2017 | Japan |
| 23 | 4:11.04 | | 24 July 2014 | Great Britain |
| 24 | 4:11.11 | | 30 July 2013 | United States |
| 25 | 4:11.27 | | 12 August 2002 | United States |
Women
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 4:26.36 | | 6 August 2016 | Brazil |
| 2 | 4:28.43 | | 28 July 2012 | Great Britain |
| 3 | 4:29.45 | | 10 August 2008 | China |
| 4 | 4:29.89 | | 10 August 2008 | China |
| 5 | 4:30.43 | | 17 October 2009 | China |
| 6 | 4:30.82 | | 3 April 2018 | Japan |
| 7 | 4:30.85 | | 17 October 2009 | China |
| 8 | 4:31.12 | | 29 June 2008 | United States |
| 9 | 4:31.15 | | 6 August 2016 | Brazil |
| 10 | 4:31.21 | | 4 August 2013 | Spain |
| 11 | 4:31.27 | | 28 July 2012 | Great Britain |
| 12 | 4:31.33 | | 16 March 2009 | Great Britain |
| 13 | 4:32.20 | | 8 January 2012 | China |
| 14 | 4:32.52 | | 9 August 2015 | Russia |
| 15 | 4:32.88 | | 30 July 2017 | Hungary |
| 16 | 4:33.01 | | 24 July 2014 | Great Britain |
| 17 | 4:33.50 | | 4 September 2013 | China |
| 18 | 4:33.59 | | 16 September 2000 | Australia |
| 19 | 4:33.86 | | 29 June 2017 | United States |
| 20 | 4:34.17 | | 3 August 2018 | Great Britain |
| 21 | 4:34.34 | | 10 August 2008 | China |
| 22 | 4:34.48 | | 25 June 2012 | United States |
| 23 | 4:34.50 | | 4 August 2013 | Hungary |
| 24 | 4:34.65 | | 30 June 2018 | Italy |
| 25 | 4:34.66 | | 6 August 2016 | Brazil |
