World record progression 100 metres butterfly
The first world record in the 100 metres butterfly in long course swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation in 1957, for both men and women. In the short-course swimming events, the world's governing body recognizes world records since March 3, 1991.
All-time top 25
Men long course
- Correct as of December 2025
| Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | |||
| 1 | 1 | 49.45 | Caeleb Dressel | 31 July 2021 | Tokyo | ||
| 2 | 49.50 | Dressel #2 | 26 July 2019 | Gwangju | |||
| 2 | 3 | 49.62 | Maxime Grousset | 2 August 2025 | Singapore | ||
| 4 | 49.66 | Dressel #3 | 27 July 2019 | Gwangju | |||
| 3 | 5 | 49.68 | Kristóf Milák | 31 July 2021 | Tokyo | ||
| 6 | 49.71 | Dressel #4 | 30 July 2021 | Tokyo | |||
| 7 | 49.76 | Dressel #5 | 18 June 2021 | Omaha | |||
| 4 | 8 | 49.82 | Michael Phelps | 1 August 2009 | Rome | ||
| 5 | 9 | 49.83 | Noè Ponti | 2 August 2025 | Singapore | ||
| 10 | 49.86 | Dressel #6 | 29 July 2017 | Budapest | |||
| 11 | 49.87 | Dressel #7 | 19 June 2021 | Omaha | |||
| 12 | 49.90 | Milák #2 | 3 August 2024 | Paris | |||
| 6 | 13 | 49.95 | Milorad Čavić | 1 August 2009 | Rome | ||
| 7 | 14 | 49.99 | Joshua Liendo | 3 August 2024 | Paris | ||
| 15 | 50.01 | Čavić #2 | 31 July 2009 | Rome | |||
| 15 | 50.01 | Dressel #8 | 28 April 2022 | Greensboro | |||
| 17 | 50.06 | Liendo #2 | 19 May 2024 | Toronto | |||
| 18 | 50.07 | Dressel #9 | 28 July 2017 | Budapest | |||
| 8 | 18 | 50.07 | Ilya Kharun | 2 August 2025 | Singapore | ||
| 20 | 50.08 | Dressel #10 | 28 July 2017 | Budapest | |||
| 21 | 50.09 | Liendo #3 | 2 August 2025 | Singapore | |||
| 22 | 50.11 | Grousset #2 | 19 June 2025 | Montpellier | |||
| 23 | 50.14 | Milák #3 | 23 June 2022 | Budapest | |||
| 23 | 50.14 | Milák #4 | 24 June 2022 | Budapest | |||
| 23 | 50.14 | Grousset #3 | 29 July 2023 | Fukuoka | |||
| 9 | 50.24 | Shaine Casas | 5 December 2025 | Austin | |||
| 10 | 50.25 | Matthew Temple | 3 December 2023 | Tokyo | |||
| 11 | 50.39 | Joseph Schooling | 12 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro | |||
| 12 | 50.40 | Ian Crocker | 30 July 2005 | Montreal | |||
| 13 | 50.41 | Rafael Muñoz | 1 August 2009 | Rome | |||
| 14 | 50.42 | Thomas Ceccon | 1 August 2025 | Singapore | |||
| 15 | 50.46 | Dare Rose | 29 July 2023 | Fukuoka | |||
| 16 | 50.55 | Hubert Kós | 12 April 2025 | Kaposvár | |||
| 17 | 50.56 | Chad le Clos | 8 August 2015 | Kazan | |||
| 18 | 50.59 | Nyls Korstanje | 2 August 2024 | Paris | |||
| 19 | 50.64 | Piero Codia | 9 August 2018 | Glasgow | |||
| 20 | 50.65 | Albert Subirats | 31 July 2009 | Rome | |||
| 21 | 50.67 | James Guy | 28 July 2017 | Budapest | |||
| 22 | 50.68 | Maxime Rooney | 2 August 2019 | Stanford | |||
| 23 | 50.70 | Thomas Heilman | 5 June 2025 | Indianapolis | |||
| 23 | 50.70 | Roman Shevliakov | 24 June 2025 | Kazan | |||
| 25 | 50.78 | Jason Dunford | 31 July 2009 | Rome |
Men short course
- Correct as of December 2025
| Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | |||
| 1 | 1 | 47.68 | Joshua Liendo | 23 October 2025 | Toronto | ||
| 2 | 2 | 47.71 | Noè Ponti | 14 December 2024 | Budapest | ||
| 3 | 3 | 47.78 | Caeleb Dressel | 21 November 2020 | Budapest | ||
| 4 | 47.98 | Ponti #2 | 13 April 2025 | Uster | |||
| 4 | 5 | 48.08 | Chad le Clos | 8 December 2016 | Windsor | ||
| 5 | 6 | 48.10 | Maxime Grousset | 5 December 2025 | Lublin | ||
| 7 | 48.11 | Ponti #3 | 5 December 2025 | Lublin | |||
| 6 | 8 | 48.35 | Ilya Kharun | 23 October 2025 | Toronto | ||
| 9 | 48.38 | Ponti #4 | 23 October 2025 | Toronto | |||
| 10 | 48.40 | Ponti #5 | 18 October 2024 | Shanghai | |||
| 11 | 48.44 | le Clos #2 | 4 December 2014 | Doha | |||
| 12 | 48.45 | le Clos #3 | 21 November 2020 | Budapest | |||
| 7 | 13 | 48.47 | Tom Shields | 21 November 2020 | Budapest | ||
| 13 | 48.47 | Ponti #6 | 6 December 2023 | Otopeni | |||
| 13 | 48.47 | Ponti #7 | 17 October 2025 | Westmont | |||
| 8 | 16 | 48.48 | Yevgeny Korotyshkin | 15 November 2009 | Berlin | ||
| 17 | 48.50 | le Clos #4 | 13 December 2018 | Hangzhou | |||
| 18 | 48.53 | Dressel #2 | 4 September 2021 | Naples | |||
| 18 | 48.53 | Ponti #8 | 10 October 2025 | Carmel | |||
| 20 | 48.56 | le Clos #5 | 30 September 2014 | Hong Kong | |||
| 21 | 48.57 | Grousset #2 | 14 December 2024 | Budapest | |||
| 22 | 48.58 | le Clos #6 | 21 October 2022 | Berlin | |||
| 23 | 48.59 | le Clos #7 | 1 September 2014 | Dubai | |||
| 23 | 48.59 | le Clos #8 | 18 December 2022 | Melbourne | |||
| 23 | 48.59 | Ponti #9 | 15 November 2024 | Sursee | |||
| 9 | 48.62 | Matthew Temple | 13 December 2023 | Adelaide | |||
| 10 | 48.64 | Matteo Rivolta | 27 November 2021 | Eindhoven | |||
| 11 | 48.99 | Nyls Korstanje | 24 October 2024 | Incheon | |||
| 12 | 49.02 | Simon Bucher | 29 November 2024 | Graz | |||
| 13 | 49.06 | Marius Kusch | 5 December 2019 | Glasgow | |||
| 14 | 49.07 | Ian Crocker | 26 March 2004 | East Meadow | |||
| 15 | 49.08 | Michele Busa | 14 December 2024 | Budapest | |||
| 16 | 49.10 | Coleman Stewart | 4 September 2021 | Naples | |||
| 17 | 49.13 | Simone Stefanì | 1 December 2021 | Riccione | |||
| 18 | 49.14 | Dare Rose | 13 December 2024 | Budapest | |||
| 19 | 49.18 | Marcin Cieślak | 21 November 2020 | Budapest | |||
| 20 | 49.19 | Milorad Čavić | 12 December 2008 | Rijeka | |||
| 20 | 49.19 | Andrey Minakov | 13 December 2024 | Budapest | |||
| 22 | 49.21 | Adam Barrett | 7 December 2016 | Windsor | |||
| 23 | 49.22 | Tomoe Zenimoto Hvas | 2 November 2021 | Kazan | |||
| 24 | 49.23 | Steffen Deibler | 15 November 2009 | Berlin | |||
| 25 | 49.25 | Li Zhuhao | 13 December 2018 | Hangzhou | |||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Women long course
- Correct as of December 2025
| Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | |||
| 1 | 1 | 54.60 | Gretchen Walsh | 3 May 2025 | Fort Lauderdale | ||
| 2 | 54.73 | Walsh #2 | 28 July 2025 | Singapore | |||
| 3 | 54.76 | Walsh #3 | 5 June 2025 | Indianapolis | |||
| 4 | 55.09 | Walsh #4 | 3 May 2025 | Fort Lauderdale | |||
| 5 | 55.18 | Walsh #5 | 15 June 2024 | Indianapolis | |||
| 6 | 55.29 | Walsh #6 | 5 June 2025 | Indianapolis | |||
| 7 | 55.31 | Walsh #7 | 16 June 2024 | Indianapolis | |||
| 8 | 55.38 | Walsh #8 | 27 July 2024 | Paris | |||
| 2 | 9 | 55.48 | Sarah Sjöström | 7 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro | ||
| 3 | 10 | 55.52 | Torri Huske | 16 June 2024 | Indianapolis | ||
| 11 | 55.53 | Sjöström #2 | 24 July 2017 | Budapest | |||
| 4 | 12 | 55.59 | Maggie Mac Neil | 26 July 2021 | Tokyo | ||
| 12 | 55.59 | Huske #2 | 28 July 2024 | Paris | |||
| 14 | 55.60 | Walsh #9 | 5 December 2025 | Austin | |||
| 5 | 15 | 55.62 | Zhang Yufei | 29 September 2020 | Qingdao | ||
| 5 | 15 | 55.62 | Regan Smith | 16 June 2024 | Indianapolis | ||
| 17 | 55.63 | Walsh #10 | 28 July 2024 | Paris | |||
| 18 | 55.64 | Sjöström #3 | 3 August 2015 | Kazan | |||
| 18 | 55.64 | Zhang #2 | 26 July 2021 | Tokyo | |||
| 18 | 55.64 | Huske #3 | 19 June 2022 | Budapest | |||
| 21 | 55.66 | Huske #4 | 14 June 2021 | Omaha | |||
| 22 | 55.68 | Sjöström #4 | 31 March 2016 | Stockholm | |||
| 22 | 55.68 | Huske #5 | 12 April 2024 | San Antonio | |||
| 22 | 55.68 | Walsh #11 | 27 July 2025 | Singapore | |||
| 7 | 25 | 55.72 | Emma McKeon | 26 July 2021 | Tokyo | ||
| 8 | 55.84 | Roos Vanotterdijk | 28 July 2025 | Singapore | |||
| 9 | 55.98 | Dana Vollmer | 29 July 2012 | London | |||
| 10 | 56.07 | Liu Zige | 18 October 2009 | Jinan | |||
| 11 | 56.08 | Rikako Ikee | 11 August 2018 | Tokyo | |||
| 12 | 56.11 | Angelina Köhler | 11 February 2024 | Doha | |||
| 13 | 56.14 | Marie Wattel | 19 June 2022 | Budapest | |||
| 14 | 56.19 | Alexandria Perkins | 27 July 2025 | Singapore | |||
| 15 | 56.20 | Claire Curzan | 10 April 2021 | Cary | |||
| 16 | 56.22 | Louise Hansson | 26 July 2021 | Tokyo | |||
| 17 | 56.23 | Jessicah Schipper | 27 July 2009 | Rome | |||
| 18 | 56.33 | Mizuki Hirai | 22 June 2024 | Kanagawa | |||
| 19 | 56.37 | Kelsi Dahlia | 24 July 2017 | Budapest | |||
| 20 | 56.42 | Daria Klepikova | 27 July 2025 | Singapore | |||
| 21 | 56.43 | Kate Douglass | 29 June 2023 | Indianapolis | |||
| 22 | 56.46 | Penny Oleksiak | 7 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro | |||
| 23 | 56.51 | Jeanette Ottesen | 18 August 2014 | Berlin | |||
| 24 | 56.61 | Inge de Bruijn | 17 September 2000 | Sydney | |||
| 24 | 56.61 | Chen Xinyi | 23 September 2014 | Incheon |
Women short course
- Correct as of December 2025
| Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | |||
| 1 | 1 | 52.71 | Gretchen Walsh | 14 December 2024 | Budapest | ||
| 2 | 52.87 | Walsh #2 | 13 December 2024 | Budapest | |||
| 3 | 53.10 | Walsh #3 | 25 October 2025 | Toronto | |||
| 4 | 53.24 | Walsh #4 | 13 December 2024 | Budapest | |||
| 5 | 53.69 | Walsh #5 | 12 October 2025 | Carmel | |||
| 6 | 53.72 | Walsh #6 | 19 October 2025 | Westmont | |||
| 7 | 53.83 | Walsh #7 | 25 October 2025 | Toronto | |||
| 2 | 8 | 54.05 | Maggie Mac Neil | 18 December 2022 | Melbourne | ||
| 9 | 54.28 | Walsh #8 | 19 October 2025 | Westmont | |||
| 10 | 54.43 | Walsh #9 | 12 October 2025 | Carmel | |||
| 3 | 11 | 54.59 | Kelsi Dahlia | 3 December 2021 | Eindhoven | ||
| 4 | 12 | 54.61 | Sarah Sjöström | 7 December 2014 | Doha | ||
| 5 | 13 | 54.66 | Tessa Giele | 14 December 2024 | Budapest | ||
| 6 | 14 | 54.75 | Torri Huske | 18 December 2022 | Melbourne | ||
| 15 | 54.78 | Mac Neil #2 | 30 October 2022 | Toronto | |||
| 16 | 54.84 | Dahlia #2 | 6 October 2018 | Budapest | |||
| 7 | 17 | 54.87 | Louise Hansson | 18 December 2022 | Melbourne | ||
| 18 | 54.89 | Dahlia #3 | 20 November 2021 | Eindhoven | |||
| 19 | 54.91 | Sjöström #2 | 30 September 2018 | Eindhoven | |||
| 8 | 20 | 54.93 | Alexandria Perkins | 12 October 2025 | Carmel | ||
| 21 | 54.96 | Sjöström #3 | 6 October 2018 | Budapest | |||
| 22 | 55.00 | Sjöström #4 | 17 December 2017 | Copenhagen | |||
| 22 | 55.00 | Dahlia #4 | 10 November 2018 | Genoa | |||
| 24 | 55.01 | Dahlia #5 | 16 December 2018 | Hangzhou | |||
| 25 | 55.02 | Hansson #2 | 30 October 2022 | Toronto | |||
| 9 | 55.05 | Diane Bui Duyet | 12 December 2009 | Istanbul | |||
| 10 | 55.10 | Jeanette Ottesen | 11 December 2015 | Indianapolis | |||
| 10 | 55.10 | Mizuki Hirai | 22 February 2025 | Sagamihara | |||
| 12 | 55.12 | Katinka Hosszú | 11 December 2016 | Windsor | |||
| 13 | 55.25 | Lu Ying | 7 December 2014 | Doha | |||
| 14 | 55.30 | Alicia Coutts | 9 November 2013 | Tokyo | |||
| 15 | 55.31 | Rikako Ikee | 11 November 2018 | Tokyo | |||
| 16 | 55.32 | Béryl Gastaldello | 15 November 2020 | Budapest | |||
| 17 | 55.39 | Emma McKeon | 26 October 2019 | Budapest | |||
| 17 | 55.39 | Claire Curzan | 21 December 2021 | Abu Dhabi | |||
| 17 | 55.39 | Laura Lahtinen | 4 December 2025 | Lublin | |||
| 20 | 55.43 | Felicity Galvez | 19 December 2010 | Dubai | |||
| 21 | 55.46 | Zhang Yufei | 29 October 2022 | Beijing | |||
| 22 | 55.50 | Angelina Köhler | 9 December 2023 | Otopeni | |||
| 22 | 55.50 | Ellen Walshe | 13 December 2024 | Budapest | |||
| 24 | 55.52 | Martine Damborg | 5 December 2025 | Lublin | |||
| 25 | 55.53 | Therese Alshammar | 6 November 2010 | Stockholm |