# World record progression 200 metres backstroke

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 | 27 June 1909 | Berlin, Germany |
| 2 | 2'59"8 | George Arnold | 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 | 11 March 1911 | Magdeburg, Germany |
| 5 | 2'48"4 | Otto Fahr | Germany | 3 April 1912 | Magdeburg, Germany |
| 6 | 2'47"1 | Walter Laufer | United States | 24 June 1926 | Bremen, Germany |
| 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 |
| 9 | 2'37"8 | Toshio Irie | Japan | 14 October 1928 | Tamagawa, Japan |
| 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 |
| 01 | 2:18.5 | | Allen Stack | United States | 4 May 1949 | - | New Haven, United States |
| 02 | 2:18.3 | | Gilbert Bozon | France | 26 June 1953 | - | Algiers, Algeria |
| 03 | 2:18.8 | | John Monckton | Australia | 15 January 1958 | - | Sydney, Australia |
| 04 | 2:18.4 | | John Monckton | Australia | 18 February 1958 | - | Melbourne, Australia |
| 05 | 2:17.9 | | Frank McKinney | United States | 12 July 1959 | - | Los Altos, United States |
| 06 | 2:17.8 | | Frank McKinney | United States | 25 July 1959 | - | Osaka, Japan |
| 07 | 2:17.6 | | Chuck Bittick | United States | 26 June 1960 | - | Los Angeles, United States |
| 08 | 2:16.0 | | Tom Stock | United States | 24 July 1960 | - | Toledo, United States |
| 09 | 2:13.2 | | Tom Stock | United States | 2 July 1961 | - | Chicago, United States |
| 10 | 2:11.5 | | Tom Stock | United States | 20 August 1961 | - | Los Angeles, United States |
| 11 | 2:10.9 | | Tom Stock | United States | 10 August 1962 | - | Cuyahoga Falls, United States |
| 12 | 2:10.3 | | Jed Graef | United States | 13 October 1964 | 1964 Summer Olympics | Tokyo, Japan |
| 13 | 2:09.4 | | Charles Hickcox | United States | 29 August 1967 | 1967 Summer Universiade | Tokyo, Japan |
| 14 | 2:07.9 | | Roland Matthes | East Germany | 8 November 1967 | - | Leipzig, East Germany |
| 15 | 2:07.5 | | Roland Matthes | East Germany | 14 August 1968 | GDR Olympic Trials | Leipzig, East Germany |
| 16 | 2:07.4 | | Roland Matthes | East Germany | 12 July 1969 | Santa Clara Invitational | Santa Clara, United States |
| 17 | 2:06.6 | | Gary Hall | United States | 14 August 1969 | AAU Nationals | Louisville, United States |
| 17 | 2:06.6 | = | Roland Matthes | East Germany | 29 August 1969 | - | Berlin, West Germany |
| 18 | 2:06.3 | | Mike Stamm | United States | 20 August 1970 | AAU Nationals | Los Angeles, United States |
| 19 | 2:06.1 | | Roland Matthes | East Germany | 11 September 1970 | European Championships | Barcelona, Spain |
| 20 | 2:05.6 | | Roland Matthes | East Germany | 3 September 1971 | GDR vs USA Duel | Leipzig, East Germany |
| 21 | 2:02.8 | | Roland Matthes | East Germany | 10 July 1972 | GDR Olympic Trials | Leipzig, East Germany |
| 21 | 2:02.82 | = | Roland Matthes | East Germany | 2 September 1972 | 1972 Summer Olympics | Munich, West Germany |
| 22 | 2:01.87 | | Roland Matthes | East Germany | 6 September 1973 | World Championships | Belgrade, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia |
| 23 | 2:00.64 | | John Naber | United States | 19 June 1976 | USA Olympic Trials | Long Beach, United States |
| 24 | 1:59.19 | | John Naber | United States | 24 July 1976 | 1976 Summer Olympics | Montreal, Canada |
| 25 | 1:58.93 | | Rick Carey | United States | 3 August 1983 | 1983 U.S. Summer Nationals | Clovis, United States |
| 26 | 1:58.86 | | Rick Carey | United States | 27 June 1984 | 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials | Indianapolis, United States |
| 27 | 1:58.41 | | Sergei Zabolotnov | Soviet Union | 21 August 1984 | Friendship Games | Moscow, Soviet Union |
| 28 | 1:58.14 | | Igor Polyansky | Soviet Union | 3 March 1985 | GDR vs URS Duel | Erfurt, East Germany |
| 29 | 1:57.30 | | Martin Zubero | Spain | 13 August 1991 | 1991 U.S. Summer Nationals | Fort Lauderdale, United States |
| 30 | 1:56.57 | | Martin Zubero | Spain | 23 November 1991 | Alabama LC Invitational | Tuscaloosa, United States |
| 31 | 1:55.87 | | Lenny Krayzelburg | United States | 27 August 1999 | Pan Pacific Championships | Sydney, Australia |
| 32 | 1:55.15 | | Aaron Peirsol | United States | 20 March 2002 | US Spring National Championships | Minneapolis, United States |
| 33 | 1:54.74 | | Aaron Peirsol | United States | 12 July 2004 | US Olympic Trials | Long Beach, United States |
| 34 | 1:54.66 | | Aaron Peirsol | United States | 29 July 2005 | World Championships | Montreal, Canada |
| 35 | 1:54.44 | | Aaron Peirsol | United States | 19 August 2006 | Pan Pacific Championships | Victoria, Canada |
| 36 | 1:54.32 | | Ryan Lochte | United States | 30 March 2007 | World Championships | Melbourne, Australia |
| 36 | 1:54.32 | = | Aaron Peirsol | United States | 4 July 2008 | US Olympic Trials | Omaha, United States |
| 37 | 1:53.94 | | Ryan Lochte | United States | 15 August 2008 | Olympic Games | Beijing, China |
| - | 1:52.86 | | Ryosuke Irie | Japan | 10 May 2009 | Duel in the Pool: Australia vs Japan | Canberra, Australia |
| 38 | 1:53.08 | | Aaron Peirsol | United States | 11 July 2009 | US National Championships | Indianapolis, United States |
| 39 | 1:51.92 | | Aaron Peirsol | United States | 31 July 2009 | World Championships | Rome, Italy |

### Short course

| # | Time | | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location |
| WBT | 1:55.93 | | Mark Tewksbury | Canada | 1 March 1991 | World Cup meet | Toronto, Canada |
| 01 | 1:52.51 | | Martin Lopez-Zubero | | 10 April 1991 | ? | Gainesville, United States |
| 02 | 1:52.47 | | Lenny Krayzelburg | United States | 18 November 1999 | World Cup meet | College Park, United States |
| 03 | 1:52.43 | | Lenny Krayzelburg | United States | 6 February 2000 | World Cup meet | Berlin, Germany |
| 04 | 1:51.62 | | Matt Welsh | Australia | 13 October 2000 | ? | Melbourne, Australia |
| 05 | 1:51.62 | = | Gordan Kožulj | 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 | 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 | 13 April 2008 | Short Course Worlds | Manchester, United Kingdom |
| 11 | 1:47.08 | | George Du Rand | South Africa | 7 November 2009 | World Cup meet | Moscow, Russia |
| 12 | 1:46.11 | | Arkady Vyatchanin | Russia | 15 November 2009 | World Cup meet | Berlin, Germany |
| 13 | 1:45.63 | | Mitch Larkin | Australia | 27 November 2015 | Australian Championships | Sydney, Australia |

## 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 |
| 01 | 2:39.9 | | Philippa Gould | New Zealand | 16 Jan 1957 | ? | Auckland, New Zealand |
| 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 | 25 Jul 1966 | ? | Béziers, France |
| 17 | 2:26.4 | | Karen Muir | 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 | 6 Jan 1968 | ? | Kimberley, South Africa |
| 20 | 2:23.8 | | Karen Muir | 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 | 7 Jul 1974 | GDR Nationals/ECTs | Rostock, East Germany |
| 26 | 2:17.35 | | Ulrike Richter | 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 | 6 Jun 1975 | GDR Nationals/WCTs | Wittenberg, East Germany |
| 29 | 2:15.46 | | Birgit Treiber | East Germany | 27 Jul 1975 | World Championships | Cali, Colombia |
| 30 | 2:14.41 | | Antje Stille | East Germany | 29 Feb 1976 | GDR Winter Nationals | East Berlin, East Germany |
| 31 | 2:13.50 | | Antje Stille | East Germany | 13 Mar 1976 | URS vs GDR Duel | Tallinn, Soviet Union |
| 32 | 2:12.47 | | Birgit Treiber | 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 | 27 Jul 1980 | Olympic Games | Moscow, Soviet Union |
| 35 | 2:09.91 | | Cornelia Sirch | 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 | 25 Aug 1991 | European Championships | Athens, Greece |
| 38 | 2:06.39 | | Kirsty Coventry | 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 | 16 Aug 2008 | Olympic Games | Beijing, China |
| 41 | 2:04.81 | | Kirsty Coventry | 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 |
| 44 | 2:03.14 | | Kaylee McKeown | Australia | 10 Mar 2023 | NSW State Championships | Sydney, Australia |

### Short course

| # | Time | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location |
| WBT | ? | ? | ? | 1 March 1991 | World Cup | Berlin, Germany |
| 01 | 2:07.11 | Anna Simcic | New Zealand | 1 February 1992 | World Cup | Paris, France |
| 02 | 2:06.09 | Cihong He | China | 5 December 1993 | World Championships | Palma de Mallorca, Spain |
| 03 | 2:05.83 | Clementine Stoney | Australia | 4 August 2001 | Australian Championships | Perth, Australia |
| 04 | 2:04.44 | Sarah Price | Great Britain | 5 August 2001 | Australian Championships | Perth, Australia |
| 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 |
| 11 | 1:58.94 | Kaylee McKeown | Australia | 28 November 2020 | Australian Championships | Brisbane, Australia |
| 12 | 1:58.83 | Regan Smith | United States | 2 November 2024 | World Cup | Singapore |
| 13 | 1:58.04 | Regan Smith | United States | 15 December 2024 | World Championships | Budapest, Hungary |

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

* Correct as of December 2024
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 13 | 1:54.51 | Hugo González (ESP) | 20 June 2024 | Palma |
| 14 | 1:54.59 | Nick Thoman (USA) | 5 August 2009 | Federal Way |
| 15 | 1:54.61 | Keaton Jones (USA) | 20 June 2024 | Indianapolis |
| 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 |
| 20 | 1:54.79 | Bryce Mefford (USA) | 18 June 2021 | Omaha |
| 21 | 1:54.82 | Apostolos Christou (GRE) | 1 August 2024 | Paris |
| 22 | 1:54.85 | Roman Mityukov (SUI) | 1 August 2024 | Paris |
| 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).
* Nick Thoman also swam 1:54.83 (2009).
* Arkady Vyatchanin also swam 1:54.90 (2009), 1:54.93 (2008).
* Jacob Pebley also swam 1:54.78 (2017), 1:54.92 (2016), 1:55.06 (2017), 1:55.18 (2016), 1:55.20 (2017).
* Aschwin Wildeboer also swam 1:54.96 (2009).
* Kliment Kolesnikov also swam 1:55.15 (2017).

### Men short course

* Correct as of December 2024
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 1:45.63 | Mitch Larkin (AUS) | 27 November 2015 | Sydney |
| 2 | 1:45.65 | Hubert Kós (HUN) | 15 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 3 | 1:46.11 | Arkady Vyatchanin (RUS) | 15 November 2009 | Berlin |
| 4 | 1:46.37 | Evgeny Rylov (RUS) | 21 November 2020 | Budapest |
| 5 | 1:46.68 | Ryan Lochte (USA) | 19 December 2010 | Dubai |
| 6 | 1:47.08 | George Du Rand (RSA) | 7 November 2009 | Moscow |
| 7 | 1:47.34 | Ryan Murphy (USA) | 16 December 2018 | Hangzhou |
| 8 | 1:47.38 | Radosław Kawęcki (POL) | 7 December 2014 | Doha |
| 9 | 1:47.64 | Markus Rogan (AUT) | 11 November 2009 | Stockholm |
| 10 | 1:48.01 | Shaine Casas (USA) | 18 December 2022 | Melbourne |
| 11 | 1:48.02 | Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) | 13 December 2017 | Copenhagen |
| 12 | 1:48.25 | Masaki Kaneko (JPN) | 17 January 2016 | Tokyo |
| 13 | 1:48.32 | Xu Jiayu (CHN) | 9 November 2018 | Tokyo |
| 14 | 1:48.43 | Lorenzo Mora (ITA) | 10 December 2023 | Otopeni |
| 15 | 1:48.53 | Luke Greenbank (GBR) | 10 December 2023 | Otopeni |
| 16 | 1:48.55 | Mewen Tomac (FRA) | 10 December 2023 | Otopeni |
| 17 | 1:48.59 | Jacob Pebley (USA) | 29 September 2021 | Naples |
| 18 | 1:48.60 | Tyler Clary (USA) | 11 August 2013 | Berlin |
| 19 | 1:48.62 | Stanislav Donets (RUS) | 10 December 2009 | Istanbul |
| 20 | 1:48.74 | Matt Grevers (USA) | 18 December 2009 | Manchester |
| 21 | 1:48.77 | Ryosuke Irie (JPN) | 7 December 2014 | Doha |
| 22 | 1:48.97 | Christian Diener (GER) | 21 December 2021 | Abu Dhabi |
| 23 | 1:48.98 | Yuki Shirai (JPN) | 15 February 2014 | Tokyo |
| 24 | 1:49.06 | Danas Rapsys (LTU) | 13 December 2017 | Copenhagen |
| 25 | 1:49.09 | Jakub Skierka (POL) | 18 December 2020 | Olsztyn |

#### Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:49.09:
* 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).
* 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 (2019), 1:48.86 (2012).
* 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).
* 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).
* Hubert Kós also swam 1:48.02 (2024).
* 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), 1:48.96 (2024).
* Luke Greenbank also swam 1:48.65 (2020).
* Xu Jiayu also swam 1:48.93 (2018), 1:49.08 (2018).
* Matt Grevers also swam 1:48.97 (2015).
* Jacob Pebley also swam 1:48.98 (2016).
* Ryosuke Irie also swam 1:49.02 (2020).
* Christian Diener also swam 1:49.04 (2021).
* Kliment Kolesnikov also swam 1:49.06 (2020).
* Tyler Clary also swam 1:49.09 (2010).

### Women long course

* Correct as of December 2024
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 2:03.14 | Kaylee McKeown (AUS) | 10 March 2023 | Sydney |
| 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 |
| 7 | 2:05.13 | Rhyan White (USA) | 27 April 2022 | Greensboro |
| 8 | 2:05.42 | Kylie Masse (CAN) | 31 July 2021 | Tokyo |
| 9 | 2:05.56 | Margherita Panziera (ITA) | 31 March 2021 | Riccione |
| 10 | 2:05.68 | Emily Seebohm (AUS) | 29 July 2017 | Budapest |
| 11 | 2:05.77 | Claire Curzan (USA) | 17 February 2024 | Doha |
| 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 |
| 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 |

#### 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 December 2024
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 1:58.04 | Regan Smith (USA) | 15 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 2 | 1:58.94 | Kaylee McKeown (AUS) | 28 November 2020 | Brisbane |
| 3 | 1:59.23 | Katinka Hosszú (HUN) | 5 December 2014 | Doha |
| 4 | 1:59.25 | Minna Atherton (AUS) | 23 November 2019 | London |
| 5 | 1:59.35 | Daryna Zevina (UKR) | 26 August 2016 | Chartres |
| 6 | 1:59.49 | Emily Seebohm (AUS) | 26 November 2015 | Sydney |
| 7 | 1:59.96 | Summer McIntosh (CAN) | 15 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 8 | 2:00.03 | Missy Franklin (USA) | 22 October 2011 | Berlin |
| 9 | 2:00.15 | Anastasiya Shkurdai (BLR) | 10 November 2023 | Brest |
| 10 | 2:00.18 | Shiho Sakai (JPN) | 14 November 2009 | Berlin |
| 11 | 2:00.27 | Beata Nelson (USA) | 22 November 2020 | Budapest |
| 12 | 2:00.53 | Claire Curzan (USA) | 18 December 2022 | Melbourne |
| 13 | 2:00.69 | Kathleen Baker (USA) | 6 October 2018 | Budapest |
| 14 | 2:00.71 | Lisa Bratton (USA) | 13 December 2018 | Hangzhou |
| 15 | 2:00.76 | Phoebe Bacon (USA) | 15 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 16 | 2:00.83 | Elizabeth Simmonds (GBR) | 16 December 2011 | Atlanta |
| 17 | 2:00.91 | Kirsty Coventry (ZIM) | 11 April 2008 | Manchester |
| 18 | 2:01.24 | Belinda Hocking (AUS) | 22 October 2011 | Berlin |
| 19 | 2:01.26 | Kira Toussaint (NED) | 4 November 2021 | Kazan |
| 19 | 2:01.26 | Kylie Masse (CAN) | 18 December 2022 | Melbourne |
| 21 | 2:01.29 | Amy Bilquist (USA) | 30 October 2020 | Budapest |
| 22 | 2:01.33 | Courtney Bartholomew (USA) | 11 December 2015 | Indianapolis |
| 23 | 2:01.45 | Margherita Panziera (ITA) | 6 December 2019 | Glasgow |
| 24 | 2:01.57 | Daria Ustinova (RUS) | 4 December 2015 | Netanya |
| 25 | 2:01.58 | Rhyan White (USA) | 19 December 2021 | Abu Dhabi |

#### Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 2:01.58:
* Regan Smith also swam 1:58.83 (2024), 1:59.60 (2024), 2:00.42 (2024).
* Kaylee McKeown also swam 1:59.26 (2022), 1:59.48 (2022).
* Minna Atherton also swam 1:59.48 (2019), 2:00.58 (2019), 2:01.40 (2021).
* 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).
* 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).
* Missy Franklin also swam 2:00.14 (2011), 2:01.53 (2015).
* Beata Nelson also swam 2:00.33 (2021), 2:00.43 (2022), 2:00.50 (2022), 2:00.55 (2021), 2:00.84 (2021), 2:01.11 (2021), 2:01.31 (2020), 2:01.58 (2021).
* 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).
* Anastasiya Shkurdai also swam 2:00.56 (2024), 2:01.31 (2024), 2:01.51 (2021, 2024).
* 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 2:00.93 (2021), 2:00.99 (2020), 2:01.00 (2018).
* Claire Curzan also swam 2:01.02 (2024).
* Belinda Hocking also swam 2:01.30 (2011).
* Kylie Masse also swam 2:01.45 (2021), 2:01.52 (2021).
* Summer McIntosh also swam 2:01.52 (2024).
* Margherita Panziera also swam 2:01.56 (2018).