Swimming at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Women's 400 metre freestyle

The women's 400 metre freestyle event at the 1996 Summer Olympics took place on 22 July at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center in Atlanta, United States.

Records
Prior to this competition, the existing world and Olympic records were as follows.

Heats
Rule: The eight fastest swimmers advance to final A (Q), while the next eight to final B (q).