# World record progression 200 metres breaststroke

The first world record in the men's 200 metres breaststroke in long course (50 metres) swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) in 1908 and the first world record in the women's 200 metres breaststroke was recognised in 1921. In the short course (25 metres) swimming events the world's governing body recognizes world records since March 3, 1991.
There have been two rule changes enacted by FINA for this event that have resulted in the nullification of world records.
In the mid-1930s, many breaststroke swimmers began practicing an early variant of the butterfly stroke that involved recovering the arms above the water in an effort to reduce drag. This technique was disallowed when the butterfly stroke was established as a distinct stroke with its own rules in 1953, and world records set using the technique were nullified.
Another style was developed by the Japanese swimmer Masaru Furukawa shortly after this rule change. It involved swimming underwater for as much of each pool length as possible without surfacing, as the act of breaking the water's surface created resistance, slowing a swimmer. This method of swimming the breaststroke was disallowed by FINA in 1956 and records set with the technique were nullified.

## Men
### Long course

| # | Time | | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location |
| 1 | 3:09.2 | | Frederick Holman | Great Britain | 18 July 1908 | - | London, United Kingdom |
| 2 | 3:08.3 | | Robert Andersson | Great Britain | 18 April 1909 | - | Stockholm, Sweden |
| 3 | 3:00.8 | | Félicien Courbet | Belgium | 2 October 1910 | - | Schaerbeek, Belgium |
| 4 | 2:56.6 | | Percy Courtman | Great Britain | 28 July 1914 | - | Garston, United Kingdom |
| 5 | 2:54.4 | | Erich Rademacher | Germany | 12 November 1922 | - | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| 6 | 2:52.6 | | Bob Skelton | United States | 24 March 1924 | - | Milwaukee, United States |
| 7 | 2:50.4 | | Erich Rademacher | Germany | 7 April 1924 | - | Magdeburg, Germany |
| 8 | 2:48.0 | | Erich Rademacher | Germany | 11 March 1927 | - | Brussels, Belgium |
| 9 | 2:45.0 | | Yoshiyuki Tsuruta | Japan | 29 July 1927 | - | Kyoto, Japan |
| 10 | 2:44.6 | | Lionel Spence | United States | 2 April 1931 | - | Chicago, United States |
| 11 | 2:44.0 | | Lionel Spence | United States | 1 April 1932 | - | New Haven, United States |
| 12 | 2:42.6 | | Jacques Cartonnet | United States | 8 February 1933 | - | Paris, France |
| 13 | 2:42.4 | | Erwin Sietas | Germany | 16 March 1935 | - | Düsseldorf, Germany |
| 14 | 2:39.6 | | Jacques Cartonnet | France | 4 May 1935 | - | Paris, France |
| - | 2:37.2 | | Jack Kasley | United States | 28 March 1936 | - | New Haven, United States |
| 15 | 2:36.8 | | Alfred Nakache | France | 6 July 1941 | - | Marseille, France |
| - | 2:35.6 | | Joe Verdeur | United States | 5 April 1946 | - | Bainbridge, United States |
| - | 2:35.0 | | Joe Verdeur | United States | 15 February 1947 | - | New Haven, United States |
| - | 2:32.0 | | Joe Verdeur | United States | 14 February 1948 | - | New Haven, United States |
| - | 2:30.5 | | Joe Verdeur | United States | 2 April 1948 | - | New Haven, United States |
| - | 2:30.0 | | Joe Verdeur | United States | 28 June 1948 | - | New Haven, United States |
| - | 2:36.3 | | Joe Verdeur | United States | 10 July 1948 | - | Detroit, United States |
| - | 2:28.3 | | Joe Verdeur | United States | 15 February 1950 | - | New Haven, United States |
| - | 2:34.4 | | Herbert Klein | Germany | 13 August 1950 | - | Göppingen, West Germany |
| - | 2:27.3 | | Herbert Klein | Germany | 9 June 1951 | - | Munich, West Germany |
| - | 2:34.4 | =, | John Davies | Australia | 1 August 1952 | - | Helsinki, Finland |
| 16 | 2:37.4 | | Knud Gleie | Denmark | 14 February 1953 | - | Copenhagen, Denmark |
| - | 2:36.6 | | Masaru Furukawa | Japan | 10 April 1954 | - | Tokyo, Japan |
| - | 2:35.4 | | Masaru Furukawa | Japan | 10 April 1954 | - | Tokyo, Japan |
| - | 2:35.2 | | Mamoru Tanaka | Japan | 17 September 1954 | - | Tokyo, Japan |
| - | 2:33.7 | | Masaru Furukawa | Japan | 5 August 1955 | - | Tokyo, Japan |
| - | 2:31.0 | | Masaru Furukawa | Japan | 1 October 1955 | - | Tokyo, Japan |
| 17 | 2:36.5 | | Terry Gathercole | Australia | 28 June 1958 | - | Townsville, Australia |
| 18 | 2:33.6 | | Chet Jastremski | United States | 28 July 1961 | - | Tokyo, Japan |
| 19 | 2:29.6 | | Chet Jastremski | United States | 19 August 1961 | - | Los Angeles, United States |
| 20 | 2:28.2 | | Chet Jastremski | United States | 30 August 1964 | - | New York City, United States |
| 21 | 2:27.8 | | Ian O'Brien | Australia | 15 October 1964 | Olympic Games | Tokyo, Japan |
| 22 | 2:27.4 | | Vladimir Kosinsky | Soviet Union | 3 April 1968 | - | Tallinn, Soviet Union |
| 23 | 2:26.5 | | Nikolai Pankin | Soviet Union | 22 March 1969 | - | Minsk, Soviet Union |
| 24 | 2:25.4 | | Nikolai Pankin | Soviet Union | 19 April 1969 | - | Magdeburg, East Germany |
| 25 | 2:23.5 | | Brian Job | United States | 22 August 1970 | AAU National Championships | Los Angeles, United States |
| 26 | 2:22.79 | | John Hencken | United States | 5 August 1972 | US Olympic Trials | Chicago, United States |
| 27 | 2:21.55 | | John Hencken | United States | 2 September 1972 | Olympic Games | Munich, West Germany |
| 28 | 2:20.52 | | John Hencken | United States | 24 August 1973 | US National Championships | Louisville, United States |
| 29 | 2:19.28 | | David Wilkie | Great Britain | 6 September 1973 | World Championships | Belgrade, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia |
| 30 | 2:18.93 | | John Hencken | United States | 24 August 1974 | AAU National Championships | Concord, United States |
| 31 | 2:18.21 | | John Hencken | United States | 1 September 1974 | USA vs GDR Dual Meet | Concord, United States |
| 32 | 2:15.11 | | David Wilkie | Great Britain | 24 July 1976 | Olympic Games | Montreal, Canada |
| 33 | 2:14.77 | | Victor Davis | Canada | 5 August 1982 | World Championships | Guayaquil, Ecuador |
| 34 | 2:14.58 | | Victor Davis | Canada | 17 June 1984 | - | Etobicoke, Canada |
| 35 | 2:13.34 | | Victor Davis | Canada | 2 August 1984 | Olympic Games | Los Angeles, United States |
| 36 | 2:12.90 | | Mike Barrowman | United States | 4 August 1989 | US National Championships | Los Angeles, United States |
| 36 | 2:12.90 | = | Nick Gillingham | Great Britain | 19 August 1989 | European Championships | Bonn, West Germany |
| 37 | 2:12.89 | | Mike Barrowman | United States | 20 August 1989 | Pan Pacific Championships | Tokyo, Japan |
| 38 | 2:11.53 | | Mike Barrowman | United States | 20 July 1990 | Goodwill Games | Seattle, United States |
| 39 | 2:11.23 | | Mike Barrowman | United States | 11 January 1991 | World Championships | Perth, Australia |
| 40 | 2:10.60 | | Mike Barrowman | United States | 13 August 1991 | US National Championships | Fort Lauderdale, United States |
| 41 | 2:10.16 | | Mike Barrowman | United States | 29 July 1992 | Olympic Games | Barcelona, Spain |
| 42 | 2:09.97 | | Kosuke Kitajima | Japan | 2 October 2002 | Asian Games | Busan, South Korea |
| 43 | 2:09.52 | | Dimitri Komornikov | Russia | 15 June 2003 | Mare Nostrum | Barcelona, Spain |
| 44 | 2:09.42 | | Kosuke Kitajima | Japan | 24 July 2003 | World Championships | Barcelona, Spain |
| 45 | 2:09.04 | | Brendan Hansen | United States | 11 July 2004 | US Olympic Trials | Long Beach, United States |
| 46 | 2:08.74 | | Brendan Hansen | United States | 5 August 2006 | US National Championships | Irvine, United States |
| 47 | 2:08.50 | | Brendan Hansen | United States | 21 August 2006 | Pan Pacific Championships | Victoria, Canada |
| 48 | 2:07.51 | | Kosuke Kitajima | Japan | 8 June 2008 | Japan Open | Tokyo, Japan |
| 49 | 2:07.31 | sf | Christian Sprenger | Australia | 30 July 2009 | World Championships | Rome, Italy |
| 50 | 2:07.28 | | Dániel Gyurta | Hungary | 1 August 2012 | Olympic Games | London, United Kingdom |
| 51 | 2:07.01 | | Akihiro Yamaguchi | Japan | 15 September 2012 | Japanese Sports Festival | Gifu, Japan |
| 52 | 2:06.67 | | Ippei Watanabe | Japan | 29 January 2017 | Kosuke Kitajima Cup | Tokyo, Japan |
| 52 | 2:06.67 | sf, = | Matthew Wilson | Australia | 25 July 2019 | World Championships | Gwangju, South Korea |
| 53 | 2:06.12 | | Anton Chupkov | Russia | 26 July 2019 | World Championships | Gwangju, South Korea |
| 54 | 2:05.95 | | Zac Stubblety-Cook | Australia | 22 May 2022 | Australian Championships | Adelaide, Australia |
| 55 | 2:05.48 | | Qin Haiyang | China | 27 July 2023 | World Championships | Fukuoka, Japan |

#### Notes

* ^ Record was set using a butterfly technique and was nullified in 1953.
* ^ Record was set in a 25 m pool and was annulled after World Aquatics required 50 m pools to be used.
* ^ After the records set in a 25 m pool were nullified, the world record was reverted to Herbert Klein's mark from 1950, which John Davies equaled in 1952. However, these records were also later annulled because they employed a butterfly technique.
* ^ Masaru Furukawa and Mamoru Tanaka set their world records by swimming most of the race while underwater. Their records were annulled in 1956.

### Short course

| # | Time | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location |
| 1 | 2:07.93 | Nick Gillingham | Great Britain | 20 October 1991 | - | Birmingham, United Kingdom |
| 2 | 2:07.80 | Philip Rogers | Australia | 28 August 1993 | Australian Championships | Melbourne, Australia |
| 3 | 2:07.79 | Andrey Korneyev | Russia | 20 January 1998 | World Cup | Paris, France |
| 4 | 2:07.59 | Roman Sludnov | Russia | 19 March 2000 | World Championships | Athens, Greece |
| 5 | 2:06.40 | Ed Moses | United States | 25 March 2000 | NCAA Division I Championships | Minneapolis, United States |
| 6 | 2:04.37 | Ed Moses | United States | 18 January 2002 | World Cup | Paris, France |
| 7 | 2:03.28 | Ed Moses | United States | 22 January 2002 | World Cup | Stockholm, Sweden |
| 8 | 2:03.17 | Ed Moses | United States | 26 January 2002 | World Cup | Berlin, Germany |
| 9 | 2:02.92 | Ed Moses | United States | 17 January 2004 | World Cup | Berlin, Germany |
| 10 | 2:01.98 | Christian Sprenger | Australia | 10 August 2009 | Australian Championships | Hobart, Australia |
| 11 | 2:00.67 | Dániel Gyurta | Hungary | 13 December 2009 | European Championships | Istanbul, Turkey |
| 12 | 2:00.48 | Dániel Gyurta | Hungary | 31 August 2014 | World Cup | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| 13 | 2:00.44 | Marco Koch | Germany | 20 November 2016 | German Championships | Berlin, Germany |
| 14 | 2:00.16 | Kirill Prigoda | Russia | 13 December 2018 | World Championships | Hangzhou, China |

## Women
### Long course

| # | Time | | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location |
| 1 | 3:38.2 | | Ellie Van Den Bogaert | Belgium | 7 August 1921 | - | Antwerp, Belgium |
| 2 | 3:34.6 | | Ellie Van Den Bogaert | Belgium | 6 May 1922 | - | Brussels, Belgium |
| 3 | 3:31.4 | | Ellie Van Den Bogaert | Belgium | 4 October 1922 | - | Antwerp, Belgium |
| 4 | 3:20.4 | | Irene Gilbert | Great Britain | 18 June 1923 | - | Rotherham, United Kingdom |
| 5 | 3:20.2 | | Erna Murray | Germany | 5 April 1925 | - | Leipzig, Germany |
| 6 | 3:19.1 | | Brita Hazelius | Sweden | 11 August 1926 | - | Stockholm, Sweden |
| 7 | 3:18.4 | | Mietje Baron | Netherlands | 24 October 1926 | - | Brussels, Belgium |
| 8 | 3:16.6 | | Else Jacobsen | Denmark | 20 August 1927 | - | Oslo, Norway |
| 9 | 3:15.8 | | Charlotte Mühe | Germany | 15 April 1928 | - | Magdeburg, Germany |
| 10 | 3:11.2 | | Mietje Baron | Netherlands | 22 April 1928 | - | Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| 10 | 3:11.2 | = | Charlotte Mühe | Germany | 15 July 1928 | - | Berlin, Germany |
| 11 | 3:10.6 | | Margery Hinton | Great Britain | 20 July 1931 | - | Manchester, United Kingdom |
| 12 | 3:08.4 | | Clare Dennis | Australia | 18 January 1932 | - | Sydney, Australia |
| 13 | 3:08.2 | | Lisa Rocke | Germany | 21 April 1932 | - | Leipzig, Germany |
| 14 | 3:03.4 | | Else Jacobsen | Denmark | 11 May 1932 | - | Stockholm, Sweden |
| 15 | 3:00.4 | | Hideko Maehata | Japan | 30 September 1933 | - | Tokyo, Japan |
| 16 | 3:00.2 | | Jopie Waalberg | Netherlands | 11 May 1937 | - | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| 17 | 2:58.0 | | Jopie Waalberg | Netherlands | 27 June 1937 | - | Zaandijk, Netherlands |
| 18 | 2:56.9 | | Jopie Waalberg | Netherlands | 2 October 1937 | - | Ghent, Belgium |
| 19 | 2:56.0 | | Maria Lenk | Brazil | 8 November 1939 | - | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| - | 2:55.5 | | Anni Kapell | United States | 19 March 1941 | - | Düsseldorf, Germany |
| - | 2:52.6 | | Nel van Vliet | Netherlands | 17 August 1946 | - | Bilthoven, Netherlands |
| - | 2:51.9 | | Nel van Vliet | Netherlands | 29 March 1947 | - | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| - | 2:49.2 | | Nel van Vliet | Netherlands | 20 July 1947 | - | Hilversum, Netherlands |
| - | 2:48.8 | | Éva Novák | Hungary | 21 October 1950 | - | Székesfehérvár, Hungary |
| - | 2:48.5 | | Éva Novák | Hungary | 5 May 1951 | - | Moscow, Soviet Union |
| - | 2:46.4 | | Ada den Haan | Netherlands | 13 November 1956 | - | Naarden, Netherlands |
| 20 | 2:52.6 | | Ada den Haan | Netherlands | 18 May 1957 | Netherlands vs Great Britain International | Blackpool, United Kingdom |
| 21 | 2:51.9 | | Ada den Haan | Netherlands | 3 August 1957 | - | Rhenen, Netherlands |
| 22 | 2:51.3 | | Ada den Haan | Netherlands | 4 August 1957 | - | Rhenen, Netherlands |
| 23 | 2:50.3 | | Anita Lonsbrough | Great Britain | 25 July 1959 | Netherlands vs Great Britain International | Waalwijk, Netherlands |
| 24 | 2:50.2 | | Wiltrud Urselmann | Germany | 6 June 1960 | - | Aachen, West Germany |
| 25 | 2:49.5 | | Anita Lonsbrough | Great Britain | 27 August 1960 | Olympic Games | Rome, Italy |
| 26 | 2:48.0 | | Karin Beyer | East Germany | 5 August 1961 | - | Budapest, Hungary |
| 27 | 2:47.7 | | Galina Prozumenshchikova | Soviet Union | 11 April 1964 | - | Blackpool, United Kingdom |
| 28 | 2:45.4 | | Galina Prozumenshchikova | Soviet Union | 17 May 1964 | - | East Berlin, East Germany |
| 29 | 2:45.3 | | Galina Prozumenshchikova | Soviet Union | 12 September 1965 | - | Groningen, Netherlands |
| 30 | 2:43.0 | | Irina Pozdnyakova | Soviet Union | 16 July 1966 | - | Moscow, Soviet Union |
| 31 | 2:40.8 | | Galina Prozumenshchikova | Soviet Union | 22 August 1966 | European Championships | Utrecht, Netherlands |
| 32 | 2:40.5 | | Catie Ball | United States | 9 July 1967 | Santa Clara Invitational | Santa Clara, United States |
| 33 | 2:39.5 | | Catie Ball | United States | 20 August 1967 | AAU National Championships | Philadelphia, United States |
| 34 | 2:38.5 | | Catie Ball | United States | 26 August 1968 | US Olympic Trials | Los Angeles, United States |
| 35 | 2:37.89 | | Anne-Katrin Schott | East Germany | 6 July 1974 | GDR National Championships | Rostock, East Germany |
| 36 | 2:37.44 | h | Karla Linke | East Germany | 19 August 1974 | European Championships | Vienna, Austria |
| 37 | 2:34.99 | | Karla Linke | East Germany | 19 August 1974 | European Championships | Vienna, Austria |
| 38 | 2:33.35 | | Marina Koshevaya | Soviet Union | 21 July 1976 | Olympic Games | Montreal, Canada |
| 39 | 2:33.32 | | Yulia Bogdanova | Soviet Union | 7 April 1978 | - | Leningrad, Soviet Union |
| 40 | 2:33.11 | h | Lina Kačiušytė | Soviet Union | 24 August 1978 | World Championships | West Berlin, West Germany |
| 41 | 2:31.42 | | Lina Kačiušytė | Soviet Union | 24 August 1978 | World Championships | West Berlin, West Germany |
| 42 | 2:31.09 | | Svetlana Varganova | Soviet Union | 30 March 1979 | USSR vs GDR Duel | Minsk, Soviet Union |
| 43 | 2:28.36 | | Lina Kačiušytė | Soviet Union | 6 April 1979 | USSR vs GDR Junior Meet | Potsdam, East Germany |
| 44 | 2:28.33 | | Silke Hörner | East Germany | 5 June 1985 | - | Leipzig, East Germany |
| 45 | 2:28.20 | | Sylvia Gerasch | East Germany | 1 March 1986 | - | Leningrad, Soviet Union |
| 46 | 2:27.40 | | Silke Hörner | East Germany | 18 August 1986 | World Championships | Madrid, Spain |
| 47 | 2:27.27 | | Allison Higson | Canada | 28 May 1988 | - | Montreal, Canada |
| 48 | 2:26.71 | | Silke Hörner | East Germany | 21 September 1988 | Olympic Games | Seoul, South Korea |
| 49 | 2:25.92 | h | Anita Nall | United States | 2 March 1992 | US Olympic Trials | Indianapolis, United States |
| 50 | 2:25.35 | | Anita Nall | United States | 2 March 1992 | US Olympic Trials | Indianapolis, United States |
| 51 | 2:24.76 | | Rebecca Brown | Australia | 15 March 1994 | Australian Championships | Brisbane, Australia |
| 52 | 2:24.69 | h | Penelope Heyns | South Africa | 17 July 1999 | Janet Evans Invitational | Los Angeles, United States |
| 53 | 2:24.51 | | Penelope Heyns | South Africa | 17 July 1999 | Janet Evans Invitational | Los Angeles, United States |
| 54 | 2:24.42 | sf | Penelope Heyns | South Africa | 26 August 1999 | Pan Pacific Championships | Sydney, Australia |
| 55 | 2:23.64 | | Penelope Heyns | South Africa | 27 August 1999 | Pan Pacific Championships | Sydney, Australia |
| 56 | 2:22.99 | | Qi Hui | China | 13 April 2001 | Chinese National Championships | Hangzhou, China |
| 56 | 2:22.99 | = | Amanda Beard | United States | 25 July 2003 | World Championships | Barcelona, Spain |
| 57 | 2:22.96 | | Leisel Jones | Australia | 10 July 2004 | Swimming Australia Grand Prix | Brisbane, Australia |
| 58 | 2:22.44 | | Amanda Beard | United States | 12 July 2004 | US Olympic Trials | Long Beach, United States |
| 59 | 2:21.72 | | Leisel Jones | Australia | 29 July 2005 | World Championships | Montreal, Canada |
| 60 | 2:20.54 | | Leisel Jones | Australia | 1 February 2006 | Australian Championships | Melbourne, Australia |
| 61 | 2:20.22 | | Rebecca Soni | United States | 15 August 2008 | Olympic Games | Beijing, China |
| 62 | 2:20.12 | sf | Annamay Pierse | Canada | 29 July 2009 | World Championships | Rome, Italy |
| 63 | 2:20.00 | sf | Rebecca Soni | United States | 1 August 2012 | Olympic Games | London, United Kingdom |
| 64 | 2:19.59 | | Rebecca Soni | United States | 2 August 2012 | Olympic Games | London, United Kingdom |
| 65 | 2:19.11 | sf | Rikke Møller Pedersen | Denmark | 1 August 2013 | World Championships | Barcelona, Spain |
| 66 | 2:18.95 | | Tatjana Schoenmaker | South Africa | 30 July 2021 | Olympic Games | Tokyo, Japan |
| 67 | 2:17.55 | | Evgeniia Chikunova | Russia | 21 April 2023 | Russian Championships | Kazan, Russia |

### Short course

| # | Time | | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location |
| 1 | 2:22.92 | | Susanne Bornike | East Germany | 12 February 1989 | World Cup | Bonn, West Germany |
| 2 | 2:22.89 | h | Dai Guohong | China | 3 December 1993 | World Championships | Palma de Mallorca, Spain |
| 3 | 2:21.99 | | Dai Guohong | China | 3 December 1993 | World Championships | Palma de Mallorca, Spain |
| 4 | 2:20.85 | | Samantha Riley | Australia | 1 December 1995 | World Championships | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| 5 | 2:20.22 | | Masami Tanaka | Japan | 2 April 1999 | World Championships | Hong Kong |
| 6 | 2:19.25 | | Qi Hui | China | 28 January 2001 | World Cup | Paris, France |
| 7 | 2:18.86 | | Qi Hui | China | 2 December 2002 | World Cup | Shanghai, China |
| 8 | 2:17.75 | | Leisel Jones | Australia | 29 November 2003 | World Cup | Melbourne, Australia |
| 9 | 2:17.50 | | Annamay Pierse | Canada | 14 March 2009 | Canadian Spring Nationals | Toronto, Canada |
| 10 | 2:16.83 | | Annamay Pierse | Canada | 7 August 2009 | British Grand Prix | Leeds, United Kingdom |
| 11 | 2:15.42 | | Leisel Jones | Australia | 15 November 2009 | World Cup | Berlin, Germany |
| 12 | 2:14.57 | | Rebecca Soni | United States | 18 December 2009 | Duel in the Pool | Manchester, United Kingdom |
| - | 2:14.39 | | Yuliya Yefimova | Russia | 14 December 2013 | European Championships | Herning, Denmark |
| 13 | 2:14.16 | | Kate Douglass | United States | 24 October 2024 | World Cup | Incheon, South Korea |
| 14 | 2:12.72 | | Kate Douglass | United States | 31 October 2024 | World Cup | Singapore |
| 15 | 2:12.50 | | Kate Douglass | United States | 13 December 2024 | World Championships | Budapest, Hungary |

#### Notes

* ^ Rescinded in May 2014 due to doping violation.

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

* Correct as of December 2024
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 2:05.48 | Qin Haiyang (CHN) | 28 July 2023 | Fukuoka |
| 2 | 2:05.85 | Léon Marchand (FRA) | 31 July 2024 | Paris |
| 3 | 2:05.95 | Zac Stubblety-Cook (AUS) | 19 May 2022 | Adelaide |
| 4 | 2:06.12 | Anton Chupkov (RUS) | 26 July 2019 | Gwangju |
| 5 | 2:06.40 | Shoma Sato (JPN) | 7 April 2021 | Tokyo |
| 6 | 2:06.54 | Matthew Fallon (USA) | 19 June 2024 | Indianapolis |
| 7 | 2:06.67 | Ippei Watanabe (JPN) | 29 January 2017 | Tokyo |
| 7 | 2:06.67 | Matthew Wilson (AUS) | 25 July 2019 | Gwangju |
| 9 | 2:06.85 | Arno Kamminga (NED) | 4 December 2020 | Rotterdam |
| 10 | 2:07.01 | Akihiro Yamaguchi (JPN) | 15 September 2012 | Gifu |
| 11 | 2:07.07 | Yamato Fukasawa (JPN) | 17 February 2024 | Chiba |
| 11 | 2:07.07 | Yu Hanaguruma (JPN) | 21 March 2024 | Tokyo |
| 13 | 2:07.13 | Matti Mattsson (FIN) | 29 July 2021 | Tokyo |
| 14 | 2:07.17 | Josh Prenot (USA) | 30 June 2016 | Omaha |
| 15 | 2:07.18 | Yasuhiro Koseki (JPN) | 16 April 2017 | Nagoya |
| 16 | 2:07.23 | Dániel Gyurta (HUN) | 2 August 2013 | Barcelona |
| 17 | 2:07.25 | Kirill Prigoda (RUS) | 21 July 2022 | Kazan |
| 18 | 2:07.30 | Ross Murdoch (GBR) | 24 July 2014 | Glasgow |
| 19 | 2:07.31 | Christian Sprenger (AUS) | 30 July 2009 | Rome |
| 20 | 2:07.41 | Kevin Cordes (USA) | 28 June 2017 | Indianapolis |
| 21 | 2:07.42 | Eric Shanteau (USA) | 30 July 2009 | Rome |
| 22 | 2:07.43 | Michael Jamieson (GBR) | 1 August 2012 | London |
| 23 | 2:07.46 | Dmitriy Balandin (KAZ) | 10 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro |
| 24 | 2:07.47 | Marco Koch (GER) | 18 August 2014 | Berlin |
| 25 | 2:07.49 | James Wilby (GBR) | 19 April 2019 | Glasgow |

#### Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 2:07.49:
* Zac Stubblety-Cook also swam 2:06.28 (2021), 2:06.38 (2021), 2:06.40 (2023), 2:06.72 (2022), 2:06.79 (2024), 2:07.00 (2021, 2021), 2:07.07 (2022), 2:07.27 (2023), 2:07.28 (2019), 2:07.35 (2021), 2:07.36 (2019), 2:07.37 (2021), 2:07.40 (2024).
* Léon Marchand also swam 2:06.59 (2023).
* Matthew Wilson also swam 2:06.68 (2019), 2:07.16 (2019), 2:07.29 (2019).
* Ippei Watanabe also swam 2:06.73 (2019), 2:06.94 (2024), 2:07.02 (2019, 2024), 2:07.08 (2020), 2:07.22 (2016), 2:07.44 (2017), 2:07.47 (2017).
* Shoma Sato also swam 2:06.74 (2021), 2:06.78 (2021), 2:07.02 (2020).
* Anton Chupkov also swam 2:06.80 (2018), 2:06.83 (2019), 2:06.96 (2017), 2:06.99 (2021), 2:07.00 (2019), 2:07.14 (2017), 2:07.19 (2022), 2:07.24 (2021), 2:07.32 (2020), 2:07.46 (2017), 2:07.48 (2019).
* Arno Kamminga also swam 2:07.01 (2021), 2:07.17 (2020) 2:07.18 (2020), 2:07.23 (2021), 2:07.35 (2021), 2:07.37 (2021), 2:07.39 (2021), 2:07.48 (2021).
* Qin Haiyang also swam 2:07.03 (2023), 2:07.32 (2023), 2:07.35 (2017), 2:07.45 (2023).
* Yamato Fukasawa also swam 2:07.24 (2025).
* Dániel Gyurta also swam 2:07.28 (2012).
* Josh Prenot also swam 2:07.28 (2018).
* Yasuhiro Koseki also swam 2:07.29 (2017).
* Matthew Fallon also swam 2:07.39 (2024).
* Kirill Prigoda also swam 2:07.47 (2023).

### Men short course

* Correct as of December 2024
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 2:00.16 | Kirill Prigoda (RUS) | 13 December 2018 | Hangzhou |
| 2 | 2:00.35 | Daiya Seto (JPN) | 16 December 2022 | Melbourne |
| 3 | 2:00.44 | Marco Koch (GER) | 20 November 2016 | Berlin |
| 4 | 2:00.48 | Dániel Gyurta (HUN) | 31 August 2014 | Dubai |
| 5 | 2:01.15 | Qin Haiyang (CHN) | 13 December 2018 | Hangzhou |
| 6 | 2:01.43 | Michael Jamieson (GBR) | 15 December 2013 | Glasgow |
| 6 | 2:01.43 | Arno Kamminga (NED) | 17 December 2020 | Amsterdam |
| 8 | 2:01.55 | Carles Coll Marti (ESP) | 13 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 9 | 2:01.57 | Anton Chupkov (RUS) | 11 November 2018 | Tokyo |
| 10 | 2:01.60 | Nic Fink (USA) | 16 December 2022 | Melbourne |
| 11 | 2:01.65 | Anton McKee (ISL) | 1 November 2020 | Budapest |
| 12 | 2:01.67 | Joshua Yong (AUS) | 20 October 2024 | Shanghai |
| 13 | 2:01.70 | Ippei Watanabe (JPN) | 23 October 2022 | Tokyo |
| 14 | 2:01.73 | Ilya Shymanovich (BLR) | 6 November 2021 | Kazan |
| 15 | 2:01.78 | Yasuhiro Koseki (JPN) | 27 October 2019 | Tokyo |
| 16 | 2:01.85 | Mikhail Dorinov (RUS) | 14 December 2017 | Copenhagen |
| 17 | 2:01.91 | Aleksandr Zhigalov (RUS) | 23 November 2024 | St. Petersburg |
| 18 | 2:01.98 | Christian Sprenger (AUS) | 10 August 2009 | Hobart |
| 19 | 2:02.01 | Yamato Fukasawa (JPN) | 13 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 20 | 2:02.18 | Erik Persson (SWE) | 6 November 2021 | Kazan |
| 21 | 2:02.27 | Will Licon (USA) | 21 November 2020 | Budapest |
| 22 | 2:02.33 | Cody Miller (USA) | 11 December 2015 | Indianapolis |
| 22 | 2:02.33 | Caspar Corbeau (NED) | 2 November 2024 | Singapore |
| 24 | 2:02.38 | Kevin Cordes (USA) | 15 December 2013 | Glasgow |
| 24 | 2:02.38 | Oleg Kostin (RUS) | 18 November 2013 | Kazan |

#### Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 2:02.38:
* Marco Koch also swam 2:00.53 (2015), 2:00.58 (2020), 2:00.81 (2020), 2:01.21 (2016), 2:01.28 (2014), 2:01.31 (2020), 2:01.40 (2020), 2:01.41 (2016), 2:01.42 (2018), 2:01.43 (2016), 2:01.52 (2017), 2:01.62 (2013), 2:01.71 (2014), 2:01.90 (2013), 2:01.91 (2014), 2:01.92 (2016), 2:01.94 (2016), 2:02.07 (2014), 2:02.12 (2020), 2:02.13 (2016), 2:02.31 (2016).
* Dániel Gyurta also swam 2:00.67 (2009), 2:00.72 (2013), 2:01.06 (2014), 2:01.30 (2013), 2:01.35 (2012), 2:01.37 (2013), 2:01.44 (2013), 2:01.49 (2014), 2:01.88 (2014), 2:01.99 (2015), 2:02.12 (2014), 2:02.30 (2014), 2:02.36 (2015), 2:02.37 (2011).
* Kirill Prigoda also swam 2:01.11 (2017), 2:01.18 (2017), 2:01.20 (2020), 2:01.24 (2017), 2:01.30 (2018), 2:01.58 (2018), 2:01.59 (2018, 2018), 2:01.71 (2020), 2:01.82 (2018), 2:01.85 (2018, 2024), 2:01.88 (2024), 2:02.09 (2024), 2:02.15 (2017), 2:02.16 (2017), 2:02.38 (2014).
* Daiya Seto also swam 2:01.30 (2017), 2:01.49 (2021), 2:01.63 (2022), 2:01.65 (2021).
* Qin Haiyang also swam 2:01.64 (2018), 2:01.92 (2024), 2:02.22 (2022).
* Anton Chupkov also swam 2:01.65 (2017), 2:01.70 (2018), 2:01.73 (2018), 2:01.86 (2018), 2:02.10 (2018, 2020).
* Anton McKee also swam 2:01.73 (2020).
* Arno Kamminga also swam 2:01.74 (2021), 2:01.92 (2021), 2:02.05 (2021), 2:02.07 (2021), 2:02.13 (2021), 2:02.23 (2020), 2:02.32 (2021), 2:02.36 (2019).
* Michael Jamieson also swam 2:01.83 (2013).
* Ilya Shymanovich also swam 2:02.06 (2021), 2:02.10 (2021).
* Mikhail Dorinov also swam 2:02.07 (2021).
* Aleksandr Zhigalov also swam 2:02.12 (2024).
* Yasuhiro Koseki also swam 2:02.18 (2018), 2:02.19 (2020).
* Nic Fink also swam 2:02.20 (2020), 2:02.28 (2021), 2:02.34 (2019).
* Yamato Fukasawa also swam 2:02.24 (2024).

### Women long course

* Correct as of December 2024
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 2:17.55 | Evgeniia Chikunova (RUS) | 21 April 2023 | Kazan |
| 2 | 2:18.95 | Tatjana Schoenmaker (RSA) | 30 July 2021 | Tokyo |
| 3 | 2:19.11 | Rikke Møller Pedersen (DEN) | 1 August 2013 | Barcelona |
| 4 | 2:19.24 | Kate Douglass (USA) | 13 July 2024 | Paris |
| 5 | 2:19.41 | Yuliya Yefimova (RUS) | 2 August 2013 | Barcelona |
| 6 | 2:19.59 | Rebecca Soni (USA) | 2 August 2012 | London |
| 7 | 2:19.64 | Viktoriya Zeynep Güneş (TUR) | 30 August 2015 | Singapore |
| 8 | 2:19.65 | Rie Kaneto (JPN) | 4 April 2016 | Tokyo |
| 9 | 2:19.81 | Tes Schouten (NED) | 16 February 2024 | Doha |
| 10 | 2:19.92 | Lilly King (USA) | 30 July 2021 | Tokyo |
| 11 | 2:20.12 | Annamay Pierse (CAN) | 30 July 2009 | Rome |
| 12 | 2:20.54 | Leisel Jones (AUS) | 1 February 2006 | Melbourne |
| 13 | 2:20.72 | Satomi Suzuki (JPN) | 2 August 2012 | London |
| 14 | 2:20.77 | Annie Lazor (USA) | 19 May 2019 | Bloomington |
| 15 | 2:20.89 | Molly Renshaw (GBR) | 15 April 2021 | London |
| 16 | 2:20.90 | Kanako Watanabe (JPN) | 12 April 2015 | Tokyo |
| 17 | 2:21.37 | Qi Hui (CHN) | 17 October 2009 | Jinan |
| 18 | 2:21.45 | Taylor McKeown (AUS) | 11 April 2016 | Adelaide |
| 19 | 2:21.62 | Nađa Higl (SRB) | 31 July 2009 | Rome |
| 20 | 2:21.69 | Abbie Wood (GBR) | 15 April 2021 | London |
| 21 | 2:21.74 | Micah Sumrall (USA) | 1 August 2013 | Barcelona |
| 22 | 2:21.77 | Bethany Galat (USA) | 28 July 2017 | Budapest |
| 23 | 2:21.85 | Reona Aoki (JPN) | 8 April 2018 | Tokyo |
| 24 | 2:21.93 | Shi Jinglin (CHN) | 28 July 2017 | Budapest |
| 25 | 2:21.97 | Mirna Jukić (AUT) | 31 July 2009 | Rome |

#### Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 2:21.97:
* Evgeniia Chikunova also swam 2:18.98 (2024), 2:19.74 (2024), 2:20.41 (2022), 2:20.57 (2021), 2:20.88 (2021), 2:21.07 (2019), 2:21.63 (2021), 2:21.87 (2020).
* Tatjana Schoenmaker also swam 2:19.01 (2024), 2:19.16 (2021), 2:19.33 (2021), 2:19.60 (2024), 2:19.92 (2024), 2:19.94 (2024), 2:20.17 (2021), 2:20.30 (2023), 2:20.35 (2023), 2:20.80 (2023), 2:21.30 (2021), 2:21.31 (2023), 2:21.57 (2024), 2:21.76 (2022), 2:21.79 (2019), 2:21.92 (2022).
* Kate Douglass also swam 2:19.30 (2024), 2:19.46 (2024), 2:19.66 (2024), 2:19.74 (2024), 2:19.89 (2024), 2:19.95 (2024), 2:20.91 (2024), 2:21.22 (2023), 2:21.23 (2023, 2024), 2:21.43 (2022), 2:21.87 (2023).
* Rikke Møller Pedersen also swam 2:19.61 (2014), 2:19.67 (2014), 2:19.84 (2014), 2:19.94 (2014), 2:20.08 (2013), 2:20.53 (2013), 2:21.55 (2013), 2:21.58 (2015), 2:21.60 (2015), 2:21.65 (2012), 2:21.69 (2016).
* Yuliya Yefimova also swam 2:19.64 (2017), 2:19.83 (2017), 2:19.85 (2013), 2:20.15 (2017), 2:20.17 (2019), 2:20.72 (2018), 2:20.92 (2012), 2:21.20 (2019), 2:21.31 (2018), 2:21.35 (2017), 2:21.41 (2016), 2:21.49 (2017), 2:21.54 (2017), 2:21.59 (2019), 2:21.60 (2019), 2:21.86 (2021), 2:21.97 (2016).
* Rebecca Soni also swam 2:20.00 (2012), 2:20.22 (2008), 2:20.38 (2009), 2:20.69 (2010), 2:20.93 (2009), 2:21.03 (2011), 2:21.13 (2012), 2:21.40 (2012), 2:21.41 (2010), 2:21.45 (2012), 2:21.46 (2011), 2:21.47 (2011), 2:21.60 (2010).
* Rie Kaneto also swam 2:20.04 (2016), 2:20.30 (2016), 2:20.72 (2009), 2:20.93 (2016), 2:21.05 (2016), 2:21.58 (2014), 2:21.90 (2014, 2015), 2:21.92 (2014).
* Leisel Jones also swam 2:20.58 (2008), 2:20.72 (2006), 2:21.34 (2008), 2:21.45 (2007), 2:21.60 (2006), 2:21.72 (2005), 2:21.81 (2008), 2:21.84 (2007).
* Annamay Pierse also swam 2:20.71 (2009), 2:21.68 (2009), 2:21.84 (2009).
* Annie Lazor also swam 2:20.84 (2021), 2:21.07 (2021), 2:21.40 (2019), 2:21.67 (2020), 2:21.91 (2022), 2:21.94 (2021).
* Lilly King also swam 2:20.95 (2023), 2:21.19 (2022), 2:21.39 (2019), 2:21.75 (2021), 2:21.82 (2021), 2:21.83 (2017), 2:21.93 (2024).
* Tes Schouten also swam 2:21.05 (2024), 2:21.43 (2024), 2:21.50 (2024), 2:21.52 (2023), 2:21.63 (2023), 2:21.71 (2023, 2023), 2:21.84 (2023).
* Kanako Watanabe also swam 2:21.09 (2014), 2:21.15 (2015), 2:21.41 (2014), 2:21.82 (2014).
* Molly Renshaw also swam 2:21.34 (2021), 2:21.55 (2021).
* Taylor McKeown also swam 2:21.69 (2016).
* Bethany Galat also swam 2:21.84 (2019), 2:21.86 (2017).
* Abbie Wood also swam 2:21.86 (2021).
* Micah Sumrall also swam 2:21.88 (2018).

### Women short course

* Correct as of December 2024
| Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue |
| 1 | 2:12.50 | Kate Douglass (USA) | 13 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 2 | 2:14.39 | Yuliya Yefimova (RUS) | 14 December 2013 | Herning |
| 3 | 2:14.57 | Rebecca Soni (USA) | 18 December 2009 | Manchester |
| 4 | 2:14.70 | Evgeniia Chikunova (RUS) | 25 November 2022 | Kazan |
| 5 | 2:15.21 | Rikke Møller Pedersen (DEN) | 13 December 2013 | Herning |
| 6 | 2:15.42 | Leisel Jones (AUS) | 15 November 2009 | Berlin |
| 7 | 2:15.56 | Lilly King (USA) | 21 November 2020 | Budapest |
| 8 | 2:15.76 | Rie Kaneto (JPN) | 9 October 2016 | Doha |
| 9 | 2:16.09 | Tes Schouten (NED) | 8 December 2023 | Otopeni |
| 10 | 2:16.33 | Annie Lazor (USA) | 21 November 2020 | Budapest |
| 11 | 2:16.51 | Emily Escobedo (USA) | 5 November 2020 | Budapest |
| 12 | 2:16.83 | Alex Walsh (USA) | 13 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 12 | 2:16.83 | Annamay Pierse (CAN) | 7 August 2009 | Leeds |
| 14 | 2:16.92 | Kanako Watanabe (JPN) | 7 December 2014 | Doha |
| 15 | 2:16.93 | Laura Sogar (USA) | 16 December 2012 | Istanbul |
| 16 | 2:17.00 | Kelsey Wog (CAN) | 25 November 2023 | Winnipeg |
| 17 | 2:17.10 | Jocelyn Ulyett (GBR) | 6 December 2019 | Sheffield |
| 18 | 2:17.25 | Mio Motegi (JPN) | 15 December 2014 | Tokyo |
| 19 | 2:17.30 | Alina Zmushka (BLR) | 13 December 2024 | Budapest |
| 20 | 2:17.50 | Katy Freeman (USA) | 18 December 2009 | Manchester |
| 21 | 2:17.52 | Nadja Higl (SRB) | 11 December 2009 | Istanbul |
| 22 | 2:17.75 | Sydney Pickrem (CAN) | 21 November 2020 | Budapest |
| 23 | 2:17.80 | Molly Renshaw (GBR) | 14 November 2020 | Buapest |
| 24 | 2:17.84 | Alia Atkinson (JAM) | 2 November 2014 | Singapore |
| 25 | 2:17.99 | Breeja Larson (USA) | 30 October 2016 | Hong Kong |

#### Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 2:17.99:
* Kate Douglass also swam 2:12.72 (2024), 2:14.16 (2024), 2:15.77 (2022), 2:15.96 (2024), 2:16.52 (2022), 2:16.64 (2024), 2:17.10 (2024), 2:17.11 (2024).
* Evgenia Chikunova also swam 2:15.14 (2024), 2:16.88 (2021), 2:17.04 (2024), 2:17.57 (2021), 2:17.71 (2019), 2:17.82 (2021), 2:17.88 (2021), 2:17.89 (2024), 2:17.93 (2022).
* Yuliya Yefimova also swam 2:15.62 (2018), 2:16.05 (2018), 2:16.29 (2018), 2:16.39 (2016), 2:16.49 (2016), 2:16.54 (2016), 2:16.88 (2016), 2:16.98 (2018), 2:17.32 (2016), 2:17.37 (2016), 2:17.88 (2016, 2018).
* Lilly King also swam 2:15.80 (2020), 2:16.04 (2020), 2:16.47 (2021), 2:16.79 (2020), 2:16.83 (2021), 2:17.03 (2019), 2:17.06 (2021), 2:17.11 (2020), 2:17.13 (2022), 2:17.18 (2020), 2:17.43 (2021), 2:17.56 (2022), 2:17.59 (2021), 2:17.66 (2021), 2:17.78 (2020), 2:17.86 (2021).
* Rie Kaneto also swam 2:15.91 (2016), 2:16.27 (2016), 2:16.30 (2016), 2:16.73 (2009), 2:16.75 (2016), 2:16.99 (2016), 2:17.62 (2016).
* Rikke Møller Pedersen also swam 2:15.93 (2013), 2:16.08 (2012), 2:16.66 (2009), 2:17.05 (2013), 2:17.26 (2012), 2:17.83 (2014).
* Rebecca Soni also swam 2:16.39 (2010), 2:17.69 (2011).
* Emily Escobedo also swam 2:16.71 (2020), 2:17.77 (2020), 2:17.85 (2021).
* Tes Schouten also swam 2:16.98 (2023).
* Annie Lazor also swam 2:17.04 (2020), 2:17.39 (2020), 2:17.87 (2020).
* Kelsey Wog also swam 2:17.13 (2020, 2020), 2:17.18 (2020), 2:17.51 (2020).
* Annamay Pierse also swam 2:17.50 (2009).
* Leisel Jones also swam 2:17.75 (2003).
* Molly Renshaw also swam 2:17.81 (2020), 2:17.96 (2021), 2:17.98 (2016).
* Laura Sogar also swam 2:17.85 (2012).