World Records — Mile Women

The Mile Women world record stands at 4:06.42, set by Faith Kipyegon (KEN) in 2025. Explore its full progression through athletics history.

Record progression

Mark over the years. The higher the curve, the better the record.

4:105:005:50194019601980200020206:13.2 · Atkinson4:06.42 · Kipyegon

Record History

2025Faith KipyegonCurrentKEN—Jun 26, 2025ParisOngoing4:06.42-1.22s
2023Faith KipyegonKEN—Jul 21, 2023Monaco23 months4:07.64-4.69s
2019Sifan HassanNED—Jul 12, 2019Monaco4 years4:12.33-0.23s
1996Svetlana MasterkovaRUS—Aug 14, 1996Zürich22.9 years4:12.56-3.05s
1989Paula IvanROU—Jul 10, 1989Nice7.1 years4:15.61-1.10s
1985Mary Decker-SlaneyUSA—Aug 21, 1985Zürich3.9 years4:16.71-0.73s
1982Maricica PuicăROU—Sep 9, 1982Rieti2.9 years4:17.44-0.64s
1982Mary Decker-TabbUSA—Jul 9, 1982Paris2 months4:18.08-2.81s
1981Lyudmila VeselkovaURS—Sep 12, 1981Bologna10 months4:20.89-0.81s
1980Mary DeckerUSA—Jan 26, 1980Auckland20 months4:21.7-0.40s
1979Natalia MărăşescuROU—Jan 27, 1979Auckland12 months4:22.1-1.70s
1977Natalia MărăşescuROU—May 21, 1977Bucharest20 months4:23.8-5.70s
1973Paola PigniITA—Aug 8, 1973Viareggio3.8 years4:29.5-5.80s
1971Ellen TittelFRG—Aug 20, 1971Sittard24 months4:35.3-1.50s
1969Maria GommersNED—Jun 14, 1969Leicester2.2 years4:36.8-0.20s
1967Anne SmithGBR—Jun 3, 1967London2 years4:37.0-2.20s
1967Anne SmithGBR—May 13, 1967London21 d4:39.2-2.20s
1962Marise ChamberlainNZL—Dec 8, 1962Perth4.4 years4:41.4-3.60s
1955Diane LeatherGBR—Sep 21, 1955London7.2 years4:45.0-5.80s
1955Diane LeatherGBR—May 24, 1955London4 months4:50.8-8.80s
1954Diane LeatherGBR—May 29, 1954Birmingham12 months4:59.6-0.60s
1954Diane LeatherGBR—May 26, 1954Birmingham3 d5:00.2-0.10s
1953Edith TreybalROU—Nov 1, 1953Timișoara7 months5:00.3-2.30s
1953Diane LeatherGBR—Sep 30, 1953London32 d5:02.6-5.40s
1953Anne OliverGBR—Sep 12, 1953Consett18 d5:08.0-1.80s
1953Enid HardingGBR—Jun 4, 1953London3 months5:09.8-1.20s
1952Anne OliverGBR—Jun 14, 1952London12 months5:11.0-4.30s
1939Evelyn ForsterGBR—Jul 22, 1939London12.9 years5:15.3-1.70s
1937Gladys LunnGBR—Aug 7, 1937London23 months5:17.0-3.80s
1937Gladys LunnGBR—May 8, 1937Dudley3 months5:20.8-2.20s
1936Gladys LunnGBR—Jul 18, 1936London10 months5:23.0-1.00s
1936Gladys LunnGBR—Jun 1, 1936Brentwood47 d5:24.0-3.50s
1932Ruth ChristmasGBR—Aug 20, 1932London3.8 years5:27.5-45.70s
1921Elizabeth AtkinsonGBR—Jun 24, 1921Manchester11.2 years6:13.2—
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Faith Kipyegon (Kenya) holds the Mile Women world record with 4:06.42, set on June 26, 2025 in Paris.

Sifan Hassan (Netherlands) held it with 4:12.33, from July 12, 2019 until July 21, 2023 (4 years).

Elite Trackr's progression lists 33 improvements since 1921, when Elizabeth Atkinson set 6:13.2.