Graphic data for World Record Progression in Men and Women Swimming 50m-100m-200m

This is a history of the progression of the World Record for the

Swimming Swimming is the self-propulsion of a person through water, or other liquid, usually for recreation, sport, exercise, or survival. Locomotion is achieved through coordinated movement of the limbs and the body to achieve hydrodynamic thrust that r ...

event: the 200

Butterfly Butterflies are insects in the macrolepidopteran clade Rhopalocera from the Order (biology), order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. Adult butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings, and conspicuous, fluttering flight. The ...

. It is a listing of the fastest-time-ever swum in the event, in both

long course An Olympic-size swimming pool conforms to regulated dimensions that are large enough for international competition. This type of swimming pool is used in the Olympic Games, where the race course is in length, typically referred to as "long cour ...

(50m) and

short course In swimming, the term short course (abbreviated SC) is used to identify a pool that is in length. The term is also often included in meet names when conducted in a short course pool. "Short course" is the second type of pool configuration current ...

(25m) swimming pool. These records are maintained/recognized by

FINA FINA (french: Fédération internationale de natation, en, International Swimming Federation, link=yes) (to be renamed as World Aquatics by ) is the international federation recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for administer ...

, 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.

Men

Long course

Short course

Women

Long course

Short course

All-time top 25

Men long course

*Correct as of December 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:54.35: *

Kristóf Milák Kristóf Milák (born 20 February 2000) is a Hungarian swimmer. He is the current holder of the world record in the long course 200 metre butterfly and the European record in the long course 100 metre butterfly. He also currently holds the ...

also swam 1:50.73 (2019), 1:51.10 (2021), 1:51.25 (2021), 1:51.40 (2021), 1:52.01 (2022), 1:52.22 (2021), 1:52.39 (2022), 1:52.50 (2021), 1:52.71 (2018), 1:52.79 (2018), 1:52.96 (2019), 1:53.18 (2021), 1:53.19 (2019), 1:53.58 (2021), 1:53.64 (2019), 1:53.79 (2017), 1:53.87 (2017), 1:53.88 (2022), 1:53.89 (2022), 1:53.94 (2018), 1:53.97 (2022), 1:54.10 (2022), 1:54.17 (2018), 1:54.19 (2019, 2019). *

Michael Phelps Michael Fred Phelps II (born June 30, 1985) is an American former competitive swimmer. He is the most successful and most decorated Olympian of all time with a total of 28 medals. Phelps also holds the all-time records for Olympic gold me ...

also swam 1:52.03 (2008), 1:52.09 (2007), 1:52.20 (2008), 1:52.76 (2009), 1:52.94 (2015) 1:53.01 (2012), 1:53.34 (2011), 1:53.36 (2016), 1:53.48 (2009), 1:53.65 (2012), 1:53.70 (2008, 2008), 1:53.71 (2007), 1:53.80 (2006), 1:53.93 (2003), 1:54.02 (2008), 1:54.04 (2004), 1:54.11 (2010), 1:54.12 (2016), 1:54.31 (2004), 1:54.32 (2006), 1:54.35 (2003, 2009). *

László Cseh László Cseh (; born 3 December 1985) is a retired Hungarian competitive swimmer and six-time Olympic medalist. He is a 33-time European Champion. His father, László Cseh Sr., also represented Hungary at the Olympics in swimming. In 2020 ...

also swam 1:52.91 (2016), 1:53.48 (2015), 1:53.53 (2015), 1:53.71 (2015), 1:53.72 (2017), 1:54.08 (2017), 1:54.22 (2017), 1:54.29 (2016), 1:54.35 (2008). *

Takeshi Matsuda is a retired Japanese Olympic, Asian and National Record holding swimmer. He swam for Japan at the 2004, 2008 Olympics, 2012 Olympics, and 2016 Olympics, winning four medals. At the 2008 Olympics, he won a bronze medal in the men's 200 m butterf ...

also swam 1:53.21 (2012), 1:53.32 (2009), 1:53.35 (2009), 1:54.01 (2011, 2012), 1:54.02 (2008, 2010), 1:54.12 (2011), 1:54.19 (2012), 1:54.25 (2012), 1:54.30 (2011). *

Chad le Clos Chad Guy Bertrand le Clos, OIS (born 12 April 1992) is a South African competitive swimmer who is an Olympic, World and Commonwealth Games champion. He is the African record, Commonwealth record, and South African record holder in the short ...

also swam 1:53.33 (2017), 1:53.68 (2015), 1:54.00 (2018), 1:54.06 (2016), 1:54.15 (2019), 1:54.18 (2015), 1:54.32 (2013). *

Tomoru Honda is a Japanese competitive swimmer. He is the world record holder in the short course 200 metre butterfly. He won a silver medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in the men's 200 metre butterfly event. Career 2018–2019 In August 2018, when Hond ...

also swam 1:53.53 (2022), 1:53.61 (2022), 1:53.73 (2021), 1:53.87 (2022), 1:54.01 (2022), 1:54.04 (2022), 1:54.06 (2022), 1:54.28 (2022). *

Tamás Kenderesi Tamás Kenderesi (; born 13 December 1996) is a Hungarian competitive swimmer who specializes in butterfly. He is an Olympics and European Championships bronze medalist, and Youth Olympics gold medalist swimmer. He was born in Bonyhad, but his ...

also swam 1:53.62 (2016), 1:53.96 (2016), 1:54.14 (2018), 1:54.33 (2017). *

Masato Sakai is a Japanese actor. He won the award for best actor at the 31st Yokohama Film Festival for ''The Wonderful World of Captain Kuhio'' and ''The Chef of South Polar'' and the award for best supporting actor at the 2008 Nikkan Sports Film Award, at ...

also swam 1:53.71 (2017), 1:54.21 (2016), 1:54.24 (2015), 1:54.30 (2016). *

Paweł Korzeniowski Paweł Korzeniowski (born 9 July 1985) is a Polish competitive swimmer who won the 200-meter butterfly at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships in Montreal. He also competes in the freestyle events. Initially trained by Paweł Woźnicki in Ośw ...

also swam 1:53.75 (2009), 1:54.30 (2009), 1:54.33 (2009). *

Daiya Seto is a Japanese professional swimmer who specializes in individual medley, butterfly, breaststroke, and freestyle events. He won the gold medal in the 400-metre individual medley at the 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2021 world short course champi ...

also swam 1:53.86 (2019), 1:54.03 (2017), 1:54.08 (2014), 1:54.14 (2016, 2016), 1:54.21 (2017), 1:54.28 (2017), 1:54.34 (2018). * Nao Horomura also swam 1:53.90 (2017). *

Luca Urlando Gianluca Urlando (born March 16, 2002) is an American competitive swimmer. He is a world junior record holder in the 4×200 meter freestyle relay and the 4×100 meter mixed freestyle relay. He is the American record holder in the 100 yard bac ...

also swam 1:54.10 (2022), 1:54.35 (2019). *

Kaio de Almeida Kaio Márcio de Almeida (born 19 October 1984) is a Brazilian swimmer who specializes in the butterfly. He is also known by the reduced versions of his name: ''Kaio Márcio'', ''Kaio Márcio de Almeida'', ''Kaio Almeida'', or ''Kaio de Almeida' ...

also swam 1:54.27 (2009). * Noè Ponti also swam 1:54.29 (2022). *

Léon Marchand Léon Marchand (born 17 May 2002) is a French swimmer. He is the European record holder in the long course 400 metre individual medley and the French record holder in the long course 200 metre individual medley, 200 metre butterfly and 200 met ...

also swam 1:54.32 (2022). *

Trenton Julian Trenton Jeffrey Julian (born December 9, 1998) is an American competitive swimmer. He is a world record holder in the short course 4×200 meter freestyle relay and 4×100 meter medley relay. He won a gold medal in the 4×200 meter freestyle re ...

also swam 1:54.34 (2022). * Moss Burmester also swam 1:54.35 (2008).

Men short course

*Correct as of December 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:50.62: *

also swam 1:48.56 (2013), 1:48.57 (2020), 1:48.61 (2014), 1:48.67 (2017), 1:48.76 (2016), 1:48.88 (2014), 1:49.04 (2013), 1:49.07 (2013), 1:49.08 (2017), 1:49.10 (2016), 1:49.20 (2014), 1:49.25 (2017), 1:49.33 (2016), 1:49.59 (2017), 1:49.71 (2016), 1:49.73 (2014, 2014), 1:49.78 (2022), 1:49.82 (2016), 1:49.83 (2013), 1:49.84 (2021), 1:49.89 (2022), 1:49.90 (2013), 1:49.93 (2016), 1:49.95 (2016), 1:49.98 (2022), 1:50.15 (2011), 1:50.24 (2020), 1:50.28 (2017, 2020), 1:50.29 (2016, 2018), 1:50.32 (2021), 1:50.33 (2013), 1:50.35 (2016), 1:50.39 (2013), 1:50.48 (2020), 1:50.57 (2020). *

also swam 1:48.77 (2019), 1:48.92 (2014), 1:49.22 (2022), 1:49.41 (2021), 1:49.53 (2016), 1:49.68 (2014), 1:49.76 (2021), 1:49.84 (2016), 1:49.87 (2018), 1:49.88 (2018), 1:49.93 (2016), 1:49.97 (2016), 1:49.99 (2022), 1:50.19 (2017), 1:50.28 (2021), 1:50.33 (2017), 1:50.36 (2021). *

Tom Shields ] Thomas Allen Shields (born July 11, 1991) is an American competitive Swimming (sport), swimmer. He is a two-time Olympian and the current American record-holder in the short course 50-meter butterfly and 200-meter butterfly. At the 2016 Summ ...

also swam 1:49.02 (2020), 1:49.05 (2015), 1:49.26 (2017), 1:49.29 (2017), 1:49.50 (2016), 1:49.62 (2017), 1:49.78 (2020), 1:49.86 (2017), 1:50.08 (2014), 1:50.19 (2014), 1:50.24 (2021), 1:50.25 (2019), 1:50.28 (2020), 1:50.39 (2021), 1:50.43 (2020), 1:50.51 (2021), 1:50.55 (2020), 1:50.56 (2014), 1:50.60 (2017), 1:50.61 (2013). *

also swam 1:49.11 (2009). *

also swam 1:49.24 (2022), 1:49.84 (2021). *

also swam 1:49.93 (2022), 1:50.01 (2021), 1:50.08 (2022), 1:50.32 (2021). *

also swam 1:49.98 (2019). *

Alberto Razzetti Alberto Razzetti (born 2 June 1999) is an Italian swimmer. He won the gold medal in the men's 200 metre butterfly event at both the 2021 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and the 2021 European Short ...

also swam 1:50.12 (2022), 1:50.24 (2021). * Kuan-Hung Wang also swam 1:50.14 (2020). *

also swam 1:50.43 (2013). * Teppei Morimoto also swam 1:50.44 (2021). * Nikolay Skvortsov also swam 1:50.53 (2009), 1:50.58 (2009), 1:50.60 (2008). * Hidemasa Sano also swam 1:50.58 (2011).

Women long course

*Correct as of June 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 2:05.95: * Liu Zige also swam 2:03.90 (2009), 2:04.18 (2008), 2:04.40 (2011), 2:04.59 (2013), 2:04.78 (2013), 2:05.29 (2009), 2:05.90 (2011). *

Katinka Hosszú Katinka Hosszú (; born 3 May 1989) is a Hungarian competitive swimmer specialized in individual medley events. She is a three-time Olympic champion and a nine-time long-course world champion. She is owner of a Budapest based swim school and swi ...

also swam 2:04.28 (2009), 2:05.59 (2013). * Mary Descenza also swam 2:04.33 (2009), 2:04.41 (2009). * Jiao Liuyang also swam 2:04.44 (2011), 2:04.50 (2009), 2:04.54 (2013), 2:04.72 (2008), 2:04.96 (2009), 2:05.18 (2012), 2:05.55 (2011), 2:05.79 (2010), 2:05.87 (2013). *

Mireia Belmonte ] Mireia Belmonte García (born 10 November 1990) is a Spanish Olympic, world, and European champion Swimming (sport), swimmer. She is the world record holder in the short course 200-metre butterfly and 400-metre individual medley. Formerl ...

also swam 2:04.79 (2014), 2:04.85 (2016), 2:05.25 (2012), 2:05.26 (2017), 2:05.86 (2015). * Jess Schipper also swam 2:04.87 (2009), 2:05.40 (2006), 2:05.50 (2009), 2:05.65 (2005), 2:05.93 (2009). * Zhang Yufei also swam 2:04.89 (2021), 2:05.44 (2021), 2:05.49 (2021), 2:05.70 (2020), 2:05.84 (2021). *

Natsumi Hoshi is a Japanese competitive swimmer who specializes in the 200-meter butterfly. In this event she won the world title in 2015 and bronze medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Hoshi studied sports science at Waseda University in Tokyo, and enjoys s ...

also swam 2:05.20 (2016), 2:05.48 (2012), 2:05.56 (2015), 2:05.91 (2011). * Franziska Hentke also swam 2:05.39 (2017), 2:05.77 (2016). *

Madeline Groves Madeline Groves (born 25 May 1995) is an Australian competitive swimmer. She was the Australian national champion in the 200 m butterfly event in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. At the 2014 Commonwealth Games she was a bronze medallist in the ...

also swam 2:05.41 (2015), 2:05.47 (2016), 2:05.66 (2016). *

Aurore Mongel Aurore Mongel (born 19 April 1982 in Épinal, France) is a national record holding and Olympic butterfly swimmer from France. She swam for France at the 2008 Olympics The 2008 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XXIX Olympiad ( ...

also swam 2:05.48 (2009). * Ellen Gandy also swam 2:05.59 (2011), 2:05.90 (2011), 2:05.95 (2012). *

Otylia Jędrzejczak Otylia Jędrzejczak (; born 13 December 1983) is a Polish swimmer. She was the Olympic champion from 2004 Athens in the 200 metre butterfly. She finished 4th in this event in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, and also swam at the 2000 Summ ...

also swam 2:05.78 (2002). *

Summer McIntosh Summer McIntosh (born August 18, 2006) is a Canadian competitive swimmer. A four-time World Aquatics champion and two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist, she is the current world record holder in the women's 400 metre individual medley. McI ...

also swam 2:05.79 (2022), 2:05.81 (2022). *

Hali Flickinger Hali Flickinger (born July 7, 1994) is an American professional swimmer who specializes in freestyle, butterfly, and individual medley events. She represents the Cali Condors of the International Swimming League. Flickinger qualified for the ...

also swam 2:05.85 (2021), 2:05.87 (2018), 2:05.90 (2022). *

Kathleen Hersey Kathleen Elizabeth Hersey (born February 21, 1990) is an American competition swimmer who represented the United States at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics and finished fourth in the 200-meter butterfly in 2012. Early years and education Hers ...

also swam 2:05.90 (2012).

Women short course

*Correct as of December 2022

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 2:03.60: *

also swam 2:01.52 (2013), 2:03.02 (2017), 2:03.17 (2014), 2:031.31 (2013), 2:03.37 (2011), 2:03.39 (2014), 2:03.59 (2010). *

also swam 2:01.60 (2018), 2:02.15 (2016), 2:02.20 (2012), 2:02.21 (2013), 2:02.40 (2013), 2:02.42 (2014), 2:02.75 (2017), 2:02.86 (2018), 2:02.87 (2018), 2:02.88 (2018), 2:02.99 (2014), 2:03.01 (2018), 2:03.05 (2013), 2:03.14 (2014, 2018), 2:03.21 (2019), 2:03.26 (2013), 2:03.34 (2016), 2:03.36 (2013). * Liu Zige, Zige Liu also swam 2:02.50 (2009). * Kelsi Dahlia also swam 2:02.89 (2016), 2:03.31 (2018), 2:03.33 (2018), 2:03.51 (2018). * Zhang Yufei also swam 2:03.09 (2018), 2:03.29 (2018), 2:03.33 (2018), 2:03.50 (2018). *

Suzuka Hasegawa is a Japanese swimmer. She competed in the women's 200 metre butterfly event at the 2016 Summer Olympics. In April 2017, Hasegawa broke the world junior record in the 200 butterfly with a 2:02.96 at Japanese Nationals. She qualified to represe ...

also swam 2:03.12 (2020), 2:03.38 (2020), 2:03.53 (2020). *

also swam 2:03.34 (2016). * Franziska Hentke also swam 2:03.43 (2017), 2:03.47 (2013).

References

World Records: Men - 200M Butterfly
– International Swimming Hall of Fame, archived July 16, 2010

– International Swimming Hall of Fame, archived July 16, 2010 {{World records in swimming Butterfly 200 metres

World record progression 200 metres butterfly 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 main ...