1500 metres freestyle

The 1500 metres freestyle is an event in competitive swimming. World records are ratified by World Aquatics (formerly FINA). The current long course world record holders are Germany's Johannes Liebmann and the US' Katie Ledecky, while the current short course world record holders are Germany's Florian Wellbrock, and Ledecky. The men's event was first contested at the Olympic Games in 1908, while the women's event was introduced in 2020; the current Olympic champions are the US' Bobby Finke and Ledecky. The men's event has been contested at the World Aquatics Championships since the inaugural championships in 1973, while the women's event has been contested since 2001; the current world champions (long course) are Tunisia's Ahmed Jaouadi, and Ledecky. The men's event has been contested at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) since the inaugural championships in 1993, while the women's event has been contested since 2022; the current world champions (short course) are Jaouadi, and Germany's Isabel Gose. == World record progression == === Men long course === === Men short course === === Women long course === === Women short course === == All-time top 25 == === Men long course === Correct as of August 2026 === Men short course === Correct as of December 2025 === Women long course === Correct as of August 2026 === Women short course === Correct as of November 2025 == Olympic champions == === Men === === Women === == World champions (long course) == === Men === === Women === == World champions (short course) == === Men === === Women === == Notes == == References ==