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 Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. Adult butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings, and conspicuous, fluttering flight. The group compris ...

. 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 curren ...

(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 H ...

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 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 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 butte ...

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

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 also swam 1:54.10 (2022), 1:54.35 (2019). * Kaio de Almeida also swam 1:54.27 (2009). * Noè Ponti also swam 1:54.29 (2022). * Léon Marchand 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: * Chad le Clos 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). * Kaio de Almeida also swam 1:49.11 (2009). * Tomoru Honda 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 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 also swam 2:04.28 (2009), 2:05.59 (2013). * Mary Descenza also swam 2:04.33 (2009), 2:04.41 (2009). *

Jiao Liuyang Jiao Liuyang (; born August 6, 1991 in Harbin, Heilongjiang) is a female Chinese swimmer, who specializes in the 200-metre butterfly. Career She competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics and finished second in the 200 m butterfly in a time of 2:04 ...

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

also swam 2:05.78 (2002). * Summer McIntosh 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 2 ...

also swam 2:05.85 (2021), 2:05.87 (2018), 2:05.90 (2022). * Kathleen Hersey 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). * Katinka Hosszú 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 Kelsi Worrell Dahlia ( Worrell; born July 15, 1994) is a former American competitive swimmer specializing in butterfly and freestyle events. At the 2018 World Championships, Dahlia won nine total medals of which seven were gold medals. She qual ...

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