World Records - 400 m Men

The 400 m Men world record stands at 43.03, set by Wayde Van Niekerk (RSA) in 2016. Explore its full progression through athletics history.

WV
Wayde Van Niekerk
400 mètresMen
WR
43.03WR
Wayde Van Niekerk
RSARSA
August 14, 2016
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Record standing for: 9 years, 11 months

Record History

PerformanceAthleteCountryDateCompetitionsGap vs WRDurationImprovement
43.03WR
Wayde Van NiekerkRSAAug 14, 2016Rio de Janeiro, BrazilWR9y 11mo (Current)-0.15s
43.18
Michael JohnsonUSAAug 26, 1999Seville, Spain+0.15s17y -0.11s
43.29
Butch ReynoldsUSAAug 17, 1988Zürich, Switzerland+0.26s11y -0.64s
43.93
Butch ReynoldsUSAJul 20, 1988Indianapolis, USA+0.90s1mo -0.17s
44.1
Butch ReynoldsUSAMay 3, 1987Columbus, Ohio, USA+1.07s1y 2mo -0.16s
44.26
Alberto JuantorenaCUBJul 29, 1976Montreal, Canada+1.23s10y 10mo -0.34s
44.6
John SmithUSAAug 1, 1971Cali, Colombia+1.57s4y 11mo -0.35s
44.95
Lee EvansUSAJul 30, 1967Winnipeg, Canada+1.92s4y 1mo -1.85s
46.8
Mike LarrabeeUSAApr 8, 1965Berlin+3.77s2y 3mo +1.90s
44.9
Mike LarrabeeUSASep 12, 1964Los Angeles, USA+1.87s7mo -
44.9
Carl KaufmannGERSep 6, 1960Rome, Italy+1.87s4y -
44.9
Otis DavisUSASep 6, 1960Rome, Italy+1.87s0d -0.30s
45.2
Lou JonesUSAJun 30, 1956Los Angeles, USA+2.17s4y 3mo -0.60s
45.8
George RhodenJAMAug 22, 1950Eskilstuna, Sweden+2.77s5y 10mo -0.10s
45.9
Herb McKenleyJAMJul 2, 1948Milwaukee, USA+2.87s2y 1mo -0.10s
46.0
Grover KlemmerUSAJun 6, 1941Philadelphia, USA+2.97s7y 1mo -
46.0
Rudolf HarbigGERAug 12, 1939Frankfurt am Main, Germany+2.97s1y 10mo -0.10s
46.1
Andrae WilliamsBAHJun 19, 1936Chicago, USA+3.07s3y 2mo -0.10s
46.2
Bill CarrUSAAug 5, 1932Los Angeles, USA+3.17s3y 10mo -0.80s
47.0
Emerson SpencerUSAMay 12, 1928Palo Alto, USA+3.97s4y 3mo -1.20s
48.2
Charles ReidpathUSAJul 13, 1912Stockholm, Sweden+5.17s15y 10mo -