World record progression 200 metres backstroke

Main article: List of world records in swimming
Graphs of the progression of the World Records in all four strokes (50 m, 100 m and 200 m distances) until 2010.

This is a history of the progression of the world record for the 200-meter backstroke event. It is a listing of the fastest-time-ever swum in the event, in both long course (50-meter) and short course (25-meter) swimming pools. These records are maintained/recognized by FINA, which oversees international competitive swimming and aquatics.

The long course records are historically older than the short course records; the latter having only been recognized since the early 1990s.

Men

Long course

Old regulations

No Time Name Nationality Date Location
1 3'04"4 Oscar Schiele Germany Germany 27 June 1909 Berlin, Germany[1]
2 2'59"8 George Arnold Germany Germany 3 January 1910 Magdeburg, Germany
3 2'56"4 Maurice Wechesser  Belgium 18 October 1910 Schaerbeek, Belgium
4 2'50"6 Hermann Pentz Germany Germany 11 March 1911 Magdeburg, Germany
5 2'48"4 Otto Fahr Germany Germany 3 April 1912 Magdeburg, Germany
6 2'47"1 Walter Laufer  United States 24 June 1926 Bremen, Germany[2]
7 2'44"9 Walter Laufer  United States 11 July 1926 Nuremberg, Germany
8 2'38"8 Walter Laufer  United States 13 July 1926 Magdeburg, Germany[3][4]
9 2'37"8 Toshio Irie  Japan 14 October 1928 Tamagawa, Japan[5]
10 2'32"2 George Kojac  United States 16 June 1930 New Haven, United States
11 2'27"8 Al Vande Weghe  United States 30 August 1934 Honolulu, Hawaii
12 2'24"0 Adolph Kiefer  United States 11 April 1935 Chicago, United States
13 2'23"0 Adolph Kiefer  United States 23 May 1941 Honolulu, Hawaii
14 2'22"9 Harry Holiday  United States 18 May 1943 Detroit, United States
15 2'19"3 Adolph Kiefer  United States 4 March 1944 Annapolis, United States
16 2'18"5 Allen Stack  United States 4 May 1949 New Haven, United States
17 2'18"3 Gilbert Bozon  France 26 June 1953 Algiers, Algeria

New regulations

# Time Name Nationality Date Meet Location Ref
01 2:18.5 Allen Stack  United States 4 May 1949 - New Haven, United States [6][7]
02 2:18.3 Gilbert Bozon  France 26 June 1953 - Algiers, Algeria [6]
03 2:18.8 John Monckton Australia Australia 15 January 1958 - Sydney, Australia [6]
04 2:18.4 John Monckton Australia Australia 18 February 1958 - Melbourne, Australia [6]
05 2:17.9 Frank McKinney  United States 12 July 1959 - Los Altos, United States [6][8]
06 2:17.8 Frank McKinney  United States 25 July 1959 - Osaka, Japan [6][9]
07 2:17.6 Chuck Bittick  United States 26 June 1960 - Los Angeles, United States [6]
08 2:16.0 Tom Stock  United States 24 July 1960 - Toledo, United States [6]
09 2:13.2 Tom Stock  United States 2 July 1961 - Chicago, United States [6]
10 2:11.5 Tom Stock  United States 20 August 1961 - Los Angeles, United States [6]
11 2:10.9 Tom Stock  United States 10 August 1962 - Cuyahoga Falls, United States [6]
12 2:10.3 Jed Graef  United States 13 October 1964 1964 Summer Olympics Tokyo, Japan [6]
13 2:09.4 Charles Hickcox  United States 29 August 1967 1967 Summer Universiade Tokyo, Japan [6]
14 2:07.9 Roland Matthes East Germany East Germany 8 November 1967 - Leipzig, East Germany [6]
15 2:07.5 Roland Matthes East Germany East Germany 14 August 1968 GDR Olympic Trials Leipzig, East Germany [6]
16 2:07.4 Roland Matthes East Germany East Germany 12 July 1969 Santa Clara Invitational Santa Clara, United States [6][10]
17 2:06.6 Gary Hall  United States 14 August 1969 AAU Nationals Louisville, United States [6]
17 2:06.6 = Roland Matthes East Germany East Germany 29 August 1969 - Berlin, West Germany [6]
18 2:06.3 Mike Stamm  United States 20 August 1970 AAU Nationals Los Angeles, United States [6]
19 2:06.1 Roland Matthes East Germany East Germany 11 September 1970 European Championships Barcelona, Spain [6]
20 2:05.6 Roland Matthes East Germany East Germany 3 September 1971 GDR vs USA Duel Leipzig, East Germany [6]
21 2:02.8 Roland Matthes East Germany East Germany 10 July 1972 GDR Olympic Trials Leipzig, East Germany [6]
21 2:02.82 = Roland Matthes East Germany East Germany 2 September 1972 1972 Summer Olympics Munich, West Germany [6]
22 2:01.87 Roland Matthes East Germany East Germany 6 September 1973 World Championships Belgrade, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia [6]
23 2:00.64 John Naber  United States 19 June 1976 USA Olympic Trials Long Beach, United States [6]
24 1:59.19 John Naber  United States 24 July 1976 1976 Summer Olympics Montreal, Canada [6]
25 1:58.93 Rick Carey  United States 3 August 1983 1983 U.S. Summer Nationals Clovis, United States [6][11]
26 1:58.86 Rick Carey  United States 27 June 1984 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials Indianapolis, United States [6]
27 1:58.41 Sergei Zabolotnov Soviet Union Soviet Union 21 August 1984 Friendship Games Moscow, Soviet Union [6]
28 1:58.14 Igor Polyansky Soviet Union Soviet Union 3 March 1985 GDR vs URS Duel Erfurt, East Germany [6]
29 1:57.30 Martin Zubero Spain 13 August 1991 1991 U.S. Summer Nationals Fort Lauderdale, United States [6][12]
30 1:56.57 Martin Zubero Spain 23 November 1991 Alabama LC Invitational Tuscaloosa, United States [6][13]
31 1:55.87 Lenny Krayzelburg  United States 27 August 1999 1999 Pan Pacific Championships Sydney, Australia [6]
32 1:55.15 Aaron Peirsol  United States 20 March 2002 U.S. Spring Nationals Minneapolis, United States [6]
33 1:54.74 Aaron Peirsol  United States 12 July 2004 USA Olympic Trials Long Beach, United States [6]
34 1:54.66 Aaron Peirsol  United States 29 July 2005 2005 World Championships Montreal, Canada [6]
35 1:54.44 Aaron Peirsol  United States 19 August 2006 2006 Pan Pacific Championships Victoria, Canada
36 1:54.32 Ryan Lochte  United States 30 March 2007 2007 World Championships Melbourne, Australia
36 1:54.32 = Aaron Peirsol  United States 4 July 2008 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials Omaha, United States
37 1:53.94 Ryan Lochte  United States 15 August 2008 2008 Summer Olympics Beijing, China
- 1:52.86 Ryosuke Irie  Japan 10 May 2009 Duel in the Pool: Australia vs Japan Canberra, Australia [14]
38 1:53.08 Aaron Peirsol  United States 11 July 2009 2009 U.S. Summer Nationals Indianapolis, United States
39 1:51.92 Aaron Peirsol  United States 31 July 2009 2009 World Championships Rome, Italy
Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by FINA;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; † – en route to final mark; tt – time trial

Short course

# Time Name Nationality Date Meet Location Ref
WBT 1:55.93 Mark Tewksbury  Canada 1 March 1991 World Cup meet Toronto, Canada
01 1:52.51 Martin Lopez-Zubero Spain 10 April 1991 ? Gainesville, United States [15]
02 1:52.47 Lenny Krayzelburg  United States 18 November 1999 World Cup meet College Park, United States [16]
03 1:52.43 Lenny Krayzelburg  United States 6 February 2000 World Cup meet Berlin, Germany [17]
04 1:51.62 Matt Welsh Australia Australia 13 October 2000 ? Melbourne, Australia
05 1:51.62 = Gordan Kožulj Croatia Croatia 21 January 2001 World Cup meet Berlin, Germany
06 1:51.17 Aaron Peirsol  United States 7 April 2002 Short Course Worlds Moscow, Russia
07 1:50.52 Aaron Peirsol  United States 11 October 2004 Short Course Worlds Indianapolis, United States
08 1:50.43 Markus Rogan Austria Austria 8 December 2005 Short Course Europeans Trieste, Italy
09 1:49.05 Ryan Lochte  United States 9 April 2006 Short Course Worlds Shanghai, China
10 1:47.84 Markus Rogan Austria Austria 13 April 2008 Short Course Worlds Manchester, United Kingdom
11 1:47.08 George Du Rand South Africa South Africa 7 November 2009 World Cup meet Moscow, Russia
12 1:46.11 Arkady Vyatchanin Russia Russia 15 November 2009 World Cup meet Berlin, Germany
13 1:45.63 Mitch Larkin Australia Australia 27 November 2015 Australian Championships Sydney, Australia [18]
Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by FINA;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; † – en route to final mark; tt – time trial

Women

Long course

Old Regulations

No Time Name Nationality Date Location
1 3'06"8 Sybil Bauer  United States 4 July 1922 Brighton Beach, United States
2 3'03"8 Sybil Bauer  United States 9 February 1924 Miami, United States
3 2'59"2 Marie Braun  Netherlands 24 November 1928 Brussels, Belgium
4 2'58"8 Eleanor Holm  United States 1 February 1930 Buffalo, United States
5 2'58"2 Eleanor Holm  United States 1 March 1930 New York City, United States
6 2'50"4 Phyllis Harding  United Kingdom 19 September 1932 Wallasey, United Kingdom
7 2'49"6 Rie Mastenbroek  Netherlands 20 January 1935 Amsterdam, Netherlands
8 2'48"7 Eleanor Holm  United States 3 March 1936 Toledo, United States
9 2'44"6 Nida Senff  Netherlands 2 February 1937 Amsterdam, Netherlands
10 2'41"3 Ragnhild Hveger  Denmark 14 February 1937 Århus, Denmark
11 2'41"0 Cor Kint  Netherlands 17 April 1938 Århus, Denmark
12 2'40"6 Iet van Feggelen  Netherlands 26 October 1938 Düsseldorf, Germany
13 2'39"0 Iet van Feggelen  Netherlands 18 December 1938 Amsterdam, Netherlands
14 2'38"8 Cor Kint  Netherlands 29 November 1939 Rotterdam, Netherlands
15 2'35"3 Geertje Wielema  Netherlands 2 April 1950 Hilversum, Netherlands

New Regulations

# Time Name Nationality Date Meet Location Ref
01 2:39.9 Philippa Gould New Zealand New Zealand 16 Jan 1957 ? Auckland, New Zealand [19]
02 2:38.5 Lenie de Nijs  Netherlands 17 May 1957 ? Blackpool, United Kingdom
03 2:37.4 Chris von Saltza  USA 1 Aug 1958 ? Topeka, United States
04 2:37.1 Satoko Tanaka  Japan 12 Jul 1959 ? Tokyo, Japan
05 2:34.8 Satoko Tanaka  Japan 2 Apr 1960 ? Tokyo, Japan
06 2:33.5 Lynn Burke  USA 15 Jul 1960 ? Indianapolis, United States
07 2:33.3 Satoko Tanaka  Japan 23 Jul 1960 ? Tokyo, Japan
08 2:33.2 Satoko Tanaka  Japan 30 Jul 1961 ? Tokyo, Japan
09 2:32.1 Satoko Tanaka  Japan 3 Jun 1962 ? Beppu, Japan
10 2:31.6 Satoko Tanaka  Japan 29 Jul 1962 ? Osaka, Japan
11 2:29.6 Satoko Tanaka  Japan 10 Feb 1963 ? Sydney, Australia
12 2:28.9 Satoko Tanaka  Japan 18 Feb 1963 ? Perth, Australia
13 2:28.5 Satoko Tanaka  Japan 21 Feb 1963 ? Perth, Australia
14 2:28.2 Satoko Tanaka  Japan 4 Aug 1963 ? Tokyo, Japan
15 2:27.4 Cathy Ferguson  USA 28 Sep 1964 ? Los Angeles, United States
16 2:27.1 Karen Muir South Africa South Africa 25 Jul 1966 ? Béziers, France
17 2:26.4 Karen Muir South Africa South Africa 18 Aug 1966 ? Lincoln, United States
18 2:24.4 Elaine Tanner  Canada 26 Jul 1967 Pan American Games Winnipeg, Canada
19 2:24.1 Karen Muir South Africa South Africa 6 Jan 1968 ? Kimberley, South Africa
20 2:23.8 Karen Muir South Africa South Africa 21 Jul 1968 ? Los Angeles, United States
21 2:21.5 Susie Atwood  USA 14 Aug 1969 AAU Nationals Louisville, United States
22 2:20.64 Melissa Belote  USA 5 Aug 1972 USA Olympic Trials Chicago, United States
23 2:20.58 Melissa Belote  USA 4 Sep 1972 Olympic Games Munich, West Germany
24 2:19.19 Melissa Belote  USA 4 Sep 1972 Olympic Games Munich, West Germany
25 2:18.41 Ulrike Richter East Germany East Germany 7 Jul 1974 GDR Nationals/ECTs Rostock, East Germany
26 2:17.35 Ulrike Richter East Germany East Germany 25 Aug 1974 European Championships Vienna, Austria
27 2:16.33 Nancy Garapick  Canada 27 Apr 1975 Eastern Championships Brantford, Canada
28 2:16.10 Birgit Treiber East Germany East Germany 6 Jun 1975 GDR Nationals/WCTs Wittenberg, East Germany
29 2:15.46 Birgit Treiber East Germany East Germany 27 Jul 1975 World Championships Cali, Colombia
30 2:14.41 Antje Stille East Germany East Germany 29 Feb 1976 GDR Winter Nationals East Berlin, East Germany
31 2:13.50 Antje Stille East Germany East Germany 13 Mar 1976 URS vs GDR Duel Tallinn, Soviet Union
32 2:12.47 Birgit Treiber East Germany East Germany 4 Jun 1976 GDR Olympic Trials East Berlin, East Germany
33 2:11.93 Linda Jezek  USA 28 Aug 1978 World Championships West Berlin, West Germany
34 2:11.77 Rica Reinisch East Germany East Germany 27 Jul 1980 Olympic Games Moscow, Soviet Union
35 2:09.91 Cornelia Sirch East Germany East Germany 8 Aug 1982 World Championships Guayaquil, Ecuador
36 2:08.60 Betsy Mitchell  USA 27 Jun 1986 U.S. Swimming World Championship Trials Orlando, United States
37 2:06.62 Krisztina Egerszegi Hungary Hungary 25 Aug 1991 European Championships Athens, Greece
38 2:06.39 Kirsty Coventry Zimbabwe Zimbabwe 16 Feb 2008 USA Grand Prix meet-Missouri Columbia, United States
39 2:06.09 Margaret Hoelzer  USA 5 Jul 2008 USA Olympic Trials Omaha, United States
40 2:05.24 Kirsty Coventry Zimbabwe Zimbabwe 16 Aug 2008 Olympic Games Beijing, China [20]
41 2:04.81 Kirsty Coventry Zimbabwe Zimbabwe 1 Aug 2009 World Championships Rome, Italy
42 2:04.06 Missy Franklin  USA 3 Aug 2012 2012 Summer Olympics London, United Kingdom
43 2:03.35 sf Regan Smith  United States 26 Jul 2019 World Championships Gwangju, South Korea [21]
44 2:03.14 Kaylee McKeown  Australia 10 Mar 2023 NSW State Championships Sydney, Australia [22]
Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by FINA;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; † – en route to final mark; tt – time trial

Short course

# Time Name Nationality Date Meet Location Ref
WBT ? ? ? 1 March 1991 World Cup Berlin, Germany
01 2:07.11 Anna Simcic  New Zealand 1 February 1992 World Cup Paris, France [1]
02 2:06.09 Cihong He  China 5 December 1993 World Championships Palma de Mallorca, Spain [23]
03 2:05.83 Clementine Stoney  Australia 4 August 2001 Australian Championships Perth, Australia [23]
04 2:04.44 Sarah Price  Great Britain 5 August 2001 Australian Championships Perth, Australia [23]
05 2:03.62 Natalie Coughlin  United States 27 November 2001 World Cup East Meadow, United States
06 2:03.24 Reiko Nakamura  Japan 23 February 2008 Japan Open 2008 Tokyo, Japan
07 2:00.91 Kirsty Coventry  Zimbabwe 11 April 2008 World Championships Manchester, United Kingdom
08 2:00.18 Shiho Sakai  Japan 14 November 2009 World Cup Berlin, Germany
09 2:00.03 Missy Franklin  United States 22 October 2011 World Cup Berlin, Germany
10 1:59.23 Katinka Hosszú  Hungary 5 December 2014 World Championships Doha, Qatar [24]
11 1:58.94 Kaylee McKeown  Australia 28 November 2020 Australian Championships Brisbane, Australia [25]
Legend: # – Record awaiting ratification by FINA;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; † – en route to final mark; tt – time trial

All-time top 25

Men long course

  • Correct as of August 2024[26]
Pos Time Swimmer Date Venue Ref
1 1:51.92  Aaron Peirsol (USA) 31 July 2009 Rome
2 1:52.51  Ryosuke Irie (JPN) 31 July 2009 Rome
3 1:52.96  Ryan Lochte (USA) 29 July 2011 Shanghai
4 1:53.17  Mitch Larkin (AUS) 7 November 2015 Dubai
5 1:53.23  Evgeny Rylov (RUS) 8 April 2021 Kazan [27]
6 1:53.41  Tyler Clary (USA) 2 August 2012 London
7 1:53.57  Ryan Murphy (USA) 9 August 2018 Tokyo
8 1:53.99  Xu Jiayu (CHN) 23 August 2018 Jakarta
9 1:54.14  Hubert Kós (HUN) 28 July 2023 Fukuoka [28]
10 1:54.23  Kosuke Hagino (JPN) 10 April 2014 Tokyo
11 1:54.24  Radosław Kawęcki (POL) 2 August 2013 Barcelona
12 1:54.43  Luke Greenbank (GBR) 21 May 2021 Budapest [29]
13 1:54.51  Hugo González (ESP) 20 June 2024 Palma [30]
14 1:54.59  Nick Thoman (USA) 5 August 2009 Federal Way
15 1:54.61  Keaton Jones (USA) 20 June 2024 Indianapolis [31]
16 1:54.65  Michael Phelps (USA) 31 July 2007 Indianapolis
17 1:54.75  Arkady Vyatchanin (RUS) 31 July 2009 Rome
18 1:54.77  Jacob Pebley (USA) 1 July 2016 Omaha
19 1:54.78  Jack Aikins (USA) 20 June 2024 Indianapolis [32]
20 1:54.79  Bryce Mefford (USA) 18 June 2021 Omaha
21 1:54.82  Apostolos Christou (GRE) 1 August 2024 Paris [33]
22 1:54.85  Roman Mityukov (SUI) 1 August 2024 Paris [34]
23 1:54.92  Aschwin Wildeboer (ESP) 31 July 2009 Rome
24 1:55.14  Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) 28 July 2017 Budapest
25 1:55.25  Stanislav Donets (RUS) 30 July 2009 Rome

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:55.25:

  • Ryosuke Irie also swam 1:52.86 (2009), 1:53.26 (2014), 1:53.73 (2009), 1:53.78 (2012), 1:53.91 (2014), 1:54.02 (2009, 2012), 1:54.03 (2012), 1:54.08 (2011), 1:54.09 (2009), 1:54.11 (2011), 1:54.13 (2009), 1:54.14 (2009), 1:54.34 (2011), 1:54.36 (2009), 1:54.54 (2011), 1:54.55 (2011), 1:54.62 (2011, 2015), 1:54.63 (2014), 1:54.72 (2013), 1:54.74 (2009), 1:54.77 (2008), 1:54.80 (2012), 1:54.81 (2014, 2015), 1:54.91 (2014), 1:54.93 (2015), 1:54.97 (2014), 1:55.05 (2012), 1:55.07 (2013), 1:55.10 (2014), 1:55.11 (2018), 1:55.12 (2018), 1:55.14 (2014), 1:55.20 (2009), 1:55.21 (2010), 1:55.23 (2015).
  • Aaron Peirsol also swam 1:53.08 (2009), 1:54.06 (2009), 1:54.32 (2008), 1:54.33 (2008), 1:54.44 (2006), 1:54.66 (2005), 1:54.74 (2004), 1:54.77 (2007), 1:54.80 (2007), 1:54.95 (2004), 1:55.13 (2005), 1:55.14 (2004), 1:55.15 (2002).
  • Evgeny Rylov also swam 1:53.27 (2021), 1:53.36 (2018), 1:53.40 (2019), 1:53.61 (2017), 1:53.71 (2018), 1:53.81 (2017), 1:53.97 (2016), 1:54.00 (2019), 1:54.21 (2016), 1:54.45 (2016, 2021), 1:54.46 (2021), 1:54.60 (2015), 1:54.76 (2016), 1:54.96 (2017), 1:55.02 (2016), 1:55.11 (2021).
  • Mitch Larkin also swam 1:53.34 (2015), 1:53.58 (2015), 1:53.72 (2015), 1:53.80 (2015), 1:53.90 (2016), 1:53.96 (2016), 1:54.29 (2015), 1:54.38 (2021), 1:54.68 (2016), 1:54.73 (2016), 1:55.03 (2019), 1:55.08 (2016), 1:55.16 (2016).
  • Ryan Murphy also swam 1:53.62 (2016), 1:53.95 (2016), 1:54.07 (2018), 1:54.12 (2019), 1:54.15 (2018, 2021), 1:54.20 (2021), 1:54.21 (2017), 1:54.30 (2017), 1:54.33 (2024), 1:54.52 (2022), 1:54.83 (2023), 1:54.93 (2017), 1:54.94 (2016), 1:55.00 (2015), 1:55.01 (2022), 1:55.03 (2023), 1:55.04 (2016), 1:55.10 (2015), 1:55.15 (2016), 1:55.22 (2020).
  • Ryan Lochte also swam 1:53.79 (2013), 1:53.82 (2009), 1:53.94 (2008, 2012), 1:54.12 (2010), 1:54.21 (2009), 1:54.32 (2007), 1:54.34 (2008), 1:54.54 (2012), 1:55.16 (2013).
  • Xu Jiayu also swam 1:54.03 (2017), 1:54.79 (2016, 2017), 1:55.04 (2017), 1:55.05 (2014), 1:55.11 (2014), 1:55.13 (2015), 1:55.16 (2016), 1:55.19 (2016), 1:55.20 (2015), 1:55.24 (2019).
  • Hubert Kós also swam 1:54.26 (2024).
  • Tyler Clary also swam 1:54.53 (2009), 1:54.64 (2013), 1:54.69 (2011), 1:54.71 (2012), 1:54.73 (2014), 1:54.88 (2012), 1:54.90 (2010), 1:54.91 (2014), 1:55.16 (2013).
  • Radosław Kawęcki also swam 1:54.55 (2015).
  • Luke Greenbank also swam 1:54.62 (2021), 1:54.63 (2021), 1:54.67 (2021), 1:54.72 (2021), 1:54.98 (2021), 1:55.16 (2022).
  • Kosuke Hagino also swam 1:54.77 (2014), 1:55.12 (2013).
  • Jacob Pebley also swam 1:54.78 (2017), 1:54.92 (2016), 1:55.06 (2017), 1:55.18 (2016), 1:55.20 (2017).
  • Nick Thoman also swam 1:54.83 (2009).
  • Arkady Vyatchanin also swam 1:54.90 (2009), 1:54.93 (2008).
  • Aschwin Wildeboer also swam 1:54.96 (2009).
  • Kliment Kolesnikov also swam 1:55.15 (2017).

Men short course

  • Correct as of October 2024[35]
Pos Time Swimmer Date Venue Ref
1 1:45.63  Mitch Larkin (AUS) 27 November 2015 Sydney [36]
2 1:46.11  Arkady Vyatchanin (RUS) 15 November 2009 Berlin [37]
3 1:46.37  Evgeny Rylov (RUS) 21 November 2020 Budapest
4 1:46.68  Ryan Lochte (USA) 19 December 2010 Dubai
5 1:47.08  George Du Rand (RSA) 7 November 2009 Moscow
6 1:47.34  Ryan Murphy (USA) 16 December 2018 Hangzhou
7 1:47.38  Radosław Kawęcki (POL) 7 December 2014 Doha
8 1:47.64  Markus Rogan (AUT) 11 November 2009 Stockholm
9 1:48.01  Shaine Casas (USA) 18 December 2022 Melbourne [38]
10 1:48.02  Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) 13 December 2017 Copenhagen
11 1:48.25  Masaki Kaneko (JPN) 17 January 2016 Tokyo
12 1:48.32  Xu Jiayu (CHN) 9 November 2018 Tokyo
13 1:48.43  Lorenzo Mora (ITA) 10 December 2023 Otopeni [39]
14 1:48.53  Luke Greenbank (GBR) 10 December 2023 Otopeni [40]
15 1:48.55  Mewen Tomac (FRA) 10 December 2023 Otopeni [41]
16 1:48.59  Jacob Pebley (USA) 29 September 2021 Naples [42]
17 1:48.60  Tyler Clary (USA) 11 August 2013 Berlin
18 1:48.62  Stanislav Donets (RUS) 10 December 2009 Istanbul
19 1:48.74  Matt Grevers (USA) 18 December 2009 Manchester
20 1:48.77  Ryosuke Irie (JPN) 7 December 2014 Doha
21 1:48.97  Christian Diener (GER) 21 December 2021 Abu Dhabi [43]
22 1:48.98  Yuki Shirai (JPN) 15 February 2014 Tokyo
23 1:49.06  Danas Rapsys (LTU) 13 December 2017 Copenhagen
24 1:49.09  Jakub Skierka (POL) 18 December 2020 Olsztyn
25 1:49.12  Pieter Coetze (RSA) 18 October 2024 Shanghai [44]

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:49.12:

  • Arkady Vyatchanin also swam 1:46.41 (2009), 1:47.66 (2009), 1:48.69 (2009).
  • Evgeny Rylov also swam 1:47.02 (2018), 1:47.88 (2021), 1:48.31 (2020), 1:48.62 (2020), 1:48.69 (2020), 1:48.91 (2019).
  • Mitch Larkin also swam 1:47.41 (2016), 1:47.72 (2014), 1:48.25 (2018), 1:48.31 (2016), 1:48.35 (2014), 1:48.51 (2018), 1:48.69 (2014), 1:48.78 (2015), 1:48.81 (2016), 1:49.07 (2018).
  • Ryan Murphy also swam 1:47.41 (2020, 2022), 1:47.48 (2020), 1:48.03 (2020), 1:48.10 (2021), 1:48.12 (2021), 1:48.40 (2020), 1:48.43 (2021), 1:48.60 (2020), 1:48.73 (2020), 1:48.81 (2020), 1:48.86 (2012).
  • Radosław Kawęcki also swam 1:47.63 (2013, 2016), 1:47.90 (2020), 1:48.12 (2020), 1:48.20 (2017), 1:48.23 (2020), 1:48.25 (2018), 1:48.32 (2015), 1:48.33 (2015), 1:48.46 (2017, 2021), 1:48.48 (2012), 1:48.51 (2012, 2020, 2020), 1:48.54 (2013), 1:48.68 (2021), 1:48.79 (2020), 1:48.86 (2020), 1:48.93 (2013), 1:48.96 (2017), 1:49.08 (2016).
  • Markus Rogan also swam 1:47.84 (2008), 1:48.14 (2009).
  • Ryan Lochte also swam 1:47.91 (2008), 1:48.20 (2014), 1:48.50 (2012), 1:48.90 (2011), 1:49.05 (2006).
  • George Du Rand also swam 1:48.05 (2009), 1:48.95 (2009).
  • Shaine Casas also swam 1:48.40 (2022), 1:48.81 (2021), 1:48.99 (2022).
  • Lorenzo Mora also swam 1:48.45 (2022), 1:48.72 (2022).
  • Luke Greenbank also swam 1:48.65 (2020).
  • Matt Grevers also swam 1:48.97 (2015).
  • Christian Diener also swam 1:49.04 (2021).
  • Kliment Kolesnikov also swam 1:49.06 (2020).
  • Masaki Kaneko also swam 1:49.11 (2017).

Women long course

  • Correct as of June 2024[45]
Pos Time Swimmer Date Venue Ref
1 2:03.14  Kaylee McKeown (AUS) 10 March 2023 Sydney [46]
2 2:03.35  Regan Smith (USA) 26 July 2019 Gwangju
3 2:04.06  Missy Franklin (USA) 3 August 2012 London
4 2:04.81  Kirsty Coventry (ZIM) 1 August 2009 Rome
5 2:04.94  Anastasia Fesikova (RUS) 1 August 2009 Rome
6 2:05.08  Phoebe Bacon (USA) 27 April 2022 Greensboro [47]
7 2:05.13  Rhyan White (USA) 27 April 2022 Greensboro [47]
8 2:05.42  Kylie Masse (CAN) 31 July 2021 Tokyo [48]
9 2:05.56  Margherita Panziera (ITA) 31 March 2021 Riccione [49]
10 2:05.68  Emily Seebohm (AUS) 29 July 2017 Budapest
11 2:05.77  Claire Curzan (USA) 17 February 2024 Doha [50]
12 2:05.85  Katinka Hosszú (HUN) 29 July 2017 Budapest
13 2:05.99  Maya DiRado (USA) 12 August 2016 Rio de Janeiro
14 2:06.06  Belinda Hocking (AUS) 30 July 2011 Shanghai
15 2:06.09  Margaret Hoelzer (USA) 29 June 2008 Omaha
16 2:06.14  Kathleen Baker (USA) 9 August 2018 Tokyo
17 2:06.18  Elizabeth Beisel (USA) 2 August 2012 London
18 2:06.29  Elizabeth Pelton (USA) 25 June 2013 Indianapolis
19 2:06.36  Taylor Ruck (CAN) 2 March 2018 Atlanta
20 2:06.46  Zhao Jing (CHN) 13 November 2010 Guangzhou
21 2:06.54  Kennedy Noble (USA) 28 June 2023 Indianapolis [51]
22 2:06.62  Krisztina Egerszegi (HUN) 25 August 1991 Athens
23 2:06.64  Laure Manaudou (FRA) 26 April 2008 Dunkirk
24 2:06.66  Gemma Spofforth (GBR) 1 August 2009 Rome
25 2:06.74  Peng Xuwei (CHN) 29 July 2023 Fukuoka [52]

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 2:06.74:

  • Kaylee McKeown also swam 2:03.30 (2024), 2:03.70 (2023), 2:03.73 (2024), 2:03.84 (2024), 2:03.85 (2023), 2:04.18 (2023), 2:04.21 (2024), 2:04.28 (2021), 2:04.31 (2021), 2:04.49 (2020), 2:04.64 (2022), 2:04.68 (2021), 2:04.81 (2023), 2:05.08 (2022), 2:05.16 (2020), 2:05.31 (2022), 2:05.51 (2021), 2:05.55 (2021), 2:05.60 (2022), 2:05.66 (2021), 2:05.83 (2020), 2:05.85 (2022), 2:06.02 (2023), 2:06.26 (2019), 2:06.35 (2019), 2:06.38 (2020), 2:06.41 (2022), 2:06.47 (2023).
  • Regan Smith also swam 2:03.69 (2019), 2:03.80 (2023), 2:03.99 (2024), 2:04.26 (2024), 2:04.27 (2023), 2:04.76 (2023), 2:04.94 (2023), 2:05.16 (2024), 2:05.28 (2022), 2:05.34 (2023), 2:05.46 (2024), 2:05.65 (2022), 2:05.94 (2020), 2:06.01 (2019), 2:06.16 (2020), 2:06.41 (2024), 2:06.43 (2018), 2:06.46 (2018), 2:06.47 (2019).
  • Missy Franklin also swam 2:04.76 (2013), 2:05.10 (2011), 2:05.68 (2013), 2:05.90 (2011), 2:06.12 (2012), 2:06.33 (2013), 2:06.34 (2015), 2:06.46 (2013).
  • Phoebe Bacon also swam 2:05.12 (2022), 2:05.61 (2024), 2:05.93 (2022), 2:06.27 (2024), 2:06.40 (2021), 2:06.46 (2021), 2:06.59 (2023).
  • Kirsty Coventry also swam 2:05.24 (2008), 2:05.86 (2009), 2:06.39 (2008), 2:06.72 (2009).
  • Kylie Masse also swam 2:05.57 (2024), 2:05.94 (2019), 2:05.97 (2017), 2:05.98 (2018), 2:06.24 (2024), 2:06.57 (2019), 2:06.62 (2019), 2:06.67 (2021).
  • Margherita Panziera also swam 2:05.72 (2019), 2:06.08 (2021), 2:06.18 (2018), 2:06.41 (2019), 2:06.59 (2019), 2:06.62 (2019), 2:06.64 (2019), 2:06.67 (2019).
  • Rhyan White also swam 2:05.73 (2021), 2:05.77 (2023), 2:06.39 (2021).
  • Emily Seebohm also swam 2:05.81 (2015, 2017), 2:06.17 (2021), 2:06.38 (2021), 2:06.56 (2015), 2:06.59 (2016), 2:06.66 (2017), 2:06.69 (2015).
  • Anastasia Fesikova also swam 2:05.92 (2012), 2:06.59 (2012).
  • Katinka Hosszú also swam 2:06.03 (2016), 2:06.05 (2016), 2:06.09 (2016), 2:06.18 (2015).
  • Margaret Hoelzer also swam 2:06.23 (2008).
  • Claire Curzan also swam 2:06.34 (2024), 2:06.35 (2023), 2:06.39 (2023).
  • Kathleen Baker also swam 2:06.38 (2017), 2:06.43 (2018), 2:06.46 (2020), 2:06.48 (2017), 2:06.66 (2017).
  • Elizabeth Beisel also swam 2:06.39 (2009), 2:06.55 (2012).
  • Belinda Hocking also swam 2:06.40 (2014), 2:06.49 (2016), 2:06.66 (2013), 2:06.68 (2012).
  • Taylor Ruck also swam 2:06.41 (2018), 2:06.42 (2018), 2:06.70 (2019).

Women short course

  • Correct as of October 2024[53]
Pos Time Swimmer Date Venue Ref
1 1:58.94  Kaylee McKeown (AUS) 28 November 2020 Brisbane
2 1:59.23  Katinka Hosszú (HUN) 5 December 2014 Doha
3 1:59.25  Minna Atherton (AUS) 23 November 2019 London
4 1:59.35  Daryna Zevina (UKR) 26 August 2016 Chartres
5 1:59.49  Emily Seebohm (AUS) 26 November 2015 Sydney
6 1:59.60  Regan Smith (USA) 26 October 2024 Incheon [54]
7 2:00.03  Missy Franklin (USA) 22 October 2011 Berlin
8 2:00.15  Anastasiya Shkurdai (BLR) 10 November 2023 Brest [55]
9 2:00.18  Shiho Sakai (JPN) 14 November 2009 Berlin
10 2:00.27  Beata Nelson (USA) 22 November 2020 Budapest
11 2:00.53  Claire Curzan (USA) 18 December 2022 Melbourne [56]
12 2:00.69  Kathleen Baker (USA) 6 October 2018 Budapest
13 2:00.71  Lisa Bratton (USA) 13 December 2018 Hangzhou
14 2:00.83  Elizabeth Simmonds (GBR) 16 December 2011 Atlanta
15 2:00.91  Kirsty Coventry (ZIM) 11 April 2008 Manchester
16 2:01.24  Belinda Hocking (AUS) 22 October 2011 Berlin
17 2:01.26  Kira Toussaint (NED) 4 November 2021 Kazan [57]
 Kylie Masse (CAN) 18 December 2022 Melbourne [58]
19 2:01.29  Amy Bilquist (USA) 30 October 2020 Budapest
20 2:01.33  Courtney Bartholomew (USA) 11 December 2015 Indianapolis
21 2:01.45  Margherita Panziera (ITA) 6 December 2019 Glasgow
22 2:01.57  Daria Ustinova (RUS) 4 December 2015 Netanya
23 2:01.58  Rhyan White (USA) 19 December 2021 Abu Dhabi [59]
24 2:01.64  Bella Sims (USA) 5 November 2022 Indianapolis [60]
25 2:01.66  Taylor Ruck (CAN) 20 December 2017 Lausanne

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 2:01.66:

  • Kaylee McKeown also swam 1:59.26 (2022), 1:59.48 (2022).
  • Minna Atherton also swam 1:59.48 (2019), 2:00.58 (2019), 2:01.59 (2019).
  • Katinka Hosszú also swam 1:59.75 (2015), 1:59.84 (2015), 1:59.95 (2015), 2:00.05 (2017), 2:00.18 (2017), 2:00.37 (2017), 2:00.52 (2016), 2:00.53 (2017), 2:00.79 (2016), 2:00.85 (2014), 2:01.00 (2018), 2:01.17 (2014), 2:01.24 (2016), 2:01.48 (2016), 2:01.59 (2017), 2:01.60 (2014), 2:01.66 (2016).
  • Emily Seebohm also swam 1:59.94 (2018), 2:00.13 (2014), 2:00.65 (2017), 2:01.04 (2020), 2:01.13 (2018), 2:01.15 (2017), 2:01.16 (2020), 2:01.37 (2018), 2:01.41 (2017), 2:01.56 (2020), 2:01.58 (2016), 2:01.60 (2018).
  • Missy Franklin also swam 2:00.14 (2011), 2:01.53 (2015).
  • Beata Nelson also swam 2:00.33 (2021), 2:00.43 (2022), 2:01.31 (2020), 2:01.65 (2020).
  • Regan Smith also swam 2:00.42 (2024).
  • Daryna Zevina also swam 2:00.47 (2016), 2:00.75 (2016), 2:00.81 (2013), 2:00.97 (2016), 2:01.17 (2013), 2:01.25 (2016), 2:01.47 (2013), 2:01.61 (2016), 2:01.62 (2013), 2:01.66 (2013).
  • Kathleen Baker also swam 2:00.79 (2018), 2:00.85 (2018), 2:01.22 (2019), 2:01.57 (2019).
  • Elizabeth Simmonds also swam 2:00.91 (2015), 2:01.48 (2009).
  • Lisa Bratton also swam 2:00.99 (2020), 2:01.00 (2018), 2:01.61 (2020).
  • Belinda Hocking also swam 2:01.30 (2011).
  • Anastasiya Shkurdai also swam 2:01.31 (2024), 2:01.51 (2021, 2024).
  • Kylie Masse also swam 2:01.45 (2021).
  • Margherita Panziera also swam 2:01.56 (2018).
  • Amy Bilquist also swam 2:01.61 (2019).

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