The List of world records in swimming is a catalog of the fastest times ever officially recorded in the sport of swimming, as ratified by World Aquatics (formerly FINA). The list is divided by pool length—long course (50 metre) and short course (25 metre)—and by gender, with additional mixed‑gender relay events. Records are recognized only when achieved in competitions that meet World Aquatics’ technical and anti‑doping requirements.
Organization of the list
| Category | Events (typical) | Record‑keeping body |
|---|---|---|
| Long‑course (50 m) – Men | 50 m, 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 800 m, 1500 m freestyle; 50 m, 100 m, 200 m backstroke; 50 m, 100 m, 200 m breaststroke; 50 m, 100 m, 200 m butterfly; 200 m & 400 m individual medley; 4 × 100 m freestyle relay; 4 × 200 m freestyle relay; 4 × 100 m medley relay | World Aquatics |
| Long‑course (50 m) – Women | Same event set as men, with the addition of the women’s 800 m freestyle (standard) and 1500 m freestyle (standard) | World Aquatics |
| Long‑course (50 m) – Mixed relays | 4 × 100 m freestyle; 4 × 100 m medley (two men and two women per team) | World Aquatics |
| Short‑course (25 m) – Men | Identical to long‑course events, except the 800 m freestyle is contested only for men and women (instead of 1500 m) in many championships | World Aquatics |
| Short‑course (25 m) – Women | Same set as men, with both 800 m and 1500 m freestyle events contested in some meets | World Aquatics |
| Short‑course (25 m) – Mixed relays | 4 × 50 m freestyle; 4 × 50 m medley | World Aquatics |
Representative records (as of July 2024)
| Event | Record holder | Time | Date & venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s long‑course 100 m freestyle | David Popovici (Romania) | 46.86 s | 24 Aug 2022 – World Championships, Budapest |
| Women’s long‑course 1500 m freestyle | Katie Ledecky (USA) | 15:20.48 | 23 July 2023 – World Championships, Fukuoka |
| Men’s long‑course 50 m freestyle | César Cielo (Brazil) | 20.91 s | 21 Jul 2009 – World Championships, Rome |
| Women’s long‑course 100 m butterfly | Sarah Sjöström (Sweden) | 55.48 s | 6 Jul 2016 – Rio Olympics |
| Men’s short‑course 100 m butterfly | Caeleb Dressel (USA) | 47.78 s | 13 Nov 2020 – International Swim Meet, Indianapolis |
| Women’s short‑course 200 m breaststroke | Rikke Møller Pedersen (Denmark) | 2:15.95 | 12 Oct 2020 – International Sprint Meet, Paris |
Note: The above times are illustrative of the most widely cited records and are subject to change when new performances are ratified. For a complete and up‑to‑date table, consult the official World Aquatics “World Records” page.
Maintenance and verification
- Ratification process – Performances must be achieved in competitions that employ fully automatic timing, approved swimwear, and are subject to anti‑doping control. World Aquatics reviews submitted documentation before confirming a record.
- Historical revisions – Records set during periods when certain high‑tech polyurethane suits were permitted (2008‑2009) remain on the list unless superseded, as they were ratified under the rules in force at the time.
- Updates – The official list is updated promptly after each major international meet (World Championships, Olympic Games, Continental Championships) and after any World Aquatics‑sanctioned event where a faster time is recorded.
Usage
The list serves several functions:
- Benchmarking – Athletes and coaches use world‑record times as performance targets.
- Statistical analysis – Researchers examine trends in swimming performance, technology impact, and gender differences.
- Historical reference – Media and historians cite the list when reporting on breakthrough swims or record‑breaking performances.
For the definitive, current compilation of world records—including full tables for every event, swimmer nationality, and record date—refer to the “World Records” section of the World Aquatics website or the latest printed edition of the FINA Swimming World Records handbook.
