Standards Engine › 400m hurdles
400m hurdles scholarships in the USA: what times do you need?
The 400m hurdles combines one-lap speed and hurdling rhythm, and 400m hurdlers usually help the 4x400m relay too, which makes them attractive to college coaches.
400m hurdles Standards Engine
Enter your 400m hurdles PB and see the US college level you could compete at, in seconds. Times are only one part of what coaches look at.
This shows the level your times suggest you could compete at. Your overall scholarship package is a combination of multiple factors: your second events, your grades, your attitude and how you come across during the recruitment process, and how long you have before you would start. Our free assessment looks at all of this.
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400m hurdles standards by level
Each column shows the level of programme a mark suggests you could potentially compete at. Your overall scholarship package at any level is a combination of multiple factors, not just your times.
| D1 top | D1 large | D1 mid major | D2 large | D2 small | NAIA | JUCO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 51.00 | 52.50 | 54.00 | 53.50 | 55.00 | 56.50 | 57.20 |
| Women | 58.00 | 60.00 | 62.00 | 61.50 | 63.50 | 65.00 | 65.80 |
Outdoor, fully automatic timing. Guides, not guarantees. See standards for every event →
What US coaches look for in a 400m hurdles recruit
- Your PB and how recent it is. A season's best from this year counts for more than an older mark.
- Flat 400m speed. Your flat 400m shows how much room you have to improve.
- Relay value. A 400m hurdler who can run a strong 4x400m leg is highly valued.
- Your trajectory. How much you have improved over the last one to two seasons, and your training age. A fast-improving athlete can be recruited above their current mark.
Common second events: 400m, sprint hurdles and the 4x400m.
Athletes we have supported in this event group
Out of our 430+ track and field athletes placed in the US:
Where the Standards Engine levels come from: officially released recruiting standards from US college coaches, our direct dialogue with coaches, and the reality of placing 430+ track and field athletes at US universities.
Frequently asked questions
What 400m hurdles time do you need for a scholarship?
As a guide, men around 54.00 and women around 62.00 are in range for mid-major Division I programmes, with top Power 4 programmes looking closer to 51.00 and 58.00. Your overall scholarship package is a combination of factors, including grades, attitude, second events and timing.
Can I get recruited if my mark is just outside the standard?
Often, yes. Coaches recruit on trajectory, range and potential as well as current marks, and many athletes improve significantly in their first US season. A free assessment will tell you where you realistically stand.
What are the D1 400m hurdles times for men and women?
As a guide from our Standards Engine, men need around 51.00s for top Division I (Power 4) programmes, 52.50s for large Division I programmes and 54.00s for mid-major Division I. For women the guide marks are 58.00s, 60.00s and 62.00s. These are final-year marks and guides, not guarantees: grades, second events and attitude all affect an offer.
What 400m hurdles time do you need for Division II, NAIA or junior college?
For men, about 53.50s puts you in range for leading Division II programmes and 55.00s for smaller ones, 56.50s for NAIA and 57.20s for junior college (JUCO). For women the marks are 61.50s, 63.50s, 65.00s and 65.80s. All of these levels offer athletic scholarships, and some athletes move up to Division I later through a transfer.
Do younger athletes need to hit the same 400m hurdles times?
No. Coaches recruit athletes with one or two years of school left on slightly slower times, about 1.8% per year, because they expect you to improve. Use the school-year option in the table above to see the standard for your stage.
Do US coaches accept hand-timed 400m hurdles times?
They will look at them, but a hand time is treated as slower than it reads. Our standards assume fully automatic timing, so an electronically timed mark from a recognised meet is the best one to send a coach.
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