This is a history of the 100 m backstroke world record as swum in both long-course (50 m; Olympic) pools and short-course (25 m) pools—the two categories recognized/tracked by FINA .
Graphic data for World Record Progression in Men and Women Swimming 50m-100m-200m Long and Short Course Butterfly-Backstroke-Breaststroke-Freestyle
#
Time
Name
Nationality
Date
Meet
Location
Ref
1
1:02.2
David Theile
Australia
6 December 1956
Olympic Games
Melbourne , Australia
2
1:01.5
John Monckton
Australia
15 February 1958
Australian Championships
Perth , Australia
3
1:01.3
Bob Bennett
United States
19 August 1961
Men’s NAAA Championships
Los Angeles , United States
4
1:01.0
h
Tom Stock
United States
11 August 1962
-
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio , United States
5
1:00.9
Tom Stock
United States
12 August 1962
-
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio , United States
6
1:00.8
Ernst-Joachim Küppers
West Germany
28 August 1964
-
Dortmund , West Germany
7
1:00.0
Thompson Mann
United States
3 September 1964
-
New York City , United States
8
59.6
r
Thompson Mann
United States
16 October 1964
Olympic Games
Tokyo , Japan
9
59.5
h
Doug Russell
United States
28 August 1967
Summer Universiade
Tokyo , Japan
10
59.3
Charlie Hickcox
United States
28 August 1967
Summer Universiade
Tokyo , Japan
11
59.1
Charlie Hickcox
United States
31 August 1967
Summer Universiade
Tokyo , Japan
12
58.4
Roland Matthes
East Germany
21 September 1967
-
Leipzig , East Germany
13
58.0
Roland Matthes
East Germany
26 October 1968
Olympic Games
Mexico City , Mexico
14
57.8
Roland Matthes
East Germany
23 August 1969
-
Würzburg , West Germany
15
56.9
h
Roland Matthes
East Germany
8 September 1970
European Championships
Barcelona , Spain
16
56.7
Roland Matthes
East Germany
4 September 1971
-
Leipzig , East Germany
17
56.3
Roland Matthes
East Germany
8 April 1972
-
Moscow , Soviet Union
17
56.30
=, r
Roland Matthes
East Germany
4 September 1972
Olympic Games
Munich , West Germany
18
56.19
sf
John Naber
United States
18 July 1976
Olympic Games
Montreal , Canada
19
55.49
John Naber
United States
19 July 1976
Olympic Games
Montreal , Canada
20
55.44
h
Rick Carey
United States
6 August 1983
US National Championships
Clovis, California , United States
21
55.38
Rick Carey
United States
6 August 1983
US National Championships
Clovis, California , United States
22
55.19
Rick Carey
United States
21 August 1983
Pan American Games
Caracas , Venezuela
23
55.17
h
Igor Polyansky
Soviet Union
15 March 1988
-
Tallinn , Soviet Union
24
55.16
Igor Polyansky
Soviet Union
16 March 1988
-
Tallinn , Soviet Union
25
55.00
Igor Polyansky
Soviet Union
16 July 1988
USSR National Championships
Moscow , Soviet Union
26
54.95
h
David Berkoff
United States
12 August 1988
US Olympic Trials
Austin, Texas , United States
27
54.91
David Berkoff
United States
12 August 1988
US Olympic Trials
Austin, Texas , United States
28
54.51
h
David Berkoff
United States
16 September 1988
Olympic Games
Seoul , South Korea
29
53.93
r
Jeff Rouse
United States
25 August 1991
Pan Pacific Championships
Edmonton , Canada
30
53.86
r
Jeff Rouse
United States
31 July 1992
Olympic Games
Barcelona , Spain
31
53.60
Lenny Krayzelburg
United States
24 August 1999
Pan Pacific Championships
Sydney , Australia
32
53.45
r
Aaron Peirsol
United States
21 August 2004
Olympic Games
Athens , Greece
33
53.17
Aaron Peirsol
United States
2 April 2005
US Spring National Championships
Indianapolis , United States
34
52.98
Aaron Peirsol
United States
27 March 2007
World Championships
Melbourne , Australia
35
52.89
Aaron Peirsol
United States
1 July 2008
US Olympic Trials
Omaha, Nebraska , United States
36
52.54
Aaron Peirsol
United States
12 Aug 2008
Olympic Games
Beijing , China
37
52.38
r
Aschwin Wildeboer
Spain
1 July 2009
Mediterranean Games
Pescara , Italy
38
51.94
Aaron Peirsol
United States
8 July 2009
US National Championships
Indianapolis , United States
39
51.85
r
Ryan Murphy
United States
13 Aug 2016
Olympic Games
Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
[ 1]
40
51.60
Thomas Ceccon
Italy
20 June 2022
World Championships
Budapest , Hungary
[ 2]
#
Time
Name
Nationality
Date
Meet
Location
Ref
1
52.71
Mark Tewksbury
Canada
16 March 1991
World Cup
Bonn , Germany
2
52.58
Mark Tewksbury
Canada
29 March 1991
World Cup
Sheffield , United Kingdom
3
52.52
Mark Tewksbury
Canada
20 February 1992
-
Winnipeg , Canada
4
52.50
r
Mark Tewksbury
Canada
22 February 1992
-
Winnipeg , Canada
5
51.43
Jeff Rouse
United States
12 April 1993
World Cup
Sheffield , United Kingdom
6
51.28
Lenny Krayzelburg
United States
5 February 2000
World Cup
Berlin , Germany
7
50.75
Neil Walker
United States
19 March 2000
World Cup
Athens , Greece
8
50.58
Thomas Rupprath
Germany
8 December 2002
World Cup
Melbourne , Australia
9
50.32
Peter Marshall
United States
26 March 2004
-
New York City , United States
10
49.99
r
Ryan Lochte
United States
9 April 2006
World Championships
Shanghai , China
11
49.94
Peter Marshall
United States
11 November 2008
World Cup
Stockholm , Sweden
12
49.63
Peter Marshall
United States
15 November 2008
World Cup
Berlin , Germany
13
49.32
Stanislav Donets
Russia
14 December 2008
European Championships
Rijeka , Croatia
14
49.20
r
Aschwin Wildeboer
Spain
21 December 2008
Spanish Championships
Madrid , Spain
15
49.17
sf
Arkady Vyatchanin
Russia
12 December 2009
European Championships
Istanbul , Turkey
16
48.97
=
Arkady Vyatchanin
Russia
13 December 2009
European Championships
Istanbul , Turkey
16
48.97
=
Stanislav Donets
Russia
13 December 2009
European Championships
Istanbul , Turkey
17
48.94
r
Nick Thoman
United States
18 December 2009
Duel in the Pool
Manchester , United Kingdom
18
48.92
Matt Grevers
United States
12 December 2015
Duel in the Pool
Indianapolis , United States
[ 3]
19
48.90
Kliment Kolesnikov
Russia
22 December 2017
Vladimir Salnikov Cup
Saint Petersburg , Russia
[ 4]
20
48.88
Xu Jiayu
China
11 November 2018
World Cup
Tokyo , Japan
[ 5]
21
48.58
r
Kliment Kolesnikov
Russia
21 November 2020
International Swimming League
Budapest , Hungary
[ 6]
22
48.33
Coleman Stewart
United States
29 August 2021
International Swimming League
Naples , Italy
[ 7]
#
Time
Name
Nationality
Date
Meet
Location
Ref
1
1:07.7
Cathy Ferguson
United States
14 October 1964
Olympic Games
Tokyo , Japan
2
1:07.4
Ann Farlie
South Africa
23 July 1966
-
Béziers , France
3
1:07.3
h
Elaine Tanner
Canada
27 July 1967
Pan American Games
Winnipeg , Canada
4
1:07.1
Elaine Tanner
Canada
30 July 1967
Pan American Games
Winnipeg , Canada
5
1:06.7
Karen Muir
South Africa
30 January 1968
-
Kimberley , South Africa
6
1:06.4
Karen Muir
South Africa
6 April 1968
-
Paris , France
7
1:06.2
Kaye Hall
United States
22 October 1968
Olympic Games
Mexico City , Mexico
8
1:05.6
Karen Muir
South Africa
6 July 1969
-
Utrecht , Netherlands
9
1:05.39
Ulrike Richter
East Germany
18 August 1973
-
Utrecht , Netherlands
10
1:04.99
r
Ulrike Richter
East Germany
4 September 1973
World Championships
Belgrade , Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
11
1:04.78
r
Wendy Cook
Canada
31 January 1974
Commonwealth Games
Christchurch , New Zealand
12
1:04.43
Ulrike Richter
East Germany
8 July 1974
-
Rostock , East Germany
13
1:04.09
h
Ulrike Richter
East Germany
22 August 1974
European Championships
Vienna , Austria
14
1:03.30
Ulrike Richter
East Germany
23 August 1974
European Championships
Vienna , Austria
15
1:02.98
Ulrike Richter
East Germany
1 September 1974
USA Vs. GDR Dual Meet
Concord , United States
16
1:02.60
Ulrike Richter
East Germany
14 March 1976
-
Tallinn , Soviet Union
17
1:01.62
Kornelia Ender
East Germany
3 June 1976
-
East Berlin , East Germany
18
1:01.51
r
Ulrike Richter
East Germany
5 June 1976
-
East Berlin , East Germany
18
1:01.51
r, =
Rica Reinisch
East Germany
20 July 1980
Olympic Games
Moscow , Soviet Union
19
1:01.50
h
Rica Reinisch
East Germany
22 July 1980
Olympic Games
Moscow , Soviet Union
20
1:00.86
Rica Reinisch
East Germany
23 July 1980
Olympic Games
Moscow , Soviet Union
21
1:00.59
r
Ina Kleber
East Germany
24 August 1984
Friendship Games
Moscow , Soviet Union
22
1:00.31
Krisztina Egerszegi
Hungary
24 August 1991
European Championships
Athens , Greece
23
1:00.16
r
He Cihong
China
10 September 1994
World Championships
Rome , Italy
24
59.58
Natalie Coughlin
United States
13 August 2002
US National Championships
Fort Lauderdale , United States
25
59.44
Natalie Coughlin
United States
27 March 2007
World Championships
Melbourne , Australia
26
59.21
Natalie Coughlin
United States
17 February 2008
US Grand Prix
Columbia , United States
27
59.15
h
Hayley McGregory
United States
30 June 2008
US Olympic Trials
Omaha , United States
28
59.03
h
Natalie Coughlin
United States
30 June 2008
US Olympic Trials
Omaha , United States
29
58.97
Natalie Coughlin
United States
1 July 2008
US Olympic Trials
Omaha , United States
30
58.77
sf
Kirsty Coventry
Zimbabwe
11 August 2008
Olympic Games
Beijing , China
31
58.48
sf
Anastasia Zuyeva
Russia
27 July 2009
World Championships
Rome , Italy
32
58.12
Gemma Spofforth
Great Britain
28 July 2009
World Championships
Rome , Italy
[ 8]
33
58.10
Kylie Masse
Canada
25 July 2017
World Championships
Budapest , Hungary
[ 9]
34
58.00
Kathleen Baker
United States
28 July 2018
US National Championships
Irvine , United States
[ 10]
35
57.57
r
Regan Smith
United States
28 July 2019
World Championships
Gwangju , South Korea
36
57.45
Kaylee McKeown
Australia
13 June 2021
Australian Trials
Adelaide , Australia
[ 11]
37
57.33
Kaylee McKeown
Australia
21 October 2023
World Cup
Budapest , Hungary
[ 12]
38
57.13
Regan Smith
United States
18 June 2024
US Olympic Trials
Indianapolis , United States
[ 13] [ 14]
#
Time
Name
Nationality
Date
Meet
Location
Ref
1
59.41
Angel Martino
United States
21 November 1993
-
Stavanger , Norway
2
58.50
Angel Martino
United States
3 December 1993
World Championships
Palma de Mallorca , Spain
3
58.45
Reiko Nakamura
Japan
4 March 2001
-
Sagamihara , Japan
4
57.08
Natalie Coughlin
United States
29 November 2001
World Cup
East Meadow , United States
5
56.71
Natalie Coughlin
United States
23 November 2002
World Cup
East Meadow , United States
6
56.51
Natalie Coughlin
United States
28 October 2007
World Cup
Singapore
7
56.15
Shiho Sakai
Japan
22 February 2009
Japan Open
Tokyo , Japan
8
55.23
Shiho Sakai
Japan
15 November 2009
World Cup
Berlin , Germany
9
55.03
Katinka Hosszú
Hungary
4 December 2014
World Championships
Doha , Qatar
10
54.89
Minna Atherton
Australia
27 October 2019
International Swimming League
Budapest , Hungary
11
54.56
Kaylee McKeown
Australia
26 September 2024
Australian Championships
Adelaide , Australia
12
54.41
Regan Smith
United States
25 October 2024
World Cup
Incheon , South Korea
[ 15]
Correct as of November 2024[ 16]
Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 52.70:
Thomas Ceccon also swam 51.93 (2022), 52.00 (2024), 52.12 (2022), 52.16 (2023), 52.21 (2022), 52.27 (2023, 2023), 52.30 (2021), 52.43 (2024), 52.49 (2021), 52.52 (2021), 52.58 (2023, 2024).
Ryan Murphy also swam 51.94 (2018), 51.97 (2016, 2022), 52.04 (2023), 52.19 (2018, 2021), 52.22 (2021, 2023, 2024), 52.24 (2021), 52.26 (2016), 52.28 (2016), 52.31 (2021), 52.33 (2021), 52.39 (2023, 2024), 52.44 (2019, 2024), 52.46 (2022), 52.49 (2016), 52.51 (2018, 2022), 52.56 (2023), 52.57 (2016), 52.59 (2017), 52.65 (2024), 52.69 (2017), 52.70 (2018).
Kliment Kolesnikov also swam 52.00 (2021), 52.13 (2021), 52.15 (2021), 52.24 (2021), 52.29 (2021), 52.32 (2021), 52.42 (2021), 52.44 (2021), 52.53 (2018), 52.54 (2023), 52.63 (2021).
Xu Jiayu also swam 52.02 (2024), 52.05 (2023), 52.17 (2019), 52.23 (2023), 52.26 (2023), 52.27 (2019), 52.31 (2016), 52.32 (2024), 52.34 (2014, 2018), 52.37 (2020, 2024), 52.42 (2023), 52.43 (2019), 52.44 (2017, 2017), 52.47 (2023), 52.51 (2021), 52.60 (2017, 2018, 2020), 52.64 (2023), 52.70 (2021).
Evgeny Rylov also swam 52.12 (2021), 52.44 (2019), 52.57 (2019), 52.66 (2018), 52.67 (2018, 2019).
Matt Grevers also swam 52.16 (2012), 52.26 (2017), 52.48 (2017), 52.54 (2015), 52.55 (2015), 52.58 (2012), 52.64 (2016), 52.66 (2012, 2015).
Aaron Peirsol also swam 52.19 (2009), 52.54 (2008).
Hunter Armstrong also swam 52.20 (2022), 52.33 (2023), 52.37 (2022), 52.45 (2023), 52.48 (2021), 52.58 (2023), 52.59 (2023), 52.67 (2021), 52.68 (2023, 2024).
Apostolos Christou also swam 52.23 (2024), 52.24 (2022), 52.41 (2024), 52.57 (2022).
Mitch Larkin also swam 52.26 (2015), 52.37 (2015), 52.38 (2015, 2019), 52.40 (2015), 52.41 (2015), 52.43 (2016), 52.48 (2015, 2016), 52.50 (2015), 52.54 (2016), 52.70 (2016).
David Plummer also swam 52.28 (2016), 52.40 (2016, 2016), 52.50 (2016), 52.51 (2015), 52.70 (2016).
Ryosuke Irie also swam 52.34 (2014), 52.45 (2014), 52.50 (2009, 2009), 52.53 (2018, 2018), 52.56 (2009), 52.57 (2014), 52.59 (2020), 52.60 (2009), 52.61 (2018), 52.62 (2009), 52.69 (2014).
Miron Lifincev also swam 52.34 (2024), 52.62 (2024).
Junya Koga also swam 52.39 (2009).
Camille Lacourt also swam 52.44 (2011), 52.46 (2010), 52.48 (2015), 52.58 (2010), 52.70 (2015, 2016).
Helge Meeuw also swam 52.46 (2009), 52.49 (2009), 52.54 (2009).
Yohann Ndoye Brouard also swam 52.60 (2024), 52.63 (2024).
Pieter Coetze also swam 52.63 (2024).
Aschwin Wildeboer also swam 52.64 (2009), 52.70 (2009).
Correct as of October 2024[ 27]
Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 49.62:
Kliment Kolesnikov also swam 48.82 (2020), 48.90 (2017), 49.12 (2023), 49.13 (2021), 49.22 (2023), 49.46 (2021), 49.47 (2021), 49.57 (2021).
Evgeny Rylov also swam 48.94 (2021), 48.98 (2021), 49.58 (2021).
Coleman Stewart also swam 49.13 (2021), 49.62 (2021).
Ryan Murphy also swam 49.23 (2018), 49.29 (2020), 49.36 (2020), 49.49 (2021), 49.51 (2021), 49.61 (2021).
Shaine Casas also swam 49.23 (2021), 49.40 (2022), 49.54 (2022), 49.57 (2021).
Guilherme Guido also swam 49.29 (2021), 49.39 (2021), 49.40 (2020), 49.45 (2021), 49.59 (2020).
Lorenzo Mora also swam 49.37 (2022).
Mark Nikolaev also swam 49.40 (2021), 49.43 (2021).
Isaac Cooper also swam 49.52 (2022).
Robert Glință also swam 49.60 (2021).
Pieter Coetze also swam 49.60 (2022).
Correct as of July 2024[ 40]
Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 58.75:
Regan Smith also swam 57.28 (2024), 57.47 (2024), 57.51 (2024), 57.57 (2019), 57.64 (2021, 2024), 57.65 (2022), 57.66 (2024), 57.68 (2023), 57.71 (2023), 57.74 (2024), 57.76 (2022), 57.78 (2023), 57.83 (2023), 57.86 (2021), 57.90 (2023), 57.92 (2021, 2023), 57.93 (2024), 57.95 (2022), 57.96 (2021), 57.97 (2024), 58.04 (2023), 58.05 (2021, 2021), 58.16 (2023), 58.18 (2020), 58.22 (2022), 58.26 (2020), 58.29 (2022), 58.31 (2022), 58.33 (2023), 58.35 (2021, 2021), 58.40 (2022), 58.45 (2019, 2024), 58.47 (2023, 2023), 58.54 (2023), 58.55 (2019), 58.63 (2023), 58.65 (2022), 58.68 (2019), 58.69 (2021), 58.75 (2024).
Kaylee McKeown also swam 57.41 (2024), 57.45 (2021), 57.47 (2021), 57.50 (2023), 57.53 (2023), 57.57 (2024), 57.63 (2021, 2023), 57.72 (2024), 57.79 (2023), 57.84 (2023), 57.88 (2021), 57.90 (2023), 57.91 (2023), 57.93 (2020, 2023), 57.95 (2023), 57.99 (2024), 58.01 (2021), 58.11 (2020, 2021), 58.14 (2021), 58.19 (2024), 58.31 (2022), 58.33 (2023), 58.35 (2022), 58.42 (2021), 58.48 (2023, 2024), 58.49 (2022), 58.52 (2020), 58.57 (2021), 58.60 (2021, 2022), 58.66 (2022), 58.69 (2021), 58.73 (2022).
Kylie Masse also swam 57.72 (2021), 57.90 (2021), 57.94 (2024), 58.09 (2021), 58.10 (2017), 58.13 (2021), 58.16 (2019), 58.17 (2021), 58.18 (2017), 58.19 (2019), 58.21 (2017), 58.27 (2024), 58.29 (2018, 2024, 2024), 58.31 (2017), 58.39 (2022), 58.40 (2022), 58.41 (2022), 58.42 (2017), 58.48 (2021, 2022), 58.50 (2019), 58.54 (2018), 58.57 (2022, 2022), 58.60 (2019), 58.61 (2018), 58.62 (2017), 58.63 (2018, 2018), 58.66 (2016, 2018), 58.70 (2018), 58.73 (2022), 58.74 (2023).
Katharine Berkoff also swam 57.91 (2024), 57.98 (2024), 57.99 (2024), 58.01 (2023), 58.09 (2024), 58.25 (2023), 58.27 (2024), 58.39 (2023), 58.56 (2023), 58.60 (2023), 58.61 (2022, 2023), 58.62 (2021).
Mollie O'Callaghan also swam 58.09 (2024), 58.42 (2023, 2023), 58.73 (2024).
Kathleen Dawson also swam 58.24 (2021), 58.44 (2021), 58.49 (2021), 58.56 (2021), 58.65 (2021), 58.69 (2021), 58.70 (2021).
Emily Seebohm also swam 58.26 (2015), 58.34 (2015), 58.37 (2015), 58.39 (2012), 58.45 (2021), 58.51 (2015), 58.53 (2017), 58.56 (2015), 58.57 (2012), 58.59 (2015, 2017, 2021, 2021), 58.62 (2017), 58.66 (2018), 58.68 (2012), 58.70 (2015), 58.72 (2015, 2018), 58.73 (2016).
Claire Curzan also swam 58.35 (2023), 58.39 (2022), 58.59 (2023), 58.67 (2022), 58.73 (2022, 2024).
Missy Franklin also swam 58.39 (2013), 58.42 (2013), 58.50 (2012), 58.67 (2013).
Kathleen Baker also swam 58.41 (2018), 58.54 (2017), 58.56 (2020), 58.57 (2017), 58.58 (2017), 58.75 (2016).
Rhyan White also swam 58.46 (2021), 58.59 (2022), 58.60 (2021).
Anastasia Fesikova also swam 58.48 (2009).
Olivia Smoliga also swam 58.50 (2021), 58.72 (2021), 58.73 (2019), 58.75 (2018).
Iona Anderson also swam 58.53 (2024), 58.63 (2024), 58.67 (2024).
Kira Toussaint also swam 58.73 (2021), 58.74 (2021).
Gemma Spofforth also swam 58.74 (2009).
Mie Nielsen also swam 58.75 (2016).
Correct as of November 2024[ 51]
Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 55.89:
Regan Smith also swam 54.41 (2024), 54.89 (2024).
Minna Atherton also swam 55.09 (2019), 55.12 (2019), 55.29 (2019), 55.35 (2019), 55.43 (2019), 55.45 (2019), 55.55 (2019).
Kira Toussaint also swam 55.26 (2019), 55.42 (2021), 55.53 (2021), 55.58 (2019), 55.68 (2020), 55.71 (2019), 55.72 (2021), 55.74 (2019), 55.76 (2021), 55.79 (2021), 55.88 (2023).
Katinka Hosszú also swam 55.34 (2014), 55.38 (2014), 55.42 (2015), 55.52 (2017), 55.54 (2016), 55.56 (2014), 55.59 (2016), 55.60 (2016), 55.65 (2017), 55.66 (2017), 55.70 (2014), 55.71 (2015), 55.77 (2014), 55.80 (2016).
Emily Seebohm also swam 55.46 (2015), 55.47 (2014), 55.81 (2018).
Olivia Smoliga also swam 55.47 (2018), 55.60 (2020), 55.62 (2020), 55.66 (2020), 55.86 (2018).
Kaylee McKeown also swam 55.49 (2022), 55.68 (2020), 55.74 (2022), 55.81 (2022).
Ingrid Wilm also swam 55.68 (2021), 55.74 (2022).
Gao Chang also swam 55.72 (2009).
Beata Nelson also swam 55.74 (2022).
Kylie Masse also swam 55.76 (2021), 55.83 (2021).
Mollie O'Callaghan also swam 55.80 (2022), 55.81 (2022).
Louise Hansson also swam 55.85 (2021), 55.89 (2022).