Swimming has been contested at every Summer Paralympics.

At the first games, the 1960 Paralympics, 62 swimming events were held in distances of 25 and 50 metres, plus a 3×50 metre relay for men.

Along with track and field athletics, it is one of the largest sports at the Paralympics in terms of the number of events, competitors, and spectators.

As with most Paralympic sports, athletes are classified according to the type and extent of their disability.

The International Paralympic Committee recognizes the fastest times swum at the games as Paralympic records.