The outlet temperature distribution plays a crucial role in determining the lifespan and stability of downstream thermal components. It poses a significant challenge in the design and regulation of high-temperature combustors. This study aims to investigate the influence of swirl number on the outlet temperature distribution in multi-stage combustor. The impact of varying fourth-stage swirl numbers on flow structure, hot streaks, and temperature distribution is compared and analyzed. The results indicate that increasing the swirl number significantly improves the air–fuel mixing within the combustion zone, leading to the expansion of high-temperature regions. Additionally, the high-temperature region migrates upstream along the primary zone. With an increase in the swirl number, the relative area of hot spots within the combustor also increases. Remarkably, the swirler configuration with a swirl number of 1.5 exhibits the most minimal exit temperature gradient and the highest level of temperature distribution uniformity, quantified by an outlet temperature distribution factor (OTDF) of 0.26. Furthermore, changes in the swirl number affect the distribution of combustion modes within the combustor. Increasing the swirl number promotes the premixed combustion mode at the pilot stage exit and enhances temperature uniformity at the swirler exit. Thorough comprehension of the temperature distribution in the primary zone enables control of the outlet temperature distribution from its origin. Uniformity amplitude (UA) of HCO and primary temperature distribution factor (PTDF) are defined to describe the temperature distribution in primary zone. At a swirl number of 1.5, the UA and PTDF also shows the lowest values of 0.2754 and 0.3019, respectively. Overall, when improving the distribution of HCO under both premixed and non-premixed modes, a more uniform temperature distribution across the primary zone can be achieved, effectively optimize the exit temperature distribution.