# World record progression 100 metres freestyle

"none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]]
The first world record in the 100 metres freestyle in long course (50 metres) swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) in 1905. In the short course (25 metres) swimming events, the world's governing body recognizes world records since 3 March 1991.
Times have consistently dropped over the years due to better training techniques, new developments in the sport and swimwear changes (e.g. goggles were not widely used until the 1970s, providing for considerable expansion of practice/training time).
In the first four Olympics, competitions were not held in pools, but rather in open water (1896 – The Mediterranean Sea, 1900 – The Seine River, 1904 – an artificial lake, 1906 – The Mediterranean Sea). The 1904 Olympics freestyle race was the only one ever measured at 100 yards, instead of the usual 100 metres. A 100-metre pool was built for the 1908 Olympics and sat in the centre of the main stadium's track and field oval. The 1912 Olympics, held in the Stockholm harbour, marked the beginning of electronic timing.
Male swimmers wore full body suits up until the 1940s, which caused more drag in the water than their modern swim-wear counterparts. Also, over the years, pool designs have lessened the drag. Some design considerations allow for the reduction of swimming resistance making the pool faster. Namely, proper pool depth, elimination of currents, increased lane width, energy absorbing racing lane lines and gutters, and the use of other innovative hydraulic, acoustic and illumination designs.
In 2008, leading up to the Olympics, Speedo introduced a 50% Polyurethane suit dubbed LZR. Pure polyurethane suits from Arena (X-Glide), Adidas (Hydrofoil) and Italian suit manufacturer, Jaked were thought to be largely responsible for the multiple World Records in 2009 including at the 2009 World Aquatics Championships (dubbed the "Plastic Games"). FINA announced a ban on non-textile suits that took effect in January 2010.
The 1924 Summer Olympics were the first to use the standard 50 metre pool with marked lanes. In the freestyle, swimmers originally dived from the pool walls, but diving blocks were eventually incorporated at the 1936 Summer Olympics. The tumble turn ("flip-turn") was developed by the 1950s.

## Men
### Long course

| # | Time | | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location |
| 1 | 1:05.8 | | Zoltán Halmay | Hungary | 3 Dec 1905 | – | Vienna, Austria |
| 2 | 1:05.6 | | Charles Daniels | United States | 20 Jul 1908 | Olympic Games | London, United Kingdom |
| 3 | 1:02.8 | tt | Charles Daniels | United States | 15 Apr 1910 | Special record attempt by the New York AC | New York City, United States |
| 4 | 1:02.4 | | Kurt Bretting | Germany | 6 Apr 1912 | – | Brussels, Belgium |
| 5 | 1:01.6 | | Duke Kahanamoku | United States | 20 Jul 1912 | German Championships | Hamburg, Germany |
| 6 | 1:01.4 | | Duke Kahanamoku | United States | 9 Aug 1918 | International exhibition | New York City, United States |
| 7 | 1:00.4 | | Duke Kahanamoku | United States | 24 Aug 1920 | Olympic Games | Antwerp, Belgium |
| 8 | 58.6 | | Johnny Weissmuller | United States | 9 Jul 1922 | – | Alameda, California, United States |
| 9 | 57.4 | | Johnny Weissmuller | United States | 17 Feb 1924 | – | Miami, United States |
| 10 | 56.8 | | Peter Fick | United States | 2 Mar 1934 | Yale University Swimming Carnival | New Haven, United States |
| 11 | 56.6 | tt | Peter Fick | United States | 5 Mar 1935 | Yale University Swimming Carnival | New Haven, United States |
| 12 | 56.4 | | Peter Fick | United States | 11 Feb 1936 | Yale Benefit Event for the United States Olympic team | New Haven, United States |
| 13 | 55.9 | tt | Alan Ford | United States | 13 Apr 1944 | Special record attempt | New Haven, United States |
| 14 | 55.8 | | Alex Jany | France | 15 Sep 1947 | – | Menton, France |
| 15 | 55.4 | tt | Alan Ford | United States | 29 Jun 1948 | New Haven Swim Club team time trial | New Haven, United States |
| 16 | 54.8 | tt | Dick Cleveland | United States | 1 Apr 1954 | AAU Championships | New Haven, United States |
| 17 | 55.4 | | Jon Henricks | Australia | 30 Nov 1956 | Olympic Games | Melbourne, Australia |
| 18 | 55.2 | | John Devitt | Australia | 19 Jan 1957 | New South Wales State Championships | Sydney, Australia |
| 19 | 54.6 | | John Devitt | Australia | 28 Jan 1957 | Queensland State Championships | Brisbane, Australia |
| 20 | 54.4 | | Steve Clark | United States | 18 Aug 1961 | Men's NAAA Championships | Los Angeles, United States |
| 21 | 53.6 | tt | Manuel dos Santos | Brazil | 20 Sep 1961 | Special record attempt by the CR Guanabara | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| 22 | 52.9 | | Alain Gottvallès | France | 13 Sep 1964 | – | Budapest, Hungary |
| 22 | 52.9 | =, r | Steve Clark | United States | 14 Oct 1964 | Olympic Games | Tokyo, Japan |
| 23 | 52.6 | r | Ken Walsh | United States | 27 Jul 1967 | Pan American Games | Winnipeg, Canada |
| 23 | 52.6 | = | Zac Zorn | United States | 2 Sep 1968 | USA Olympic Trials (elec. 52.58) | Los Angeles, United States |
| 24 | 52.2 | | Michael Wenden | Australia | 19 Oct 1968 | Olympic Games | Mexico City, Mexico |
| 25 | 51.94 | h | Mark Spitz | United States | 23 Aug 1970 | AAU Championships | Los Angeles, United States |
| 26 | 51.47 | h | Mark Spitz | United States | 5 Aug 1972 | USA Olympic Trials | Chicago, United States |
| 27 | 51.22 | | Mark Spitz | United States | 3 Sep 1972 | Olympic Games | Munich, West Germany |
| 28 | 51.12 | h | Jim Montgomery | United States | 21 Jun 1975 | AAU World Championship Trials | Long Beach, United States |
| 29 | 51.11 | | Andy Coan | United States | 3 Aug 1975 | An Amateur Athletic Union Region Four meet | Fort Lauderdale, United States |
| 30 | 50.59 | sf | Jim Montgomery | United States | 23 Aug 1975 | AAU Championships | Kansas City, United States |
| 31 | 50.39 | sf | Jim Montgomery | United States | 24 Jul 1976 | Olympic Games | Montreal, Canada |
| 32 | 49.99 | | Jim Montgomery | United States | 25 Jul 1976 | Olympic Games | Montreal, Canada |
| 33 | 49.44 | | Jonty Skinner | South Africa | 14 Aug 1976 | AAU Championships | Philadelphia, United States |
| 34 | 49.36 | tt | Rowdy Gaines | United States | 3 Apr 1981 | Longhorn Invitational | Austin, United States |
| 35 | 49.24 | h | Matt Biondi | United States | 6 Aug 1985 | USA Summer Nationals | Mission Viejo, United States |
| 36 | 48.95 | | Matt Biondi | United States | 6 Aug 1985 | USA Summer Nationals | Mission Viejo, United States |
| 37 | 48.74 | | Matt Biondi | United States | 24 Jun 1986 | USA World Championships Trials | Orlando, United States |
| 38 | 48.42 | | Matt Biondi | United States | 10 Aug 1988 | USA Olympic Trials | Austin, United States |
| 39 | 48.21 | | Alexander Popov | Russia | 18 Jun 1994 | International Swimming Meeting of Monte Carlo | Monte-Carlo, Monaco |
| 40 | 48.18 | r | Michael Klim | Australia | 16 Sep 2000 | Olympic Games | Sydney, Australia |
| 41 | 47.84 | sf | Pieter van den Hoogenband | Netherlands | 19 Sep 2000 | Olympic Games | Sydney, Australia |
| 42 | 47.60 | sf | Alain Bernard | France | 21 Mar 2008 | European Championships | Eindhoven, Netherlands |
| 43 | 47.50 | | Alain Bernard | France | 22 Mar 2008 | European Championships | Eindhoven, Netherlands |
| 44 | 47.24 | r | Eamon Sullivan | Australia | 11 Aug 2008 | Olympic Games | Beijing, China |
| 45 | 47.20 | sf | Alain Bernard | France | 13 Aug 2008 | Olympic Games | Beijing, China |
| 46 | 47.05 | sf | Eamon Sullivan | Australia | 13 Aug 2008 | Olympic Games | Beijing, China |
| - | 46.94 | sf, * | Alain Bernard | France | 23 Apr 2009 | French National Championships | Montpellier, France |
| 47 | 46.91 | | César Cielo | Brazil | 30 Jul 2009 | World Championships | Rome, Italy |
| 48 | 46.86 | | David Popovici | Romania | 13 Aug 2022 | European Championships | Rome, Italy |
| 49 | 46.80 | r | Pan Zhanle | China | 11 Feb 2024 | World Championships | Doha, Qatar |
| 50 | 46.40 | | Pan Zhanle | China | 31 Jul 2024 | Olympic Games | Paris, France |
* Swim was never ratified by FINA as a world record since Bernard wore an unapproved swimsuit.

### Short course

| # | Time | | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location | Ref |
| WBT | 48.20 | | Michael Gross | West Germany | 11 Feb 1988 | ? | Offenbach, Germany | [49] [50] |
| 1 | 47.94 | | Gustavo Borges | Brazil | 2 Jul 1993 | Brazil Nationals | Santos, São Paulo, Brazil | |
| 2 | 47.83 | | Alexander Popov | Russia | 1 Jan 1994 | World Cup | Hong Kong, Hong Kong | |
| 3 | 47.82 | | Alexander Popov | Russia | 5 Jan 1994 | World Cup | Beijing, China | |
| 4 | 47.12 | | Alexander Popov | Russia | 12 Mar 1994 | World Cup | Desenzano del Garda, Italy | |
| 5 | 46.74 | | Alexander Popov | Russia | 19 Mar 1994 | World Cup | Gelsenkirchen, Germany | |
| 6 | 46.25 | | Ian Crocker | United States | 27 Mar 2004 | NCAA Men's Division 1 Championships | East Meadow, United States | |
| 6 | 46.25 | = | Roland Schoeman | South Africa | 22 Jan 2005 | World Cup | Berlin, Germany | |
| 7 | 45.83 | | Stefan Nystrand | Sweden | 17 Nov 2007 | World Cup | Berlin, Germany | |
| 8 | 45.69 | | Alain Bernard | France | 7 Dec 2008 | French SC Championships | Angers, France | link |
| 9 | 45.12 | sf | Amaury Leveaux | France | 12 Dec 2008 | European SC Championships | Rijeka, Croatia | |
| 10 | 44.94 | | Amaury Leveaux | France | 13 Dec 2008 | European SC Championships | Rijeka, Croatia | link |
| 11 | 44.84 | | Kyle Chalmers | Australia | 29 October 2021 | World Cup | Kazan, Russia | |

## Women
### Long course

| # | Time | | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location |
| 1 | 1:35.0 | | Martha Gerstung | Germany | 18 Oct 1908 | – | Magdeburg, Germany |
| 2 | 1:26.6 | | Claire Guttenstein | Belgium | 2 Oct 1910 | – | Schaerbeek, Belgium |
| 3 | 1:24.6 | | Daisy Curwen | Great Britain | 29 Sep 1911 | – | Liverpool, United Kingdom |
| 4 | 1:20.6 | | Daisy Curwen | Great Britain | 10 Jun 1912 | – | Birkenhead, United Kingdom |
| 5 | 1:19.8 | | Fanny Durack | Australia | 9 Jul 1912 | Olympic Games | Stockholm, Sweden |
| 6 | 1:18.8 | | Fanny Durack | Australia | 21 Jul 1912 | German Championships | Hamburg, Germany |
| 7 | 1:16.2 | | Fanny Durack | Australia | 6 Feb 1915 | NSW Ladies' Amateur Championships | Sydney, Australia |
| 8 | 1:14.4 | sf | Ethelda Bleibtrey | United States | 23 Aug 1920 | Olympic Games | Antwerp, Belgium |
| 9 | 1:13.6 | | Ethelda Bleibtrey | United States | 25 Aug 1920 | Olympic Games | Antwerp, Belgium |
| 10 | 1:12.8 | | Gertrude Ederle | United States | 30 Jun 1923 | – | Newark, New Jersey, United States |
| 11 | 1:12.2 | h | Mariechen Wehselau | United States | 19 Jul 1924 | Olympic Games | Paris, France |
| 12 | 1:10.0 | | Ethel Lackie | United States | 28 Jan 1926 | – | Toledo, Ohio, United States |
| 13 | 1:09.8 | | Eleanor Garatti | United States | 7 Aug 1929 | National AAU women's swimming meet | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| 14 | 1:09.4 | | Albina Osipowich | United States | 25 Aug 1929 | – | San Francisco, United States |
| 15 | 1:08.0 | | Helene Madison | United States | 14 Mar 1930 | National AAU Women's Indoor Swimming and Diving Championships | Miami Beach, United States |
| 16 | 1:06.6 | | Helene Madison | United States | 20 Apr 1931 | – | Boston, United States |
| 17 | 1:06.0 | | Willy den Ouden | Netherlands | 9 Jul 1933 | – | Antwerp, Belgium |
| 18 | 1:05.4 | | Willy den Ouden | Netherlands | 24 Feb 1934 | – | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| 19 | 1:04.8 | | Willy den Ouden | Netherlands | 15 Apr 1934 | – | Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| 20 | 1:04.6 | | Willy den Ouden | Netherlands | 27 Feb 1936 | – | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| 21 | 1:04.5 | | Dawn Fraser | Australia | 21 Feb 1956 | Australian Championships | Sydney, Australia |
| 22 | 1:04.2 | | Cocky Gastelaars | Netherlands | 3 Mar 1956 | – | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| 23 | 1:04.0 | | Cocky Gastelaars | Netherlands | 14 Apr 1956 | – | Schiedam, Netherlands |
| 24 | 1:03.3 | | Dawn Fraser | Australia | 25 Aug 1956 | Australian Olympic Squad Swimming Carnival | Townsville, Australia |
| 25 | 1:03.2 | | Lorraine Crapp | Australia | 20 Oct 1956 | Australian Olympic Squad Swimming Carnival | Sydney, Australia |
| 26 | 1:02.4 | | Lorraine Crapp | Australia | 25 Oct 1956 | Australian Olympic Trials | Melbourne, Australia |
| 27 | 1:02.0 | | Dawn Fraser | Australia | 1 Dec 1956 | Olympic Games | Melbourne, Australia |
| 28 | 1:01.5 | yd | Dawn Fraser | Australia | 18 Feb 1958 | Australian Championships | Melbourne, Australia |
| 29 | 1:01.4 | yd | Dawn Fraser | Australia | 21 Jul 1958 | British Empire & Commonwealth Games | Cardiff, United Kingdom |
| 30 | 1:01.2 | | Dawn Fraser | Australia | 10 Aug 1958 | – | Schiedam, Netherlands |
| 31 | 1:00.2 | yd | Dawn Fraser | Australia | 23 Feb 1960 | Australian Championships & Olympic Trials | Sydney, Australia |
| 32 | 1:00.0 | yd | Dawn Fraser | Australia | 23 Oct 1962 | Australian British Empire & Commonwealth Games Trials | Melbourne, Australia |
| 33 | 59.9 | yd | Dawn Fraser | Australia | 27 Oct 1962 | Australian British Empire & Commonwealth Games Trials | Melbourne, Australia |
| 34 | 59.5 | yd | Dawn Fraser | Australia | 24 Nov 1962 | British Empire & Commonwealth Games | Perth, Australia |
| 35 | 58.9 | | Dawn Fraser | Australia | 29 Feb 1964 | Australian Championships & Olympic Trials | Sydney, Australia |
| 35 | 58.9 | = | Shane Gould | Australia | 30 Apr 1971 | Coca-Cola International | London, United Kingdom |
| 36 | 58.5 | | Shane Gould | Australia | 8 Jan 1972 | New South Wales State Championships | Sydney, Australia |
| 37 | 58.25 | | Kornelia Ender | East Germany | 13 Jul 1973 | GDR Nationals & World Championship Trials | East Berlin, East Germany |
| 38 | 58.12 | | Kornelia Ender | East Germany | 18 Aug 1973 | – | Utrecht, Netherlands |
| 39 | 57.61 | r | Kornelia Ender | East Germany | 8 Sep 1973 | World Championships | Belgrade, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia |
| 40 | 57.54 | | Kornelia Ender | East Germany | 9 Sep 1973 | World Championships | Belgrade, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia |
| 41 | 57.51 | | Kornelia Ender | East Germany | 4 Jul 1974 | GDR Nationals & European Championship Trials | Rostock, East Germany |
| 42 | 56.96 | | Kornelia Ender | East Germany | 19 Aug 1974 | European Championships | Vienna, Austria |
| 43 | 56.38 | | Kornelia Ender | East Germany | 14 Mar 1975 | GDRvURS Duel | Dresden, East Germany |
| 44 | 56.22 | r | Kornelia Ender | East Germany | 26 Jul 1975 | World Championships | Cali, Colombia |
| 45 | 55.73 | | Kornelia Ender | East Germany | 1 Jun 1976 | GDR Olympic Trials | East Berlin, East Germany |
| 46 | 55.65 | | Kornelia Ender | East Germany | 19 Jul 1976 | Olympic Games | Montréal, Canada |
| 47 | 55.41 | | Barbara Krause | East Germany | 5 Jul 1978 | GDR Nationals & World Championship Trials | East Berlin, East Germany |
| 48 | 54.98 | h | Barbara Krause | East Germany | 20 Jul 1980 | Olympic Games | Moscow, Soviet Union |
| 49 | 54.79 | | Barbara Krause | East Germany | 21 Jul 1980 | Olympic Games | Moscow, Soviet Union |
| 50 | 54.73 | r | Kristin Otto | East Germany | 19 Aug 1986 | World Championships | Madrid, Spain |
| 51 | 54.48 | h | Jenny Thompson | United States | 1 Mar 1992 | USA Olympic Trials | Indianapolis, United States |
| 52 | 54.01 | | Jingyi Le | China | 5 Sep 1994 | World Championships | Rome, Italy |
| 53 | 53.80 | | Inge de Bruijn | Netherlands | 28 May 2000 | Super Speedo Grand Prix | Sheffield, United Kingdom |
| 54 | 53.77 | sf | Inge de Bruijn | Netherlands | 20 Sep 2000 | Olympic Games | Sydney, Australia |
| 55 | 53.66 | sf | Libby Lenton | Australia | 31 Mar 2004 | Australian Championships | Sydney, Australia |
| 56 | 53.52 | sf | Jodie Henry | Australia | 18 Aug 2004 | Olympic Games | Athens, Greece |
| 57 | 53.42 | sf | Libby Lenton | Australia | 31 Jan 2006 | Australian Championships | Melbourne, Australia |
| 58 | 53.30 | | Britta Steffen | Germany | 2 August 2006 | European Championships | Budapest, Hungary |
| 59 | 52.88 | | Libby Trickett | Australia | 27 Mar 2008 | Australian Championships | Sydney, Australia |
| 60 | 52.85 | h | Britta Steffen | Germany | 25 June 2009 | German Championships | Berlin, Germany |
| 61 | 52.56 | | Britta Steffen | Germany | 27 June 2009 | German Championships | Berlin, Germany |
| 62 | 52.22 | r | Britta Steffen | Germany | 26 July 2009 | World Championships | Rome, Italy |
| 63 | 52.07 | | Britta Steffen | Germany | 31 July 2009 | World Championships | Rome, Italy |
| 64 | 52.06 | | Cate Campbell | Australia | 2 July 2016 | Swimming Australia Grand Prix | Brisbane, Australia |
| 65 | 51.71 | r | Sarah Sjöström | Sweden | 23 July 2017 | World Championships | Budapest, Hungary |

### Short course

| # | Time | | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location | Ref |
| 1 | 53.46 | | Franziska van Almsick | Germany | 6 January 1993 | World Cup | Shanghai, China | |
| 2 | 53.33 | | Franziska van Almsick | Germany | 10 January 1993 | World Cup | Beijing, China | |
| 3 | 53.01 | | Jingyi Le | China | 2 December 1993 | World Championships | Palma de Mallorca, Spain | |
| 4 | 52.80 | | Therese Alshammar | Sweden | 10 December 1999 | European Championships | Lisbon, Portugal | |
| 5 | 52.17 | | Therese Alshammar | Sweden | 17 March 2000 | World Championships | Athens, Greece | |
| 6 | 51.91 | sf | Libby Lenton | Australia | 8 August 2005 | Australian Championships | | |
| 7 | 51.70 | | Libby Lenton | Australia | 9 August 2005 | Australian Championships | Melbourne, Australia | |
| 8 | 51.01 | | Libby Trickett | Australia | 10 August 2009 | Australian Championships | Hobart, Australia | |
| 9 | 50.91 | † | Cate Campbell | Australia | 28 November 2015 | Australian Championships | Sydney, Australia | |
| 10 | 50.77 | | Sarah Sjöström | Sweden | 3 August 2017 | World Cup | Moscow, Russia | |
| 11 | 50.58 | | Sarah Sjöström | Sweden | 11 August 2017 | World Cup | Eindhoven, Netherlands | link |
| 12 | 50.25 | | Cate Campbell | Australia | 26 October 2017 | Australian Championships | Adelaide, Australia | link |

## All-time top 25
### Men long course

* Correct as of December 2024
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 46.40 | Pan Zhanle (CHN) | 31 July 2024 | Paris |
| 2 | 46.86 | David Popovici (ROU) | 13 August 2022 | Rome |
| 3 | 46.91 | César Cielo (BRA) | 30 July 2009 | Rome |
| 4 | 46.94 | Alain Bernard (FRA) | 23 April 2009 | Montpellier |
| 5 | 46.96 | Caeleb Dressel (USA) | 25 July 2019 | Gwangju |
| 6 | 47.04 | Cameron McEvoy (AUS) | 10 April 2016 | Adelaide |
| 7 | 47.05 | Eamon Sullivan (AUS) | 13 August 2008 | Beijing |
| 8 | 47.08 | Kyle Chalmers (AUS) | 25 July 2019 | Gwangju |
| 8 | 47.08 | Kyle Chalmers (AUS) | 29 July 2021 | Tokyo |
| 8 | 47.08 | Jack Alexy (USA) | 18 June 2024 | Indianapolis |
| 10 | 47.10 | James Magnussen (AUS) | 19 March 2012 | Adelaide |
| 11 | 47.11 | Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) | 28 July 2021 | Tokyo |
| 12 | 47.15 | Frédérick Bousquet (FRA) | 24 April 2009 | Montpellier |
| 13 | 47.25 | Chris Guiliano (USA) | 18 June 2024 | Indianapolis |
| 14 | 47.27 | Brent Hayden (CAN) | 30 July 2009 | Rome |
| 15 | 47.33 | David Walters (USA) | 30 July 2009 | Rome |
| 15 | 47.33 | Maxime Grousset (FRA) | 18 June 2024 | Chartres |
| 17 | 47.37 | Stefan Nystrand (SWE) | 30 July 2009 | Rome |
| 18 | 47.39 | Ryan Held (USA) | 31 July 2019 | Stanford |
| 19 | 47.43 | Vladislav Grinev (RUS) | 9 April 2019 | Moscow |
| 20 | 47.45 | Alessandro Miressi (ITA) | 19 May 2021 | Budapest |
| 20 | 47.45 | Matt Richards (GBR) | 27 July 2023 | Fukuoka |
| 22 | 47.47 | Kristóf Milák (HUN) | 13 August 2022 | Rome |
| 23 | 47.49 | Nándor Németh (HUN) | 19 June 2024 | Belgrade |
| 24 | 47.51 | Michael Phelps (USA) | 11 August 2008 | Beijing |
| 25 | 47.52 | Nathan Adrian (USA) | 1 August 2012 | London |

#### Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 47.52:
* Pan Zhanle also swam 46.80 (2024), 46.92 (2024), 46.97 (2023, 2024), 47.06 (2023), 47.21 (2024), 47.22 (2023), 47.29 (2024), 47.43 (2023).
* David Popovici also swam 46.88 (2024), 46.98 (2022), 47.07 (2022), 47.13 (2022, 2022), 47.20 (2022), 47.22 (2024), 47.23 (2022), 47.30 (2021), 47.34 (2022), 47.37 (2022), 47.49 (2024).
* Caeleb Dressel also swam 47.02 (2021), 47.17 (2017), 47.22 (2017), 47.23 (2021), 47.26 (2017, 2021), 47.32 (2019), 47.34 (2019), 47.35 (2019), 47.39 (2021).
* César Cielo also swam 47.09 (2009), 47.13 (2009), 47.29 (2009), 47.39 (2009), 47.48 (2009).
* Alain Bernard also swam 47.12 (2009), 47.20 (2008), 47.21 (2008), 47.27 (2009), 47.50 (2008), 47.51 (2009).
* Kyle Chalmers also swam 47.15 (2023), 47.35 (2019), 47.36 (2022), 47.37 (2019), 47.44 (2023), 47.48 (2019, 2024), 47.51 (2022), 47.52 (2023).
* Eamon Sullivan also swam 47.24 (2008), 47.32 (2008), 47.52 (2008).
* Frédérick Bousquet also swam 47.25 (2009).
* Jack Alexy also swam 47.31 (2023), 47.33 (2024), 47.47 (2024).
* Kliment Kolesnikov also swam 47.31 (2021), 47.37 (2021), 47.44 (2021).
* Chris Guiliano also swam 47.38 (2024).
* Maxime Grousset also swam 47.42 (2023), 47.52 (2021).
* Ryan Held also swam 47.43 (2019).
* Alessandro Miressi also swam 47.46 (2021), 47.52 (2021).
* Matt Richards also swam 47.47 (2023).
* James Magnussen also swam 47.49 (2011).
* Nándor Németh also swam 47.50 (2024).
* Stefan Nystrand also swam 47.52 (2009).

### Men short course

* Correct as of December 2024
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 44.84 | Kyle Chalmers (AUS) | 29 October 2021 | Kazan |
| 2 | 44.94 | Amaury Leveaux (FRA) | 13 December 2008 | Rijeka |
| 3 | 44.95 | Vladimir Morozov (RUS) | 16 November 2018 | Singapore |
| 3 | 44.95 | Jordan Crooks (CAY) | 11 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 5 | 45.04 | Florent Manaudou (FRA) | 5 December 2013 | Dijon |
| 6 | 45.05 | Jack Alexy (USA) | 10 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 7 | 45.08 | Nathan Adrian (USA) | 19 December 2009 | Manchester |
| 7 | 45.08 | Caeleb Dressel (USA) | 22 November 2020 | Budapest |
| 9 | 45.36 | Evgeny Lagunov (RUS) | 11 December 2009 | Istanbul |
| 10 | 45.41 | Maxime Grousset (FRA) | 14 December 2022 | Melbourne |
| 11 | 45.46 | Matthew Abood (AUS) | 21 November 2009 | Singapore |
| 12 | 45.47 | Guilherme Caribé (BRA) | 12 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 13 | 45.51 | Alessandro Miressi (ITA) | 10 December 2023 | Otopeni |
| 13 | 45.51 | Chris Guiliano (USA) | 12 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 15 | 45.52 | Egor Kornev (RUS) | 11 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 16 | 45.54 | Stefan Nystrand (SWE) | 10 November 2009 | Stockholm |
| 17 | 45.56 | Brent Hayden (CAN) | 14 November 2009 | Great Britain |
| 18 | 45.58 | Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) | 7 November 2021 | Kazan |
| 19 | 45.60 | James Magnussen (AUS) | 7 August 2013 | Netherlands |
| 20 | 45.63 | Ryan Held (USA) | 21 December 2021 | Abu Dhabi |
| 21 | 45.64 | David Popovici (ROU) | 15 December 2022 | Melbourne |
| 22 | 45.68 | Danila Izotov (RUS) | 11 December 2009 | Turkey |
| 23 | 45.69 | Alain Bernard (FRA) | 7 December 2008 | France |
| 24 | 45.70 | Justin Ress (USA) | 28 November 2021 | Eindhoven |
| 25 | 45.72 | Thomas Ceccon (ITA) | 15 December 2022 | Melbourne |

#### Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 45.72:
* Kyle Chalmers also swam 45.03 (2021), 45.16 (2022), 45.50 (2021), 45.52 (2022), 45.53 (2021), 45.54 (2018), 45.55 (2019, 2022, 2022), 45.65 (2021), 45.66 (2022), 45.69 (2021), 45.70 (2021).
* Amaury Leveaux also swam 45.12 (2008), 45.56 (2009).
* Vladimir Morozov also swam 45.16 (2018), 45.23 (2017), 45.30 (2018), 45.51 (2014), 45.52 (2012), 45.53 (2019), 45.56 (2017), 45.57 (2016), 45.64 (2013, 2018), 45.65 (2012, 2013, 2017), 45.66 (2018), 45.67 (2013), 45.68 (2012, 2013), 45.69 (2018).
* Caeleb Dressel also swam 45.18 (2020), 45.20 (2020), 45.22 (2019), 45.47 (2021), 45.56 (2020), 45.62 (2018), 45.66 (2018), 45.69 (2019).
* Jordan Crooks also swam 45.22 (2024), 45.48 (2024), 45.55 (2022), 45.61 (2022).
* Jack Alexy also swam 45.29 (2024), 45.38 (2024).
* Maxime Grousset also swam 45.46 (2023), 45.58 (2022), 45.59 (2024), 45.61 (2022), 45.63 (2023).
* Alessandro Miressi also swam 45.57 (2021, 2022), 45.58 (2021), 45.69 (2024).
* Egor Kornev also swam 45.58 (2024).
* Kliment Kolesnikov also swam 45.66 (2022).
* Danila Izotov also swam 45.70 (2009).

### Women long course

* Correct as of December 2024
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 51.71 | Sarah Sjöström (SWE) | 23 July 2017 | Budapest |
| 2 | 51.96 | Emma McKeon (AUS) | 30 July 2021 | Tokyo |
| 3 | 52.02 | Siobhán Haughey (HKG) | 8 October 2023 | Berlin |
| 4 | 52.03 | Cate Campbell (AUS) | 10 August 2018 | Tokyo |
| 5 | 52.04 | Simone Manuel (USA) | 26 July 2019 | Gwangju |
| 6 | 52.07 | Britta Steffen (GER) | 31 July 2009 | Rome |
| 7 | 52.08 | Mollie O'Callaghan (AUS) | 23 July 2023 | Fukuoka |
| 8 | 52.26 | Marrit Steenbergen (NED) | 16 February 2024 | Doha |
| 9 | 52.27 | Bronte Campbell (AUS) | 9 April 2018 | Gold Coast |
| 10 | 52.28 | Shayna Jack (AUS) | 23 July 2023 | Fukuoka |
| 11 | 52.29 | Torri Huske (USA) | 31 July 2024 | Paris |
| 12 | 52.48 | Yang Junxuan (CHN) | 27 July 2024 | Paris |
| 13 | 52.52 | Meg Harris (AUS) | 14 June 2024 | Brisbane |
| 14 | 52.56 | Kate Douglass (USA) | 19 June 2024 | Indianapolis |
| 15 | 52.59 | Mallory Comerford (USA) | 23 July 2017 | Budapest |
| 15 | 52.59 | Penny Oleksiak (CAN) | 30 July 2021 | Tokyo |
| 17 | 52.62 | Libby Trickett (AUS) | 26 July 2009 | Rome |
| 18 | 52.69 | Femke Heemskerk (NED) | 5 April 2015 | Eindhoven |
| 18 | 52.69 | Pernille Blume (DEN) | 28 July 2017 | Budapest |
| 20 | 52.72 | Taylor Ruck (CAN) | 10 August 2018 | Tokyo |
| 21 | 52.74 | Charlotte Bonnet (FRA) | 26 May 2018 | Saint-Raphaël |
| 22 | 52.75 | Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) | 12 April 2012 | Eindhoven |
| 22 | 52.75 | Anna Hopkin (GBR) | 28 July 2021 | Tokyo |
| 24 | 52.76 | Madison Wilson (AUS) | 16 June 2021 | Adelaide |
| 25 | 52.79 | Rikako Ikee (JPN) | 18 November 2018 | Tokyo |

#### Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 52.79:
* Cate Campbell also swam 52.06 (2016), 52.12 (2019), 52.33 (2013), 52.34 (2013, 2019), 52.35 (2019), 52.37 (2018, 2018), 52.38 (2016, 2016), 52.41 (2016), 52.43 (2019, 2021), 52.44 (2019), 52.51 (2019), 52.52 (2021), 52.59 (2021), 52.61 (2018, 2019), 52.62 (2014), 52.64 (2018, 2019), 52.68 (2014, 2014), 52.69 (2013, 2015, 2017, 2018), 52.70 (2014), 52.71 (2016, 2019, 2021), 52.72 (2014), 52.74 (2014), 52.76 (2019), 52.78 (2016, 2017, 2019, 2021).
* Sarah Sjöström also swam 52.08 (2017), 52.16 (2024), 52.23 (2019), 52.24 (2023), 52.28 (2017), 52.31 (2017), 52.43 (2019), 52.44 (2017), 52.46 (2019), 52.53 (2024), 52.54 (2017), 52.57 (2024), 52.60 (2017), 52.62 (2021), 52.67 (2014, 2018), 52.68 (2021), 52.70 (2015), 52.73 (2014), 52.76 (2019), 52.77 (2018, 2018), 52.78 (2015, 2016).
* Emma McKeon also swam 52.13 (2021), 52.19 (2021), 52.29 (2021), 52.32 (2021), 52.35 (2021), 52.41 (2019), 52.46 (2020), 52.49 (2021), 52.52 (2023), 52.59 (2021), 52.71 (2021), 52.75 (2019), 52.77 (2019).
* Mollie O'Callaghan also swam 52.16 (2023), 52.24 (2024), 52.27 (2024), 52.33 (2024), 52.34 (2024), 52.48 (2023), 52.49 (2022), 52.57 (2024), 52.63 (2022, 2023), 52.67 (2022), 52.70 (2022), 52.75 (2024).
* Siobhán Haughey also swam 52.17 (2023), 52.24 (2023), 52.27 (2021), 52.33 (2024), 52.40 (2021), 52.49 (2023), 52.50 (2023), 52.55 (2023, 2024), 52.56 (2024), 52.64 (2023, 2024), 52.70 (2021), 52.72 (2024), 52.74 (2024), 52.76 (2024), 52.78 (2024).
* Britta Steffen also swam 52.22 (2009), 52.56 (2009).
* Simone Manuel also swam 52.27 (2017), 52.54 (2018), 52.66 (2018), 52.69 (2017), 52.70 (2016).
* Bronte Campbell also swam 52.52 (2015), 52.58 (2016), 52.78 (2016).
* Marrit Steenbergen also swam 52.53 (2024), 52.71 (2023), 52.72 (2024).
* Kate Douglass also swam 52.57 (2023).
* Meg Harris also swam 52.59 (2024), 52.60 (2024).
* Shayna Jack also swam 52.60 (2022), 52.64 (2023, 2023), 52.65 (2024), 52.72 (2024, 2024, 2024), 52.76 (2023).
* Yang Junxuan also swam 52.68 (2024).
* Penny Oleksiak also swam 52.70 (2016), 52.72 (2016).
* Pernille Blume also swam 52.72 (2018).
* Mallory Comerford also swam 52.77 (2017).
* Ranomi Kromowidjojo also swam 52.78 (2017).
* Femke Heemskerk also swam 52.79 (2015, 2021).

### Women short course

* Correct as of December 2024
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 50.25 | Cate Campbell (AUS) | 26 October 2017 | Australia |
| 2 | 50.31 | Gretchen Walsh (USA) | 12 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 3 | 50.58 | Sarah Sjöström (SWE) | 11 August 2017 | Eindhoven |
| 3 | 50.58 | Emma McKeon (AUS) | 3 October 2021 | Budapest |
| 5 | 50.63 | Béryl Gastaldello (FRA) | 12 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 6 | 50.73 | Kate Douglass (USA) | 12 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 7 | 50.79 | Siobhán Haughey (HKG) | 4 December 2021 | Eindhoven |
| 8 | 50.95 | Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) | 15 December 2017 | Denmark |
| 9 | 51.01 | Libby Trickett (AUS) | 11 August 2009 | Australia |
| 10 | 51.19 | Fran Halsall (GBR) | 22 November 2009 | Singapore |
| 11 | 51.25 | Marrit Steenbergen (NED) | 15 December 2022 | Melbourne |
| 12 | 51.26 | Abbey Weitzeil (USA) | 10 November 2020 | Budapest |
| 13 | 51.29 | Femke Heemskerk (NED) | 17 November 2018 | Singapore |
| 14 | 51.35 | Inge Dekker (NED) | 11 December 2009 | Istanbul |
| 15 | 51.40 | Madison Wilson (AUS) | 25 August 2022 | Sydney |
| 16 | 51.43 | Freya Anderson (GBR) | 31 October 2020 | Budapest |
| 16 | 51.43 | Freya Anderson (GBR) | 15 November 2020 | Budapest |
| 16 | 51.43 | Freya Anderson (GBR) | 21 November 2020 | Budapest |
| 16 | 51.43 | Freya Anderson (GBR) | 22 November 2020 | Budapest |
| 17 | 51.44 | Katarzyna Wasick (POL) | 17 September 2021 | Naples |
| 18 | 51.45 | Kayla Sanchez (CAN) | 14 December 2018 | Great Britain |
| 18 | 51.45 | Marie Wattel (FRA) | 12 December 2019 | Angers |
| 20 | 51.47 | Michelle Coleman (SWE) | 17 November 2019 | Sweden |
| 21 | 51.50 | Mollie O'Callaghan (AUS) | 25 August 2022 | Sydney |
| 22 | 51.58 | Jeanette Ottesen (DEN) | 9 October 2016 | Qatar |
| 23 | 51.62 | Rikako Ikee (JPN) | 14 January 2018 | Japan |
| 23 | 51.62 | Daria Klepikova (RUS) | 12 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 25 | 51.63 | Pernille Blume (DEN) | 15 December 2017 | Denmark |
| 25 | 51.63 | Mallory Comerford (USA) | 13 December 2018 | Hangzhou |

#### Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 51.63:
* Gretchen Walsh also swam 50.49 (2024).
* Emma McKeon also swam 50.67 (2021), 50.77 (2022), 50.96 (2021), 51.02 (2019), 51.03 (2022), 51.05 (2021), 51.15 (2021), 51.17 (2020), 51.27 (2019), 51.28 (2021, 2022), 51.36 (2021), 51.38 (2019), 51.47 (2021, 2021), 51.51 (2021), 51.58 (2021), 51.61 (2021, 2022).
* Sarah Sjöström also swam 50.77 (2017), 50.99 (2017), 51.02 (2017), 51.03 (2017), 51.13 (2018), 51.17 (2020), 51.21 (2018), 51.22 (2018), 51.25 (2017), 51.26 (2021, 2021), 51.31 (2021), 51.32 (2014, 2020), 51.34 (2021), 51.37 (2015), 51.39 (2014), 51.42 (2018), 51.44 (2015), 51.45 (2021), 51.46 (2014), 51.50 (2019, 2019), 51.52 (2021), 51.53 (2021), 51.55 (2021), 51.56 (2018), 51.62 (2017).
* Kate Douglass also swam 50.82 (2024), 50.95 (2024), 51.59 (2024).
* Cate Campbell also swam 50.85 (2017), 50.91 (2015), 51.02 (2019), 51.20 (2019), 51.31 (2013), 51.37 (2019), 51.38 (2015), 51.45 (2017), 51.56 (2024), 51.59 (2013, 2017).
* Siobhán Haughey also swam 50.87 (2022), 50.94 (2020), 50.98 (2021), 51.00 (2022), 51.06 (2021), 51.11 (2021), 51.12 (2020), 51.13 (2021), 51.14 (2020), 51.18 (2021), 51.22 (2021), 51.30 (2020), 51.32 (2021), 51.33 (2022), 51.35 (2020), 51.37 (2021), 51.38 (2020), 51.40 (2020), 51.41 (2024), 51.42 (2021), 51.46 (2021), 51.48 (2021), 51.49 (2020), 51.56 (2024), 51.59 (2020, 2022).
* Ranomi Kromowidjojo also swam 51.01 (2018), 51.14 (2018), 51.14 (2017, 2018), 51.19 (2017), 51.26 (2018), 51.28 (2013), 51.29 (2018), 51.39 (2015), 51.42 (2018), 51.44 (2010), 51.44 (2009, 2010), 51.45 (2010), 51.47 (2014), 51.51 (2018), 51.51 (2014), 51.54 (2009,2013), 51.56 (2018), 51.57 (2014), 51.59 (2015), 51.60 (2017).
* Béryl Gastaldello also swam 51.16 (2020), 51.30 (2020), 51.38 (2020, 2020), 51.48 (2023), 51.56 (2024), 51.57 (2020).
* Fran Halsall also swam 51.19 (2009), 51.61 (2009).
* Femke Heemskerk also swam 51.37 (2014), 51.38 (2018), 51.51 (2014), 51.58 (2020), 51.60 (2018), 51.62 (2014).
* Abbey Weitzeil also swam 51.42 (2020), 51.62 (2021), 51.63 (2022).
* Freya Anderson also swam 51.49 (2019), 51.52 (2020).
* Madison Wilson also swam 51.54 (2022).
* Katarzyna Wasick also swam 51.58 (2021).