World record progression 1500 metres freestyle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The first world record in the men's 1500 metres freestyle in a long course (50 metres) swimming pool was recognised by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) in 1908.[1] In short course (25 metres) pools, the world's governing body recognizes world records since March 3, 1991.
Men
Long course
| # | Time | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22:48.4 | Henry Taylor |  Great Britain |
25 July 1908 | Olympic Games | London, United Kingdom | [2] | |
| 2 | 22:00.0 | George Hodgson |  Canada |
10 July 1912 | Olympic Games | Stockholm, Sweden | ||
| 3 | 21:35.3 | Arne Borg |  Sweden |
8 July 1923 | - | Gothenburg, Sweden | ||
| 4 | 21:15.0 | Arne Borg | Sweden |
30 January 1924 | - | Sydney, Australia | ||
| 5 | 21:11.4 | Arne Borg | Sweden |
13 July 1924 | - | Paris, France | ||
| 6 | 20:06.6 | Boy Charlton |  Australia |
15 July 1924 | Olympic Games | Paris, France | ||
| 7 | 20:04.4 | Arne Borg | Sweden |
18 August 1926 | - | Budapest, Hungary | ||
| 8 | 19:07.2 | Arne Borg | Sweden |
2 September 1927 | European Championships | Bologna, Italy | ||
| 9 | 18:58.8 | Tomikatsu Amano |  Japan |
10 August 1938 | - | Tokyo, Japan | ||
| 10 | 18:35.7 | Shiro Hashizume | Japan |
16 August 1949 | - | Los Angeles, United States | ||
| 11 | 18:19.0 | Hironoshin Furuhashi | Japan |
16 August 1949 | - | Los Angeles, United States | ||
| 12 | 18:05.9 | George Breen |  United States |
3 May 1956 | - | New Haven, United States | ||
| 13 | 17:59.5 | Murray Rose | Australia |
30 October 1956 | - | Melbourne, Australia | ||
| 14 | 17:52.9 | George Breen |  United States |
5 December 1956 | - | Melbourne, Australia | ||
| 15 | 17:28.7 | John Konrads | Australia |
22 February 1958 | - | Melbourne, Australia | ||
| 16 | 17:11.0 | John Konrads | Australia |
27 February 1960 | - | Sydney, Australia | ||
| 17 | 17:05.5 | Roy Saari | United States |
17 August 1963 | - | Tokyo, Japan | ||
| 18 | 17:01.8 | Murray Rose | Australia |
2 August 1964 | - | Los Altos, United States | ||
| 19 | 16:58.7 | Roy Saari | United States |
2 September 1964 | - | New York City, United States | ||
| 20 | 16:58.6 | Stephen Krause | United States |
15 August 1965 | - | Maumee, United States | ||
| 21 | 16:41.6 | Mike Burton | United States |
21 August 1966 | - | Lincoln, United States | ||
| 22 | 16:34.1 | Mike Burton | United States |
13 August 1967 | US National Championships | Oak Park, United States | ||
| 23 | 16:28.1 | Guillermo Echevarria |  Mexico |
7 July 1968 | Santa Clara Invitational | Santa Clara, United States | ||
| 24 | 16:08.6 | Mike Burton | United States |
3 September 1968 | US Olympic Trials | Long Beach, United States | ||
| 25 | 16:04.5 | Mike Burton | United States |
17 August 1969 | US National Championships | Louisville, United States | ||
| 26 | 15:57.10 | John Kinsella | United States |
23 August 1970 | US National Championships | Los Angeles, United States | ||
| 27 | 15:52.91 | Rick DeMont | United States |
6 August 1972 | US Olympic Trials | Chicago, United States | ||
| 28 | 15:52.58 | Mike Burton | United States |
4 September 1972 | Olympic Games | Munich, West Germany | ||
| 29 | 15:37.80 | Stephen Holland | Australia |
5 August 1973 | Pre World Championship meet | Brisbane, Australia | ||
| 30 | 15:31.85 | Stephen Holland | Australia |
8 September 1973 | World Championships | Belgrade, Yugoslavia | ||
| 31 | 15:31.75 | Tim Shaw | United States |
25 August 1974 | US National Championships | Concord, United States | ||
| 32 | 15:27.79 | Stephen Holland | Australia |
25 January 1975 | New Zealand Games | Christchurch, New Zealand | ||
| 33 | 15:20.91 | Tim Shaw | United States |
21 June 1975 | US World Championship Trials | Long Beach, United States | ||
| 34 | 15:10.89 | Stephen Holland | Australia |
27 February 1976 | Australian Championships | Sydney, Australia | ||
| 35 | 15:06.66 | Brian Goodell | United States |
21 June 1976 | US Olympic Trials | Long Beach, United States | ||
| 36 | 15:02.40 | Brian Goodell | United States |
20 July 1976 | Olympic Games | Montreal, Canada | ||
| 37 | 14:58.27 | Vladimir Salnikov |  Soviet Union |
22 July 1980 | Olympic Games | Moscow, Soviet Union | ||
| 38 | 14:56.35 | Vladimir Salnikov | Soviet Union |
13 March 1982 | Soviet Union vs East Germany Dual Meet | Moscow, Soviet Union | ||
| 39 | 14:54.76 | Vladimir Salnikov | Soviet Union |
22 February 1983 | Soviet Union Winter Championships | Moscow, Soviet Union | ||
| - | 14:53.59 | [A] | Glen Housman | Australia |
13 December 1989 | Australian Trials | Adelaide, Australia | [3] |
| 40 | 14:50.36 | Jörg Hoffmann |  Germany |
13 January 1991 | World Championships | Perth, Australia | ||
| 41 | 14:48.40 | Kieren Perkins | Australia |
5 April 1992 | Australian Championships | Canberra, Australia | ||
| 42 | 14:43.48 | Kieren Perkins | Australia |
31 July 1992 | Olympic Games | Barcelona, Spain | ||
| 43 | 14:41.66 | Kieren Perkins | Australia |
24 August 1994 | Commonwealth Games | Victoria, Canada | [4] | |
| 44 | 14:34.56 | Grant Hackett | Australia |
29 July 2001 | World Championships | Fukuoka, Japan | [4] | |
| 45 | 14:34.14 | Sun Yang |  China |
31 July 2011 | World Championships | Shanghai, China | [5] | |
| 46 | 14:31.02 | Sun Yang | China |
4 August 2012 | Olympic Games | London, United Kingdom | [6] | |
| 47 | 14:30.67 | Bobby Finke | United States |
4 August 2024 | Olympic Games | Paris, France | [7] |
Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by FINA;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; † – en route to final mark; so – swim-off; tt – time trial
Records not set in finals: h – heat;
Short course
| # | Time | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14:32.40 | Kieren Perkins | Australia |
2 February 1992 | Swimming Australia Grand Prix | Canberra, Australia | ||
| 2 | 14:26.52 | Kieren Perkins | Australia |
14 July 1993 | - | Auckland, New Zealand | ||
| 3 | 14:19.55 | Grant Hackett | Australia |
27 September 1998 | Australian Championships | Perth, Australia | [8] | |
| 4 | 14:10.10 | Grant Hackett | Australia |
7 August 2001 | Australian Championships | Perth, Australia | [8] | |
| 5 | 14:08.06 | Gregorio Paltrinieri |  Italy |
4 December 2015 | European Championships | Netanya, Israel | [9] | |
| 6 | 14:06.88 | Florian Wellbrock | Germany |
21 December 2021 | World Championships | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | [10] |
Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by FINA;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; † – en route to final mark; so – swim-off; tt – time trial
Records not set in finals: h – heat;
Women
Long course
| # | Time | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25:06.6 | Helen Wainwright | United States |
19 August 1922 | - | New York City, United States | ||
| 2 | 24:07.6 | Ethel McGary | United States |
31 December 1925 | - | Coral Gables, United States | ||
| 3 | 24:00.2 | Edith Mayne | Great Britain |
15 September 1926 | - | Exmouth, United Kingdom | ||
| 4 | 23:44.6 | Martha Norelius | United States |
28 July 1927 | - | Massapequa, United States | ||
| 5 | 23:17.2 | Helene Madison | United States |
15 July 1931 | - | New York City, United States | ||
| 6 | 22:36.7 | Grete Frederiksen |  Denmark |
26 June 1936 | - | Copenhagen, Denmark | ||
| 7 | 21:45.7 | Ragnhild Hveger | Denmark |
3 July 1938 | - | Helsinki, Finland | ||
| 8 | 21:10.1 | Ragnhild Hveger | Denmark |
11 August 1940 | - | Helsinki, Finland | ||
| 9 | 20:57.0 | Ragnhild Hveger | Denmark |
20 August 1941 | - | Copenhagen, Denmark | ||
| 10 | 20:46.5 | Lenie de Nijs |  Netherlands |
23 July 1955 | - | Utrecht, Netherlands | ||
| 11 | 20:22.8 | Jans Koster | Netherlands |
21 August 1956 | - | Utrecht, Netherlands | ||
| 12 | 20:03.1 | Jans Koster | Netherlands |
27 July 1957 | - | Hilversum, Netherlands | ||
| 13 | 19:25.7 | Ilsa Konrads | Australia |
13 January 1960 | - | Sydney, Australia | ||
| 14 | 19:23.6 | Jane Cederqvist | Sweden |
8 September 1960 | - | Uppsala, Sweden | ||
| 15 | 19:02.8 | Margareta Rylander | Sweden |
27 June 1961 | - | Uppsala, Sweden | ||
| 16 | 18:44.0 | Carolyn House | United States |
16 August 1962 | - | Chicago, United States | ||
| 17 | 18:30.5 | Patty Caretto | United States |
30 July 1964 | - | Los Altos, United States | ||
| 18 | 18:23.7 | Patty Caretto | United States |
12 August 1965 | - | Los Altos, United States | ||
| 19 | 18:12.9 | Patty Caretto | United States |
21 August 1966 | - | Lincoln, United States | ||
| 20 | 18:11.1 | Debbie Meyer | United States |
9 July 1967 | Santa Clara Invitational | Santa Clara, United States | ||
| 21 | 17:50.2 | Debbie Meyer | United States |
20 August 1967 | AAU Nationals | Philadelphia, United States | ||
| 22 | 17:31.2 | Debbie Meyer | United States |
21 August 1968 | - | Los Angeles, United States | ||
| 23 | 17:19.9 | Debbie Meyer | United States |
17 August 1969 | AAU Nationals | Louisville, United States | ||
| 24 | 17:19.20 | Cathy Calhoun | United States |
28 August 1971 | AAU Nationals | Houston, United States | ||
| 25 | 17:00.6 | Shane Gould | Australia |
12 December 1971 | - | Sydney, Australia | ||
| 26 | 16:56.9 | Shane Gould | Australia |
11 February 1973 | Australian Championships | Adelaide, Australia | ||
| 27 | 16:54.14 | Jo Harshbarger | United States |
25 August 1973 | USA World Championship Trials | Louisville, United States | ||
| 28 | 16:49.9 | Jennifer Turrall | Australia |
9 December 1973 | Top-level meet | Sydney, Australia | ||
| 29 | 16:48.2 | Jennifer Turrall | Australia |
9 January 1974 | NSW State Championships | Sydney, Australia | ||
| 30 | 16:43.4 | Jennifer Turrall | Australia |
13 July 1974 | - | Sydney, Australia | ||
| 31 | 16:39.28 | Jennifer Turrall | Australia |
3 August 1974 | Los Angeles Invitational | Los Angeles, United States | ||
| 32 | 16:33.94 | Jennifer Turrall | Australia |
25 August 1974 | AAU Nationals | Concord, United States | ||
| 33 | 16:24.60 | Alice Browne | United States |
21 August 1977 | AAU Nationals | Mission Viejo, United States | ||
| 34 | 16:14.93 | Tracey Wickham | Australia |
8 February 1978 | Invitational | Brisbane, Australia | ||
| 35 | 16:06.63 | Tracey Wickham | Australia |
25 February 1979 | Australian Championships | Perth, Australia | ||
| 36 | 16:04.49 | Kim Linehan | United States |
19 August 1979 | AAU Nationals | Fort Lauderdale, United States | ||
| 37 | 16:00.73 | Janet Evans | United States |
31 July 1987 | USA Nationals & Pan Pacific Trials | Orlando, United States | ||
| 38 | 15:52.10 | Janet Evans | United States |
26 March 1988 | USA Spring Nationals | Orlando, United States | ||
| 39 | 15:42.54 | Kate Ziegler | United States |
17 June 2007 | TYR Meet of Champions | Mission Viejo, United States | [11] | |
| 40 | 15:36.53 | Katie Ledecky | United States |
30 July 2013 | World Championships | Barcelona, Spain | [12] | |
| 41 | 15:34.23 | Katie Ledecky | United States |
19 June 2014 | Woodlands Senior Invitational Meet | Shenandoah, United States | [13] | |
| 42 | 15:28.36 | Katie Ledecky | United States |
24 August 2014 | Pan Pacific Championships | Gold Coast, Australia | [14] | |
| 43 | 15:27.71 | h | Katie Ledecky | United States |
3 August 2015 | World Championships | Kazan, Russia | [15] |
| 44 | 15:25.48 | Katie Ledecky | United States |
4 August 2015 | World Championships | Kazan, Russia | [16] | |
| 45 | 15:20.48 | Katie Ledecky | United States |
16 May 2018 | TYR Pro Swim Series | Indianapolis, United States | [17] |
Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by FINA;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; † – en route to final mark; so – swim-off; tt – time trial
Records not set in finals: h – heat;
Short course
| # | Time | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15:43.31 | Petra Schneider |  East Germany |
Jan 10, 1982 | - | Gainesville, United States | [18] | |
| 2 | 15:42.39 | Laure Manaudou |  France |
Nov 20, 2004 | Regional meet | La Roche-sur-Yon, France | [18] | |
| 3 | 15:32.90 | Kate Ziegler | United States |
Oct 12, 2007 | Alex Athletics Jubiläums Challenge | Essen, Germany | [19] | |
| 4 | 15:28.65 | Lotte Friis | Denmark |
Nov 29, 2009 | Local Club Meet | Copenhagen, Denmark | [20] | |
| 5 | 15:26.95 | Mireia Belmonte |  Spain |
Nov 29, 2013 | Spanish Championships | Castelló de la Plana, Spain | [21] | |
| 6 | 15:22.68 | Lauren Boyle |  New Zealand |
Aug 9, 2014 | Wellington Winter Championships | Wellington, New Zealand | [22] | |
| 7 | 15:19.71 | Mireia Belmonte | Spain |
Dec 12, 2014 | Spanish Championships | Sabadell, Spain | [23] | |
| 8 | 15:18.01 | Sarah Köhler | Germany |
Nov 16, 2019 | German Championships | Berlin, Germany | [24] | |
| 9 | 15:08.24 | Katie Ledecky | United States |
Oct 29, 2022 | FINA World Cup | Toronto, Canada | [25] |
Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by FINA;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; † – en route to final mark; so – swim-off; tt – time trial
Records not set in finals: h – heat;
All-time top 25
| Tables show data for two definitions of "Top 25" - the top 25 1500 m freestyle times and the top 25 athletes: |
| - denotes top performance for athletes in the top 25 1500 m freestyle times |
| - denotes lesser performances, still in the top 25 1500 m freestyle times, by repeat athletes |
| - denotes top performance (only) for other top 25 athletes who fall outside the top 25 1500 m freestyle times |
Men long course
- Correct as of April 2026[26]
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 14:30.67 | Bobby Finke |  United States |
4 August 2024 | Paris | [7] |
| 2 | 2 | 14:31.02 | Sun Yang | China |
4 August 2012 | London | [6] |
| 3 | 3 | 14:31.54 | Ahmed Hafnaoui |  Tunisia |
30 July 2023 | Fukuoka | [27] |
| 4 | 14:31.59 | Finke #2 | 30 July 2023 | Fukuoka | [27] | ||
| 4 | 5 | 14:32.80 | Gregorio Paltrinieri | Italy |
25 June 2022 | Budapest | [28] |
| 6 | 14:33.10 | Paltrinieri #2 | 13 August 2020 | Rome | [29] | ||
| 7 | 14:34.04 | Paltrinieri #3 | 18 May 2016 | London | [30] | ||
| 5 | 8 | 14:34.07 | Daniel Wiffen |  Ireland |
18 February 2024 | Doha | [31] |
| 9 | 14:34.14 | Sun #2 | 31 July 2011 | Shanghai | [5] | ||
| 6 | 10 | 14:34.41 | Ahmed Jaouadi | Tunisia |
3 August 2025 | Singapore | [32] |
| 11 | 14:34.55 | Paltrinieri #4 | 4 August 2024 | Paris | [7] | ||
| 7 | 12 | 14:34.56 | Grant Hackett | Australia |
29 July 2001 | Fukuoka | [4] |
| 13 | 14:34.57 | Paltrinieri #5 | 13 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro | [33] | ||
| 8 | 14 | 14:34.89 | Florian Wellbrock | Germany |
21 April 2023 | Berlin | [34] |
| 15 | 14:34.91 | Wiffen #2 | 14 April 2023 | Stockholm | [35] | ||
| 16 | 14:35.43 | Sun #3 | 18 November 2010 | Guangzhou | [36] | ||
| 9 | 17 | 14:35.69 | Sven Schwarz | Germany |
3 August 2025 | Singapore | [32] |
| 18 | 14:35.79 | Wiffen #3 | 11 August 2023 | Dublin | [37] | ||
| 19 | 14:35.85 | Paltrinieri #6 | 30 July 2017 | Budapest | [38] | ||
| 10 | 20 | 14:36.10 | Mykhailo Romanchuk |  Ukraine |
16 August 2022 | Rome | [39] |
| 21 | 14:36.15 | Wellbrock #2 | 5 August 2018 | Glasgow | [40] | ||
| 22 | 14:36.25 | Wellbrock #3 | 4 May 2025 | Berlin | [41] | ||
| 23 | 14:36.45 | Wellbrock #4 | 18 April 2021 | Berlin | [42] | ||
| 24 | 14:36.56 | Wellbrock #5 | 28 July 2019 | Gwangju | [43] | ||
| 25 | 14:36.60 | Finke #3 | 3 August 2025 | Singapore | [32] | ||
| 11 | 14:37.28 | Oussama Mellouli | Tunisia |
2 August 2009 | Rome | [44] | |
| Samuel Short | Australia |
30 July 2023 | Fukuoka | [27] | |||
| 13 | 14:39.03 | Oliver Klemet | Germany |
4 May 2025 | Berlin | [41] | |
| 14 | 14:39.48 | Connor Jaeger | United States |
13 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro | [33] | |
| 15 | 14:39.54 | Mack Horton | Australia |
13 April 2016 | Adelaide | [45] | |
| 16 | 14:39.63 | Ryan Cochrane |  Canada |
4 August 2012 | London | [6] | |
| 17 | 14:39.67 | Johannes Liebmann | Germany |
10 April 2026 | Stockholm | [46] | |
| 18 | 14:40.28 | Lukas Märtens | Germany |
25 March 2022 | Magdeburg | [47] | |
| 19 | 14:40.86 | Gabriele Detti | Italy |
13 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro | [33] | |
| 20 | 14:40.91 | Dávid Betlehem |  Hungary |
4 August 2024 | Paris | [7] | |
| 21 | 14:41.13 | Yuriy Prilukov |  Russia |
15 August 2008 | Beijing | [48] | |
| 22 | 14:41.22 | Kuzey Tunçelli |  Turkey |
4 August 2024 | Paris | [7] | |
| 23 | 14:41.66 | Kieren Perkins | Australia |
24 August 1994 | Victoria | [4] | |
| 24 | 14:44.66 | David Aubry | France |
4 August 2024 | Paris | [7] | |
| 25 | 14:45.03 | Jordan Wilimovsky | United States |
13 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro | [33] |
Men short course
- Correct as of December 2025[49]
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 14:06.88 | Florian Wellbrock | Germany |
21 December 2021 | Abu Dhabi | [10] |
| 2 | 2 | 14:08.06 | Gregorio Paltrinieri | Italy |
4 December 2015 | Netanya | [9] |
| 3 | 3 | 14:09.11 | Daniel Wiffen | Ireland |
7 December 2023 | Otopeni | [50] |
| 4 | 4 | 14:09.14 | Mykhailo Romanchuk | Ukraine |
16 December 2018 | Hangzhou | [51] |
| 5 | 14:09.87 | Paltrinieri #2 | 16 December 2018 | Hangzhou | [51] | ||
| 6 | 14:09.88 | Wellbrock #2 | 4 November 2021 | Kazan | [52] | ||
| 5 | 7 | 14:10.10 | Grant Hackett | Australia |
7 August 2001 | Perth | [8] |
| 6 | 8 | 14:10.94 | Ahmed Hafnaoui | Tunisia |
21 December 2021 | Abu Dhabi | [10] |
| 9 | 14:11.47 | Romanchuk #2 | 21 December 2021 | Abu Dhabi | [10] | ||
| 10 | 14:13.07 | Paltrinieri #3 | 4 November 2021 | Kazan | [52] | ||
| 11 | 14:13.96 | Wiffen #2 | 4 December 2025 | Lublin | [53] | ||
| 12 | 14:14.45 | Wiffen #3 | 10 December 2022 | Glasgow | [54] | ||
| 13 | 14:14.59 | Romanchuk #3 | 15 December 2017 | Copenhagen | [55] | ||
| 14 | 14:15.49 | Romanchuk #4 | 22 October 2016 | Singapore | [56] | ||
| 7 | 15 | 14:15.51 | Park Tae-hwan |  South Korea |
11 December 2016 | Windsor | [57] |
| Zalán Sárkány | Hungary |
4 December 2025 | Lublin | [53] | |||
| 17 | 14:16.10 | Paltrinieri #4 | 7 December 2014 | Doha | [58] | ||
| 9 | 18 | 14:16.13 | Yuriy Prilukov | Russia |
9 December 2006 | Helsinki | [59] |
| 10 | 19 | 14:16.40 | Ahmed Jaouadi | Tunisia |
10 December 2024 | Budapest | [60] |
| 20 | 14:16.88 | Paltrinieri #5 | 13 December 2022 | Melbourne | [61] | ||
| 21 | 14:17.14 | Paltrinieri #6 | 6 December 2019 | Glasgow | [62] | ||
| 22 | 14:17.27 | Wellbrock #3 | 10 December 2024 | Budapest | [60] | ||
| 11 | 23 | 14:18.00 | Gabriele Detti | Italy |
4 December 2015 | Netanya | [9] |
| 24 | 14:18.10 | Paltrinieri #7 | 5 December 2019 | Glasgow | [63] | ||
| 12 | 25 | 14:18.15 | Henrik Christiansen |  Norway |
6 December 2019 | Glasgow | [62] |
| 13 | 14:18.79 | Oussama Mellouli | Tunisia |
7 December 2014 | Doha | [58] | |
| 14 | 14:19.29 | Connor Jaeger | United States |
12 December 2015 | Indianapolis | [64] | |
| 15 | 14:19.62 | Damien Joly | France |
13 December 2022 | Melbourne | [61] | |
| 16 | 14:19.65 | Dávid Betlehem | Hungary |
4 December 2025 | Lublin | [53] | |
| 17 | 14:20.44 | Jan Wolfgarten | Germany |
12 December 2009 | Istanbul | [65] | |
| 18 | 14:20.64 | Kuzey Tunçelli | Turkey |
10 December 2024 | Budapest | [60] | |
| 19 | 14:21.78 | David Aubry | France |
7 December 2023 | Otopeni | [50] | |
| 20 | 14:22.29 | Sven Schwarz | Germany |
10 December 2024 | Budapest | [60] | |
| 21 | 14:22.47 | Zhang Lin | China |
21 February 2009 | Tokyo | [66] | |
| 22 | 14:22.77 | David Johnston | United States |
27 August 2022 | Sydney | [67] | |
| 23 | 14:23.26 | Kazushi Imafuku | Japan |
29 March 2025 | Tokyo | [68] | |
| 24 | 14:23.35 | Ryan Cochrane | Canada |
7 December 2014 | Doha | [58] | |
| 25 | 14:23.98 | Victor Johansson | Sweden |
3 December 2025 | Lublin | [69] |
Women long course
- Correct as of June 2026[70]
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 15:20.48 | Katie Ledecky | United States |
16 May 2018 | Indianapolis | [17] |
| 2 | 15:23.21 | Ledecky #2 | 14 January 2026 | Austin | [71] | ||
| 3 | 15:24.51 | Ledecky #3 | 30 April 2025 | Fort Lauderdale | [72] | ||
| 4 | 15:25.48 | Ledecky #4 | 4 August 2015 | Kazan | [16] | ||
| 5 | 15:25.62 | Ledecky #5 | 29 April 2026 | Fort Lauderdale | [73] | ||
| 6 | 15:26.27 | Ledecky #6 | 25 July 2023 | Fukuoka | [74] | ||
| 7 | 15:26.44 | Ledecky #7 | 29 July 2025 | Singapore | [75] | ||
| 8 | 15:27.71 | Ledecky #8 | 3 August 2015 | Kazan | [15] | ||
| 9 | 15:28.36 | Ledecky #9 | 24 August 2014 | Gold Coast | [14] | ||
| 10 | 15:29.51 | Ledecky #10 | 4 March 2020 | Des Moines | [76] | ||
| 11 | 15:29.64 | Ledecky #11 | 1 July 2023 | Indianapolis | [77] | ||
| 12 | 15:30.02 | Ledecky #12 | 31 July 2024 | Paris | [78] | ||
| 13 | 15:30.15 | Ledecky #13 | 20 June 2022 | Budapest | [79] | ||
| 2 | 14 | 15:31.79 | Simona Quadarella | Italy |
29 July 2025 | Singapore | [75] |
| 15 | 15:31.82 | Ledecky #14 | 25 July 2017 | Budapest | [80] | ||
| 16 | 15:34.23 | Ledecky #15 | 19 June 2014 | Shenandoah | [13] | ||
| 17 | 15:34.66 | Ledecky #16 | 17 June 2026 | Indianapolis | [81] | ||
| 18 | 15:35.35 | Ledecky #17 | 26 July 2021 | Tokyo | [82] | ||
| 19 | 15:35.65 | Ledecky #18 | 1 June 2017 | Santa Clara | [83] | ||
| 20 | 15:35.98 | Ledecky #19 | 7 December 2019 | Greensboro | [84] | ||
| 21 | 15:36.53 | Ledecky #20 | 30 July 2013 | Barcelona | [12] | ||
| 22 | 15:36.68 | Ledecky #21 | 28 July 2025 | Singapore | [85] | ||
| 23 | 15:36.76 | Ledecky #22 | 7 June 2025 | Indianapolis | [86] | ||
| 24 | 15:36.87 | Ledecky #23 | 16 February 2025 | Plantation | [87] | ||
| 25 | 15:37.34 | Ledecky #24 | 28 July 2021 | Tokyo | [88] | ||
| 3 | 15:38.88 | Lotte Friis | Denmark |
30 July 2013 | Barcelona | [12] | |
| 4 | 15:39.14 | Lani Pallister | Australia |
14 June 2025 | Adelaide | [89] | |
| 5 | 15:40.14 | Lauren Boyle | New Zealand |
4 August 2015 | Kazan | [16] | |
| 6 | 15:40.35 | Anastasiya Kirpichnikova | France[B] |
31 July 2024 | Paris | [78] | |
| 7 | 15:41.16 | Isabel Gose | Germany |
31 July 2024 | Paris | [78] | |
| 8 | 15:41.41 | Erica Sullivan | United States |
28 July 2021 | Tokyo | [88] | |
| 9 | 15:41.49 | Wang Jianjiahe | China |
26 July 2021 | Tokyo | [82] | |
| 10 | 15:42.54 | Kate Ziegler | United States |
17 June 2007 | Mission Viejo | [11] | |
| 11 | 15:42.91 | Sarah Köhler | Germany |
28 July 2021 | Tokyo | [88] | |
| 12 | 15:43.94 | Li Bingjie | China |
19 May 2025 | Shenzhen | [90] | |
| 13 | 15:44.89 | Katie Grimes | United States |
20 June 2022 | Budapest | [79] | |
| 14 | 15:44.93 | Alessia Filippi | Italy |
28 July 2009 | Rome | [91] | |
| 15 | 15:46.13 | Maddy Gough | Australia |
15 June 2021 | Adelaide | [92] | |
| 16 | 15:47.09 | Boglárka Kapás | Hungary |
4 August 2015 | Kazan | [16] | |
| 17 | 15:47.26 | Jazmin Carlin | Great Britain |
26 June 2013 | Sheffield | [93] | |
| 18 | 15:50.89 | Mireia Belmonte | Spain |
25 July 2017 | Budapest | [80] | |
| 19 | 15:51.68 | Delfina Pignatiello |  Argentina |
15 June 2019 | Barcelona | [94] | |
| 20 | 15:52.10 | Janet Evans | United States |
26 March 1988 | Orlando | ||
| 21 | 15:52.17 | Jessica Ashwood | Australia |
4 August 2015 | Kazan | [16] | |
| 22 | 15:52.37 | Camelia Potec |  Romania |
26 April 2009 | Montpellier | ||
| 23 | 15:54.19 | Ashley Twichell | United States |
23 July 2019 | Gwangju | [95] | |
| 24 | 15:54.30 | Kristel Kobrich |  Chile |
29 July 2013 | Barcelona | [96] | |
| 25 | 15:54.48 | Ajna Késely | Hungary |
22 July 2019 | Gwangju | [97] |
Women short course
- Correct as of November 2025[98]
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 15:08.24 | Katie Ledecky | United States |
29 October 2022 | Toronto | [25] |
| 2 | 2 | 15:13.83 | Lani Pallister | Australia |
19 October 2025 | Westmont | [99] |
| 3 | 3 | 15:18.01 | Sarah Köhler | Germany |
16 November 2019 | Berlin | [24] |
| 4 | 4 | 15:18.30 | Anastasiya Kirpichnikova | Russia[B] |
5 November 2021 | Kazan | [100] |
| 5 | 5 | 15:19.71 | Mireia Belmonte | Spain |
12 December 2014 | Sabadell | [23] |
| 6 | 15:20.12 | Kirpichnikova #2 | 8 December 2023 | Otopeni | [101] | ||
| 7 | 15:21.43 | Pallister #2 | 16 December 2022 | Melbourne | [102] | ||
| 6 | 8 | 15:22.68 | Lauren Boyle | New Zealand |
9 August 2014 | Wellington | [22] |
| 9 | 15:24.63 | Pallister #3 | 24 August 2022 | Sydney | [103] | ||
| 7 | 10 | 15:24.69 | Isabel Gose | Germany |
15 December 2024 | Budapest | [104] |
| 11 | 15:25.50 | Gose #2 | 19 November 2023 | Wuppertal | [105] | ||
| 12 | 15:26.08 | Kirpichnikova #3 | 4 November 2021 | Kazan | [106] | ||
| 13 | 15:26.95 | Belmonte #2 | 29 November 2013 | Castellón de la Plana | [21] | ||
| 14 | 15:28.33 | Pallister #4 | 29 November 2020 | Brisbane | [107] | ||
| 8 | 15 | 15:28.65 | Lotte Friis | Denmark |
28 November 2009 | Birkerød | [20] |
| 9 | 16 | 15:29.74 | Simona Quadarella | Italy |
5 March 2021 | Rome | [108] |
| 24 April 2021 | Pietralata | [109] | |||||
| 18 | 15:29.93 | Quadarella #3 | 7 December 2025 | Lublin | [110] | ||
| 19 | 15:30.14 | Quadarella #4 | 13 December 2024 | Budapest | [104] | ||
| 10 | 20 | 15:30.22 | Erika Fairweather | New Zealand |
19 October 2025 | Westmont | [99] |
| 11 | 21 | 15:31.19 | Maddy Gough | Australia |
26 September 2020 | Brisbane | [111] |
| 12 | 22 | 15:32.90 | Kate Ziegler | United States |
12 October 2007 | Essen | [19] |
| 23 | 15:33.40 | Quadarella #5 | 14 November 2024 | Riccione | [112] | ||
| 24 | 15:33.42 | Kirpichnikova #4 | 26 October 2023 | Angers | [113] | ||
| 25 | 15:34.16 | Quadarella #6 | 5 November 2021 | Kazan | [100] | ||
| 13 | 15:34.31 | Kareena Lee | Australia |
29 November 2020 | Brisbane | [107] | |
| 14 | 15:36.43 | Martina Caramignoli | Italy |
5 March 2021 | Rome | [108] | |
| 15 | 15:37.78 | Erika Villaecija | Spain |
26 November 2009 | Castellón de la Plana | [114] | |
| 16 | 15:38.64 | Phoebe Hines | Australia |
29 November 2020 | Brisbane | ||
| 17 | 15:40.05 | Leonie Beck | Germany |
25 October 2019 | Wuppertal | [115] | |
| 18 | 15:40.52 | Moesha Johnson | Australia |
29 November 2020 | Brisbane | ||
| 19 | 15:41.29 | Jillian Cox | United States |
13 December 2024 | Budapest | [104] | |
| 20 | 15:41.80 | Li Bingjie | China |
28 October 2022 | Beijing | [116] | |
| 21 | 15:42.05 | Katie Grimes | United States |
4 November 2022 | Indianapolis | [117] | |
| 22 | 15:42.14 | Kseniya Misharina | Russia |
10 November 2025 | Kazan | [118] | |
| 23 | 15:42.18 | Caitlin Deans | New Zealand |
19 October 2025 | Westmont | [99] | |
| 24 | 15:42.39 | Laure Manaudou | France |
20 November 2004 | La Roche-sur-Yon | [18] | |
| 25 | 15:43.31 | Petra Schneider | East Germany |
10 January 1982 | Gainesville | [18] |
Notes
- ^ Glen Housman's time of 14:53.59 was not ratified as a world record due to an electronic timing error.
- ^ Anastasiya Kirpichnikova initially represented Russia, before switching her sporting citizenship to France in April 2023. The attributed nation indicates which team she was representing at the time.