The Women’s World Records from Newest to Oldest
Less than a week has elapsed since Gretchen Walsh notched the latest world record of her career. While racing at the Fort Lauderdale Open, Walsh popped a mark of 54.33 in the 100-meter butterfly, an effort that took .27 off her previous standard. The owner of the 13-fastest times in history, Walsh could visit sub-54 territory in the near future, such is her talent and the momentum she has built.
Here is a look at the women’s world records in order of youth, led by Walsh’s newly minted standard.
100 Butterfly
Owner: Gretchen Walsh
Time: 54.33
Date: May 2, 2026
Age of Record: Five Days
400 Individual Medley
Owner: Summer McIntosh
Time: 4:23.65
Date: June 11, 2025
Age of Record: 10 Months, 26 Days
200 Individual Medley
Owner: Summer McIntosh
Time: 2:05.70
Date: June 9, 2025
Age of Record: 10 Months, 28 Days
400 Freestyle
Owner: Summer McIntosh
Time: 3:54.18
Date: June 7, 2025
Age of Record: 11 Months, 0 Days
800 Freestyle
Owner: Katie Ledecky
Time: 8:04.12
Date: May 3, 2025
Age of Record: One Year, Four Days
100 Backstroke
Owner: Regan Smith
Time: 57.13
Date: June 18, 2024
Age of Record: One Year, 10 Months, 19 Days
200 Freestyle
Owner: Ariarne Titmus
Time: 1:52.23
Date: June 12, 2024
Age of Record: One Year, 10 Months, 25 Days
50 Backstroke
Owner: Kaylee McKeown
Time: 26.86
Date: October 20, 2023
Age of Record: Two Years, Six Months, 17 Days
50 Breaststroke
Owner: Ruta Meilutyte
Time: 29.16
Date: July 30, 2023
Age of Record: Two Years, Nine Months, Seven Days
50 Freestyle
Owner: Sarah Sjostrom
Time: 23.61
Date: July 29, 2023
Age of Record: Two Years, Nine Months, Eight Days
200 Breaststroke
Owner: Evgeniia Chikunova
Time: 2:17.55
Date: April 21, 2023
Age of Record: Three Years, 16 Days
200 Backstroke
Owner: Kaylee McKeown
Time: 2:03.14
Date: March 10, 2023
Age of Record: Three Years, One Month, 27 Days
1500 Freestyle
Owner: Katie Ledecky
Time: 15:20.48
Date: May 16, 2018
Age of Record: Seven Years, 11 Months, 21 Days
100 Breaststroke
Owner: Lilly King
Time: 1:04.13
Date: July 25, 2017
Age of Record: Eight Years, Nine Months, 12 Days
100 Freestyle
Owner: Sarah Sjostrom
Time: 51.71
Date: July 23, 2017
Age of Record: Eight Years, Nine Months, 14 Days
50 Butterfly
Owner: Sarah Sjostrom
Time: 24.43
Date: July 5, 2014
Age of Record: 11 Years, Nine Months, 12 Days
200 Butterfly
Owner: Liu Zige
Time: 2:01.81
Date: October 21, 2009
Age of Record: 16 Years, Six Months, 16 Days