This is a history of the progression of the World Record for the Swimming event: the 200 Butterfly . It is a listing of the fastest-time-ever swum in the event, in both long course (50m) and short course (25m) swimming pool. These records are maintained/recognized by FINA, which oversees international competitive Aquatics.
The long course records are historically older than the short course records: the long course records go back to at least the 1950s, whereas the short course marks having only been recognized since the early 1990s.
# | Time | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2:19.0 | Mike Troy | ![]() | 11 July 1959 | - | Los Altos, United States | ||
2 | 2:16.4 | Mike Troy | ![]() | 11 July 1959 | - | Los Altos, United States | ||
3 | 2:15.0 | Mike Troy | ![]() | 10 July 1960 | - | Evansville, United States | ||
4 | 2:13.4 | Mike Troy | ![]() | 23 July 1960 | - | Toledo, United States | ||
5 | 2:13.2 | Mike Troy | ![]() | 4 August 1960 | US Olympic Trials | Detroit, United States | ||
6 | 2:12.8 | Mike Troy | ![]() | 2 September 1960 | Olympic Games | Rome, Italy | ||
7 | 2:12.6 | Carl Robie | ![]() | 19 August 1961 | Men’s NAAA Championships | Los Angeles, United States | ||
8 | 2:12.5 | Kevin Berry | ![]() | 20 February 1962 | - | Melbourne, Australia | ||
9 | 2:12.4 | h | Carl Robie | ![]() | 11 August 1962 | Men’s National Outdoor Championships | Cuyahoga Falls, United States | |
10 | 2:10.8 | Carl Robie | ![]() | 11 August 1962 | Men’s National Outdoor Championships | Cuyahoga Falls, United States | ||
11 | 2:09.7 | Kevin Berry | ![]() | 23 October 1962 | Australian British Empire & Commonwealth Games Trials | Melbourne, Australia | ||
12 | 2:08.4 | Kevin Berry | ![]() | 12 January 1963 | - | Sydney, Australia | ||
13 | 2:08.2 | Carl Robie | ![]() | 18 March 1963 | - | Tokyo, Japan | ||
14 | 2:06.9 | Kevin Berry | ![]() | 29 March 1964 | - | Sydney, Australia | ||
15 | 2:06.6 | Kevin Berry | ![]() | 18 October 1964 | Olympic Games | Tokyo, Japan | ||
16 | 2:06.4 | Mark Spitz | ![]() | 26 July 1967 | Pan American Games | Winnipeg, Canada | ||
17 | 2:06.0 | John Ferris | ![]() | 30 August 1967 | Summer Universiade | Tokyo, Japan | ||
18 | 2:05.7 | Mark Spitz | ![]() | 8 October 1967 | - | West Berlin, West Germany | ||
19 | 2:05.4 | Mark Spitz | ![]() | 22 August 1970 | AAU Nationals | Los Angeles, United States | ||
20 | 2:05.0 | Gary Hall Sr. | ![]() | 22 August 1970 | AAU Nationals | Los Angeles, United States | ||
21 | 2:03.9 | Mark Spitz | ![]() | 27 August 1971 | AAU Nationals | Houston, United States | ||
22 | 2:03.3 | Hans-Joachim Fassnacht | ![]() | 31 August 1971 | - | Landskrona, Sweden | ||
23 | 2:01.87 | h | Mark Spitz | ![]() | 2 August 1972 | US Olympic Trials | Chicago, United States | |
24 | 2:01.53 | Mark Spitz | ![]() | 2 August 1972 | US Olympic Trials | Chicago, United States | ||
25 | 2:00.70 | Mark Spitz | ![]() | 28 August 1972 | Olympic Games | Munich, West Germany | ||
26 | 2:00.21 | h | Roger Pyttel | ![]() | 3 June 1976 | East German Championships | East Berlin, East Germany | |
27 | 1:59.63 | Roger Pyttel | ![]() | 3 June 1976 | East German Championships | East Berlin, East Germany | ||
28 | 1:59.23 | Mike Bruner | ![]() | 18 July 1976 | Olympic Games | Montreal, Canada | ||
29 | 1:58.21 | Craig Beardsley | ![]() | 30 July 1980 | - | Irvine, United States | ||
30 | 1:58.01 | Craig Beardsley | ![]() | 22 August 1981 | - | Kyiv, Soviet Union | ||
31 | 1:57.05 | Michael Gross | ![]() | 26 August 1983 | European Championships | Rome, Italy | ||
32 | 1:57.04 | Jon Sieben | ![]() | 3 August 1984 | Olympic Games | Los Angeles, United States | ||
33 | 1:57.01 | Michael Gross | ![]() | 29 June 1985 | West German Championships | Wuppertal, West Germany | ||
34 | 1:56.65 | Michael Gross | ![]() | 10 August 1985 | European Championships | Sofia, Bulgaria | ||
35 | 1:56.24 | Michael Gross | ![]() | 28 June 1986 | West German Championships | Hanover, West Germany | ||
36 | 1:55.69 | Melvin Stewart | ![]() | 12 January 1991 | World Championships | Perth, Australia | ||
37 | 1:55.22 | Denis Pankratov | ![]() | 14 June 1995 | Mare Nostrum | Canet-en-Roussillon, France | ||
38 | 1:55.18 | Tom Malchow | ![]() | 17 June 2000 | Charlotte UltraSwim | Charlotte, United States | ||
39 | 1:54.92 | Michael Phelps | ![]() | 30 March 2001 | US National Championships | Austin, United States | ||
40 | 1:54.58 | Michael Phelps | ![]() | 24 July 2001 | World Championships | Fukuoka, Japan | ||
41 | 1:53.93 | sf | Michael Phelps | ![]() | 22 July 2003 | World Championships | Barcelona, Spain | |
42 | 1:53.80 | Michael Phelps | ![]() | 17 August 2006 | Pan Pacific Championships | Victoria, Canada | ||
43 | 1:53.71 | Michael Phelps | ![]() | 17 February 2007 | Missouri Grand Prix | Columbia, United States | ||
44 | 1:52.09 | Michael Phelps | ![]() | 28 March 2007 | World Championships | Melbourne, Australia | ||
45 | 1:52.03 | Michael Phelps | ![]() | 13 August 2008 | Olympic Games | Beijing, China | ||
46 | 1:51.51 | Michael Phelps | ![]() | 29 July 2009 | World Championships | Rome, Italy | ||
47 | 1:50.73 | Kristóf Milák | ![]() | 24 July 2019 | World Championships | Gwangju, South Korea | ||
48 | 1:50.34 | Kristóf Milák | ![]() | 21 June 2022 | World Championships | Budapest, Hungary | [1] [2] |
Time | Swimmer | Date | Place |
---|---|---|---|
1:54.67 | ![]() | February 1, 1992 | Paris, France |
1:54.58 | ![]() | February 6, 1993 | Paris, France |
1:54.50 | ![]() | February 9, 1993 | Malmö, Sweden |
1:54.21 | ![]() | February 13, 1993 | Gelsenkirchen, Germany |
1:53.05 | ![]() | March 26, 1994 | Paris, France |
1:52.64 | ![]() | February 2, 1997 | Gelsenkirchen, Germany |
1:51.76 | ![]() | March 28, 1998 | Paris, France |
1:51.58 | ![]() | January 14, 2001 | Antibes, France |
1:51.21 | ![]() | December 1, 2001 | Rostock, Germany |
1:50.73 | ![]() | December 8, 2002 | Antibes, France |
1:50.60 | ![]() | December 13, 2008 | Rijeka, Croatia |
1:50.53 | ![]() | February 15, 2009 | Saint Petersburg, Russia |
1:49.11 | ![]() | November 10, 2009 | Stockholm, Sweden |
1:49.04 | ![]() | August 7, 2013 | Eindhoven, Netherlands |
1:48.56 | ![]() | November 5, 2013 | Singapore, Singapore |
1:48.24 | ![]() | December 11, 2018 | Hangzhou, China |
1:46.85 | ![]() | October 22, 2022 | Tokyo, Japan |
# | Time | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2:40.5 | Nancy Ramey | ![]() | 29 June 1958 | - | Los Angeles, United States | ||
2 | 2:38.9 | Tineke Lagerberg | ![]() | 13 September 1958 | - | Naarden, Netherlands | ||
3 | 2:37.0 | Becky Collins | ![]() | 19 July 1959 | - | Redding, United States | ||
4 | 2:34.4 | Marianne Heemskerk | ![]() | 12 June 1960 | - | Leipzig, East Germany | ||
5 | 2:32.8 | Becky Collins | ![]() | 13 August 1961 | - | Philadelphia, United States | ||
6 | 2:31.2 | Sharon Finneran | ![]() | 19 August 1962 | - | Chicago, United States | ||
7 | 2:30.7 | Sharon Finneran | ![]() | 25 August 1962 | - | Los Altos, United States | ||
8 | 2:29.1 | Susan Pitt | ![]() | 27 July 1963 | - | Philadelphia, United States | ||
9 | 2:28.1 | Sharon Stouder | ![]() | 12 July 1964 | - | Los Angeles, United States | ||
10 | 2:26.4 | Sharon Stouder | ![]() | 2 August 1964 | - | Los Angeles, United States | ||
11 | 2:26.3 | Kendis Moore | ![]() | 15 August 1965 | - | Maumee, United States | ||
12 | 2:25.8 | Ada Kok | ![]() | 21 August 1965 | - | Leiden, Netherlands | ||
13 | 2:25.3 | Ada Kok | ![]() | 12 September 1965 | - | Groningen, Netherlands | ||
14 | 2:22.5 | Ada Kok | ![]() | 2 August 1967 | - | Groningen, Netherlands | ||
15 | 2:21.0 | Ada Kok | ![]() | 25 August 1967 | - | Blackpool, United Kingdom | ||
16 | 2:20.7 | Karen Moe | ![]() | 11 July 1970 | - | Santa Clara, United States | ||
17 | 2:19.3 | Alice Jones | ![]() | 22 August 1970 | AAU Nationals | Los Angeles, United States | ||
18 | 2:18.6 | Karen Moe | ![]() | 7 August 1971 | - | Santa Clara, United States | ||
19 | 2:18.4 | Ellie Daniel | ![]() | 28 August 1971 | AAU Nationals | Houston, United States | ||
20 | 2:16.62 | Karen Moe | ![]() | 6 August 1972 | US Olympic Trials | Chicago, United States | ||
21 | 2:15.57 | Karen Moe | ![]() | 4 September 1972 | Olympic Games | Munich, West Germany | ||
22 | 2:15.45 | h | Rosemarie Kother | ![]() | 8 September 1973 | World Championships | Belgrade, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia | |
23 | 2:13.76 | Rosemarie Kother | ![]() | 8 September 1973 | World Championships | Belgrade, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia | ||
24 | 2:13.60 | Rosemarie Gabriel | ![]() | 14 March 1976 | URS vs GDR Duel | Tallinn, Soviet Union | ||
25 | 2:12.84 | Rosemarie Gabriel | ![]() | 4 June 1976 | GDR Olympic Trials & National Championships | East Berlin, East Germany | ||
26 | 2:11.22 | Rosemarie Gabriel | ![]() | 5 June 1976 | GDR Olympic Trials & National Championships | East Berlin, East Germany | ||
27 | 2:11.20 | Andrea Pollack | ![]() | 9 April 1978 | - | Leningrad, Soviet Union | ||
28 | 2:09.87 | Andrea Pollack | ![]() | 4 July 1978 | GDR National Championships & World Championship Trials | East Germany, East Germany | ||
28 | 2:09.87 | = | Tracy Caulkins | ![]() | 26 July 1978 | World Championships | West Berlin, West Germany | |
29 | 2:09.77 | Mary T. Meagher | ![]() | 7 July 1979 | Pan American Games | San Juan, Puerto Rico | ||
30 | 2:08.41 | h | Mary T. Meagher | ![]() | 16 August 1979 | AAU Nationals | Fort Lauderdale, United States | |
31 | 2:07.01 | Mary T. Meagher | ![]() | 16 August 1979 | AAU Nationals | Fort Lauderdale, United States | ||
32 | 2:06.37 | Mary T. Meagher | ![]() | 30 July 1980 | - | Irvine, California, United States | ||
33 | 2:05.96 | Mary T. Meagher | ![]() | 13 August 1981 | - | Brown Deer, United States | ||
34 | 2:05.81 | Susie O'Neill | ![]() | 17 May 2000 | Australian Championships | Sydney, Australia | ||
35 | 2:05.78 | Otylia Jędrzejczak | ![]() | 4 August 2002 | European Championships | Berlin, Germany | ||
36 | 2:05.61 | Otylia Jędrzejczak | ![]() | 28 July 2005 | World Championships | Montreal, Canada | ||
37 | 2:05.40 | Jessicah Schipper | ![]() | 17 August 2006 | Pan Pacific Championships | Victoria, Canada | ||
38 | 2:04.18 | Liu Zige | ![]() | 18 August 2008 | Olympic Games | Beijing, China | ||
39 | 2:04.14 | h | Mary Descenza | ![]() | 29 July 2009 | World Championships | Rome, Italy | |
40 | 2:03.41 | Jessicah Schipper | ![]() | 30 July 2009 | World Championships | Rome, Italy | ||
41 | 2:01.81 | Liu Zige | ![]() | 21 October 2009 | Chinese National Games | Jinan, China | [3] [4] |
# | Time | Name | Nationality | Date | Meet | Location | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2:05.37 | Susie O'Neill | ![]() | 17 February 1999 | World Cup | Malmö, Sweden | ||
2 | 2:04.43 | Susie O'Neill | ![]() | 2 September 1999 | Australian Championships | Canberra, Australia | ||
3 | 2:04.16 | Susie O'Neill | ![]() | 18 January 2000 | World Cup | Sydney, Australia | ||
4 | 2:04.04 | Yang Yu | ![]() | 18 January 2004 | World Cup | Berlin, Germany | ||
5 | 2:03.53 | Otylia Jędrzejczak | ![]() | 13 December 2007 | European Championships | Debrecen, Hungary | ||
6 | 2:03.12 | Yuko Nakanishi | ![]() | 23 February 2008 | Japan Open | Tokyo, Japan | ||
7 | 2:02.50 | Liu Zige | ![]() | 11 November 2009 | World Cup | Stockholm, Sweden | ||
8 | 2:00.78 | Liu Zige | ![]() | 15 November 2009 | World Cup | Berlin, Germany | ||
9 | 1:59.61 | Mireia Belmonte | ![]() | 3 December 2014 | World Championships | Doha, Qatar | ||
10 | 1:59.32 | Summer McIntosh | ![]() | 12 December 2024 | World Championships | Budapest, Hungary |
Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1:50.34 | ![]() | 21 June 2022 | Budapest | [6] [7] |
2 | 1:51.21 | ![]() | 31 July 2024 | Paris | [8] |
3 | 1:51.51 | ![]() | 29 July 2009 | Rome | |
4 | 1:52.53 | ![]() | 18 January 2020 | Beijing | |
5 | 1:52.70 | ![]() | 13 August 2008 | Beijing | |
![]() | 3 December 2022 | Tokyo | [9] | ||
7 | 1:52.80 | ![]() | 31 July 2024 | Paris | [10] |
8 | 1:52.96 | ![]() | 31 July 2012 | London | |
9 | 1:52.97 | ![]() | 13 August 2008 | Beijing | |
10 | 1:53.23 | ![]() | 29 July 2009 | Rome | |
11 | 1:53.40 | ![]() | 9 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro | |
12 | 1:53.42 | ![]() | 27 March 2019 | Debrecen | |
13 | 1:53.62 | ![]() | 26 July 2023 | Fukuoka | [11] |
14 | 1:53.64 | ![]() | 8 July 2009 | Indianapolis | |
15 | 1:53.67 | ![]() | 7 July 2022 | Austin | |
16 | 1:53.79 | ![]() | 6 April 2018 | Tokyo | |
17 | 1:53.82 | ![]() | 26 July 2023 | Fukuoka | [12] |
18 | 1:53.84 | ![]() | 14 June 2019 | Clovis | |
19 | 1:53.86 | ![]() | 2 July 2008 | Omaha | |
20 | 1:53.92 | ![]() | 8 May 2009 | Rio de Janeiro | |
21 | 1:54.07 | ![]() | 21 March 2024 | Tokyo | [13] |
22 | 1:54.10 | ![]() | 5 August 2015 | Kazan | |
23 | 1:54.14 | ![]() | 30 July 2024 | Paris | [14] |
31 July 2024 | Paris | [15] | |||
24 | 1:54.15 | ![]() | 4 April 2009 | Christchurch | |
25 | 1:54.16 | ![]() | 6 May 2023 | Hangzhou | [16] |
Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:54.16:
Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1:46.85 | ![]() | 22 October 2022 | Tokyo | [18] [19] |
2 | 1:48.24 | ![]() | 11 December 2018 | Hangzhou | |
![]() | 12 December 2024 | Budapest | [20] | ||
4 | 1:48.27 | ![]() | 15 December 2022 | Melbourne | [21] |
5 | 1:48.64 | ![]() | 12 December 2024 | Budapest | [22] |
6 | 1:48.66 | ![]() | 22 November 2020 | Budapest | |
7 | 1:49.00 | ![]() | 6 December 2015 | Netanya | |
8 | 1:49.11 | ![]() | 10 November 2009 | Sweden | |
9 | 1:49.26 | ![]() | 12 December 2024 | Budapest | [23] |
10 | 1:49.42 | ![]() | 15 December 2022 | Melbourne | [24] |
11 | 1:49.46 | ![]() | 12 December 2009 | Istanbul | |
12 | 1:49.50 | ![]() | 12 November 2011 | Japan | |
13 | 1:49.61 | ![]() | 28 October 2022 | Beijing | [25] |
14 | 1:49.69 | ![]() | 29 October 2022 | Toronto | [26] |
15 | 1:49.86 | ![]() | 16 November 2022 | Kaposvár | [27] |
16 | 1:49.89 | ![]() | 16 November 2020 | Budapest | |
17 | 1:50.13 | ![]() | 12 December 2009 | Istanbul | |
18 | 1:50.23 | ![]() | 8 December 2019 | Glasgow | |
19 | 1:50.26 | ![]() | 15 December 2022 | Melbourne | [28] |
20 | 1:50.28 | ![]() | 11 February 2012 | Japan | |
21 | 1:50.32 | ![]() | 12 December 2009 | Istanbul | |
22 | 1:50.39 | ![]() | 11 December 2018 | Hangzhou | |
![]() | 12 December 2024 | Budapest | [29] | ||
![]() | 12 December 2024 | Budapest | [30] | ||
25 | 1:50.44 | ![]() | 20 November 2022 | Kazan |
Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:50.44:
Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2:01.81 | ![]() | 21 October 2009 | Jinan | [32] |
2 | 2:03.03 | ![]() | 1 August 2024 | Paris | [33] |
3 | 2:03.41 | ![]() | 30 July 2009 | Rome | |
4 | 2:03.84 | ![]() | 1 August 2024 | Paris | [34] |
5 | 2:03.86 | ![]() | 29 July 2021 | Tokyo | [35] |
6 | 2:04.06 | ![]() | 1 August 2012 | London | |
7 | 2:04.14 | ![]() | 29 July 2009 | Rome | |
8 | 2:04.27 | ![]() | 29 July 2009 | Rome | |
9 | 2:04.69 | ![]() | 5 April 2012 | Tokyo | |
10 | 2:04.78 | ![]() | 1 August 2013 | Barcelona | |
11 | 2:04.83 | ![]() | 16 March 2009 | Sheffield | |
12 | 2:04.88 | ![]() | 10 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro | |
13 | 2:05.09 | ![]() | 29 July 2009 | Rome | |
14 | 2:05.20 | ![]() | 18 April 2024 | Gold Coast | [36] |
15 | 2:05.26 | ![]() | 4 July 2015 | Essen | |
16 | 2:05.36 | ![]() | 14 June 2011 | Sheffield | |
17 | 2:05.38 | ![]() | 1 April 2012 | Shaoxing | |
18 | 2:05.45 | ![]() | 9 April 2018 | Gold Coast | |
19 | 2:05.61 | ![]() | 28 July 2005 | Montreal | |
20 | 2:05.62 | ![]() | 30 August 2020 | Tokyo | |
21 | 2:05.65 | ![]() | 29 July 2021 | Tokyo | [37] |
22 | 2:05.78 | ![]() | 1 August 2012 | London | |
23 | 2:05.81 | ![]() | 13 May 2000 | Sydney | |
24 | 2:05.88 | ![]() | 20 September 2000 | Sydney | |
25 | 2:05.90 | ![]() | 10 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro |
Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 2:05.90:
Pos | Time | Swimmer | Date | Venue | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1:59.32 | ![]() | 12 December 2024 | Budapest | [39] [40] |
2 | 1:59.61 | ![]() | 3 December 2014 | Doha | |
3 | 2:00.78 | ![]() | 15 November 2009 | Berlin | |
4 | 2:01.00 | ![]() | 12 December 2024 | Budapest | [41] |
5 | 2:01.12 | ![]() | 3 December 2014 | Doha | |
6 | 2:01.73 | ![]() | 12 December 2018 | Hangzhou | |
7 | 2:02.28 | ![]() | 12 December 2012 | Istanbul | |
8 | 2:02.52 | ![]() | 26 September 2024 | Wuhan | [42] |
9 | 2:02.79 | ![]() | 12 December 2024 | Budapest | [43] |
10 | 2:02.88 | ![]() | 22 August 2013 | Australia | |
11 | 2:02.91 | ![]() | 12 December 2024 | Budapest | [44] |
12 | 2:02.96 | ![]() | 14 January 2017 | Japan | |
13 | 2:03.01 | ![]() | 4 December 2015 | Netanya | |
![]() | 17 December 2021 | Abu Dhabi | [45] | ||
15 | 2:03.08 | ![]() | 28 November 2015 | Australia | |
16 | 2:03.12 | ![]() | 23 February 2008 | Japan | |
17 | 2:03.13 | ![]() | 18 October 2024 | Shanghai | [46] |
![]() | 24 October 2024 | Incheon | [47] | ||
19 | 2:03.19 | ![]() | 12 December 2012 | Istanbul | |
20 | 2:03.20 | ![]() | 6 August 2009 | Great Britain | |
21 | 2:03.22 | ![]() | 10 December 2009 | Istanbul | |
22 | 2:03.25 | ![]() | 28 November 2015 | Australia | |
23 | 2:03.27 | ![]() | 22 November 2009 | Singapore | |
24 | 2:03.30 | ![]() | 7 December 2023 | Otopeni | [48] |
25 | 2:03.35 | ![]() | 22 November 2020 | Budapest | |
![]() | 27 October 2022 | Beijing |
Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 2:03.35: