Athletics at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Women's 400 metres

The women's 400 metres event at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea had an entry list of 48 competitors. The final was run on Monday September 26, 1988, in the Seoul Olympic Stadium.

Records
These were the standing world and Olympic records (in seconds) prior to the 1988 Summer Olympics.

The following Olympic record was set during this competition.