Women's 400 metres hurdles world record progression

The first world record in the women's 400 metres hurdles was recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in 1974. The current record is 52.34 seconds, set by Russian Yuliya Pechonkina in 2003.

The first documented 400 m hurdles race for women took place in 1971 but the event was officially introduced as a discipline in 1974.

To June 21, 2009, the IAAF has ratified 16 world records in the event.