The women's 400 metre freestyle was a swimming event held as part of the swimming at the 1928 Summer Olympics programme. It was the second appearance of the event, which was established in 1924 after 1920 a 300-metre event was held. The competition was held from Saturday August 4, 1928 to Monday August 6, 1928.
Twenty swimmers from nine nations competed.
These were the standing world and Olympic records (in minutes) prior to the 1928 Summer Olympics.
In the first heat Martha Norelius set a new world record with 5:45.4 minutes. In the final she bettered her own record to 5:42.8 minutes.
Saturday August 4, 1928: The fastest two in each heat and the fastest third-placed from across the heats advanced.
Heat 1
Heat 2
Heat 3
Heat 4
Sunday August 5, 1928: The fastest three in each semi-final advanced to the final.
Semifinal 1
Semifinal 2
Monday August 6, 1928: