The competition was held from Thursday to Saturday, 13 to 15 August 1936.
Twenty swimmers from ten nations competed.
Ragnhild Hveger set a new Olympic record in the first heat with 5:28.0 minutes.
In the final Rie Mastenbroek bettered the Olympic record with 5:26.4 minutes.
As both fourth placed swimmers set the same time both advanced to the final.