World’s Fastest 400m Freestyle – Men’s Short Course
World Record: Yannick Agnel, France, 3:32.25, 15 November 2012, French Nationals
World Junior Record: Matthew Sates, South Africa, 3:37.92, 7 October 2021, World Cup
Commonwealth Record: Duncan Scott, Great Britain, 3:34.46, 31 October 2024, World Cup
Top 7 All-time Performers:
- Yannick Agnel (24.28, 26.52, 26.88, 27.05, 26.96, 27.16, 26.95, 26.45) 3:32.25
- Paul Biedermann (25.48, 27.14, 27.01, 27.05, 26.84, 27.13, 26.69, 25.43) 3:32.27
- Danas Rapsys (24.48, 26.73, 27.09, 27.07, 27.23, 27.27, 27.29, 26.04) 3:33.20
- Peter Bernek (24.49, 26.80, 27.22, 27.44, 26.42, 27.18, 27.76, 27.01) 3:34.32
- Kieran Smith (24.11, 26.66, 26.81, 27.03, 27.42, 27.28, 27.61, 27.16) 3:34.48
- Grant Hackett (limited data) 3:34.58
- Park Tae Hwan (24.77, 27.51, 27.48, 27.57, 27.57, 27.00, 26.91, 25.78) 3:34.59
Download the new MySwimSplits App
The chart below compares the World’s fastest 400m Freestyle swimmers. Swimmers and coaches can looks at the individual Splits, Stroke Counts and the first 50m split compared to swimmers 50m PB. All swim data has been collected from our team reviewing race footage where possible.
| Men's 400m Freestyle - Short Course | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yannick Agnel | Paul Biedermann | Danas Rapsys | Peter Bernek | Kieran Smith | Grant Hackett | Park Tae Hwan | |
| Height: | 6 ft 8 in 202cm | 6 ft 4 in 193cm | 6 ft 1 in 186cm | 6 ft 4 in 193cm | 6 ft 5 in 195cm | 6 ft 6 in 197cm | 6 ft 0 in 183cm |
| Weight: | 198Ib 90kg | 205Ib 93kg | 176Ib 80kg | 183Ib 83kg | 212Ib 96kg | 168Ib 76kg | |
| Country: | FRA | GER | LTU | HUN | USA | AUS | KOR |
| DOB: | 1992-06-09 | 1986-08-07 | 1995-05-21 | 1992-04-13 | 2000-05-20 | 1980-05-09 | 1989-09-27 |
| Meet: | 2012 French Short Course Swimming Championships | FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup 2009 | 2019 Euro's Champs cm | 2014 SCM World Champs | 16th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) 2022 | 2002 Telstra Grand Prix | 2016 SCM World Champs |
| 1st 25m Strokes | 8 | 8 | 7 | ||||
| 2nd 25m Strokes | 11 | 13 | 11 | ||||
| 1st 50m Split: | 24.28 | 25.48 | 24.48 | 24.49 | 24.11 | 24.77 | |
| 50m PB: | 22.06 | 23.38 | 22.17 | 24.07 | 22.52 | 23.76 | 22.54 |
| Time off 50m PB: | 2.22 | 2.10 | 2.31 | 0.42 | 1.59 | 2.23 | |
| Percentage of 50m PB: | 110.063% | 108.982% | 110.419% | 101.745% | 107.060% | 109.894% | |
| 3rd 25m Strokes | 13 | 11 | 13 | 11 | |||
| 2nd 50m Split | 26.52 | 27.14 | 26.73 | 26.80 | 26.66 | 27.51 | |
| 4th 25m Strokes | 13 | 12 | 14 | 11 | |||
| Split Time: | 50.80 | 52.62 | 51.21 | 51.29 | 51.07 | 51.35 | 52.28 |
| 5th 25m Strokes | 14 | 11 | 14 | 11 | |||
| 3rd 50m Split | 26.88 | 27.01 | 27.09 | 27.22 | 26.81 | 27.48 | |
| 6th 25m Strokes | 13 | 12 | 14 | 11 | |||
| Split Time: | 1:17.68 | 1:19.63 | 1:18.30 | 1:18.51 | 1:17.88 | 1:19.76 | |
| 7th 25m Strokes | 14 | 12 | 14 | 11 | |||
| 4th 50m Split | 27.05 | 27.05 | 27.07 | 27.44 | 27.03 | 27.57 | |
| 8th 25m Strokes | 14 | 13 | 14 | 11 | |||
| Split Time: | 1:44.73 | 1:46.68 | 1:45.37 | 1:45.95 | 1:44.91 | 1:45.40 | 1:47.33 |
| 9th 25m Strokes | 14 | 13 | 14 | 11 | |||
| 5th 50m Split | 26.96 | 26.84 | 27.23 | 26.42 | 27.42 | 27.57 | |
| 10th 25m Strokes | 14 | 13 | 14 | 11 | |||
| Split Time: | 2:11.69 | 2:13.52 | 2:12.60 | 2:12.37 | 2:12.33 | 2:14.90 | |
| 11th 25m Strokes | 14 | 12 | 15 | 12 | |||
| 6th 50m Split | 27.16 | 27.13 | 27.27 | 27.18 | 27.28 | 27.00 | |
| 12th 25m Strokes | 14 | 13 | 14 | 12 | |||
| Split Time: | 2:38.85 | 2:40.65 | 2:39.87 | 2:39.55 | 2:39.61 | 2:40.25 | 2:41.90 |
| 13th 25m Strokes | 14 | 13 | 15 | 12 | |||
| 7th 50m Split | 26.95 | 26.69 | 27.29 | 27.76 | 27.61 | 26.91 | |
| 14th 25m Strokes | 14 | 13 | 15 | 12 | |||
| Split Time: | 3:05.80 | 3:07.34 | 3:07.16 | 3:07.31 | 3:07.22 | 3:08.81 | |
| 15th 25m Strokes | 15 | 14 | 15 | 12 | |||
| 8th 50m Split | 26.45 | 25.43 | 26.04 | 27.01 | 27.16 | 25.78 | |
| 16th 25m Strokes | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | |||
| Total Time: | 3:32.25 | 3:32.27 | 3:33.20 | 3:34.32 | 3:34.38 | 3:34.58 | 3:34.59 |
Here is Yannick Agnel’s 400m Freestyle World Record swim to view.
Statistical Insights:
- Time Differences:
- The top 7 all-time performers are separated by just 2.34 seconds. This narrow range underscores the intense competitiveness of the event and the elite standards required to be among the fastest.
- Average Time of Top 7 Performers:
- The average time of the top 7 swimmers is approximately 3:33.81, highlighting the benchmark for elite performance in this event.
Note: World’s Fastest 400m Freestyle – Men’s Short Course Update July 2024
Additionally, here are our Top 5 Swim Calculators from our web traffic:
- Swim Pace Calculator – Help you determine your pace, time, and distance based on your goals and performances. Optional settings for MIN/100YDS and MIN/100M
- Swim Split Calculator/Goal Time Calculator – Breaks the swim down to the individual target splits for Meters racing
- Yards Goal Calculator – Breaks the swim down to the individual target splits for Yards racing
- Race Review Calculator – Allows the coach, swimmer or parent to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a race that has been swum.
- Medley Relay Calculator – This Calculator allows coaches to quickly compose the fastest relay team available to them. Enter up to 6 swimmers, enter their personal bests for each event and then hit calculate. The Medley Relay Calculator will then provide you with the fastest relay combination available to you.