View source for World record progression 50 metres freestyle

{{short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{main|List of world records in swimming}}

The first '''world record in the men's 50 metres [[freestyle swimming|freestyle]]''' in long course (50 metres) [[swimming (sport)|swimming]] was recognized by the [[International Swimming Federation]] (FINA) in [[1976 in sports|1976]]. In short course (25 metres) swimming events the world's governing body recognizes world records since March 3, 1991.

The drop in world record times in 2008-2009 coincided with the introduction of polyurethane suits from Speedo ([[LZR Racer|LZR]], 50% [[polyurethane]]) in 2008 and by Arena ([[X-Glide]]), Adidas (Hydrofoil) and Italian swimming suit manufacturer Jaked (all 100% polyurethane) in 2009.  FINA's ban on non-textile suit came into effect in January 2010.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hi-tech suits banned from January|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/swimming/8161867.stm|newspaper=BBC News/BBC Sport|date=2009-07-31 <!-- 16:27:41 GMT -->|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801110745/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/swimming/8161867.stm|archive-date=1 August 2012|access-date=11 August 2012|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> FINA also released a [http://www.swimmingnz.org.nz/uploads/files/fina_approved_suits_Nov2010.pdf list of approved suits].

[[File:Graphic data for World Record Progression in Men and Women Swimming 50m-100m-200m.png|thumb|Graphic data for World Record Progression in Men and Women Swimming 50m-100m-200m Long and Short Course Butterfly-Backstroke-Breaststroke-Freestyle]]

==Men==

===Long course===
{{swimmingrecordlisttop|number=yes|nationality=yes|meet=yes}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 1
|time = 23.86
|recordinfo = †
|firstname = Jonty
|lastname = Skinner
|namearticle = 
|nation = RSA
|nationvariant = 1928
|date = {{Dts|1976|Aug|14}}
|meet = AAU Nationals
|city = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 2
|time = 23.74
|firstname = Joe
|lastname = Bottom
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1977|Jul|3}}
|meet = Canada Cup
|city = Etobicoke
|country = CAN
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 3
|time = 23.72
|firstname = Ron
|lastname = Manganiello
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1978|Jul|29}}
|meet = -
|city = Miami, Florida
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 4
|time = 23.70
|firstname = Klaus
|lastname = Steinbach
|namearticle = 
|nation = FRG
|date = {{Dts|1979|Jul|23}}
|meet = -
|city = Freiburg
|country = FRG
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 5
|time = 23.66
|firstname = Chris
|lastname = Cavanaugh
|namearticle = Chris Cavanaugh (swimmer)
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1980|Feb|2}}
|meet = International Invitational
|city = Amersfoort
|country = NED
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 6
|time = 23.12
|recordinfo = h
|firstname = Chris
|lastname = Cavanaugh
|namearticle = Chris Cavanaugh (swimmer)
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1980|Apr|10}}
|meet = USA Spring Nationals
|city = Austin, Texas
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 7
|time = 22.96
|recordinfo = h
|firstname = Rowdy
|lastname = Gaines
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1980|Apr|10}}
|meet = USA Spring Nationals
|city = Austin, Texas
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 8
|time = 22.83
|recordinfo = h
|firstname = Bruce
|lastname = Stahl
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1980|Apr|10}}
|meet = USA Spring Nationals
|city = Austin, Texas
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 8
|time = 22.83
|recordinfo = =, h
|firstname = Joe
|lastname = Bottom
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1980|Aug|15}}
|meet = Hawaiian Invitational
|city = Honolulu, HI
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 9
|time = 22.71
|firstname = Joe
|lastname = Bottom
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1980|Aug|15}}
|meet = Hawaiian Invitational
|city = Honolulu, HI
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 10
|time = 22.54
|recordinfo = h
|firstname = Robin
|lastname = Leamy
|namearticle = Robin Leamy (swimmer)
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1981|Aug|15}}
|meet = USA Nationals
|city = Brown Deer, Wisconsin
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 11
|time = 22.52
|firstname = Dano
|lastname = Halsall
|namearticle = 
|nation = SUI
|date = {{Dts|1985|Jul|21}}
|meet = SUI Nationals
|city = Bellinzona
|country = SUI
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 12
|time = 22.40
|firstname = Tom
|lastname = Jager
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1985|Dec|6}}
|meet = USS Invitational
|city = Austin, Texas
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 13
|time = 22.33
|firstname = Matt
|lastname = Biondi
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1986|Jun|26}}
|meet = USA World Championship Trials
|city = Orlando, Florida
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 13
|time = 22.33
|recordinfo = =
|firstname = Matt
|lastname = Biondi
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1987|Jul|30}}
|meet = USA Nationals & Pan Pacific Trials
|city = Clovis, California
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 14
|time = 22.32
|firstname = Tom
|lastname = Jager
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1987|Aug|13}}
|meet = Pan Pacific Championships
|city = Brisbane
|country = AUS
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 15
|time = 22.23
|firstname = Tom
|lastname = Jager
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1988|Mar|25}}
|meet = USA Spring Nationals
|city = Orlando, Florida
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = -
|time = 22.18
|recordinfo = <ref>Peter Williams' 1988 time was officially recognised, but not as a world record, because South Africa was banned from international competition at the time. [http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/results/default_original.asp Performance on all time performance list]</ref>
|firstname = Peter
|lastname = Williams
|namearticle = Peter Williams (swimmer)
|nation = RSA
|nationvariant = 1928
|date = {{Dts|1988|Apr|10}}
|meet = CSCA Invitational
|city = Indianapolis, Indiana
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 16
|time = 22.14
|firstname = Matt
|lastname = Biondi
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1988|Sep|24}}
|meet = [[Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics – Men's 50 metre freestyle|Olympic Games]]
|city = Seoul
|country = KOR
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 17
|time = 22.12
|firstname = Tom
|lastname = Jager
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1989|Aug|20}}
|meet = Pan Pacific Championships
|city = Tokyo
|country = JPN
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 18
|time = 21.98
|recordinfo = sf
|firstname = Tom
|lastname = Jager
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1990|Mar|24}}
|meet = US Sprint
|city = Nashville, Tennessee
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 19
|time = 21.81
|firstname = Tom
|lastname = Jager
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1990|Mar|24}}
|meet = US Sprint
|city = Nashville, Tennessee
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 20
|time = 21.64
|recordinfo = tt
|firstname = Alexander
|lastname = Popov
|namearticle = Alexander Popov (swimmer)
|nation = RUS
|date = {{Dts|2000|Jun|16}}
|meet = Russian Olympic Trials
|city = Moscow
|country = RUS
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 21
|time = 21.56
|firstname = Eamon
|lastname = Sullivan
|namearticle = 
|nation = AUS
|date = {{Dts|2008|Feb|17}}
|meet = New South Wales State Championships
|city = Sydney
|country = AUS
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 22
|time = 21.50
|recordinfo = sf
|firstname = Alain
|lastname = Bernard
|namearticle = 
|nation = FRA
|date = {{Dts|2008|Mar|23}}
|meet = [[2008 European Aquatics Championships|European Championships]]
|city = Eindhoven
|country = NED
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 23
|time = 21.41
|recordinfo = sf
|firstname = Eamon
|lastname = Sullivan
|namearticle = 
|nation = AUS
|date = {{Dts|2008|Mar|27}}
|meet = Australian Championships & Olympic Trials
|city = Sydney
|country = AUS
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 24
|time = 21.28
|firstname = Eamon
|lastname = Sullivan
|namearticle = 
|nation = AUS
|date = {{Dts|2008|Mar|28}}
|meet = Australian Championships & Olympic Trials
|city = Sydney
|country = AUS
|ref = <ref name=2008Australian>{{cite news |title=Sullivan snaps 50m record again |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/28/2202317.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080330100434/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/28/2202317.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 30, 2008 |publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |date=2008-02-28 |access-date=2008-03-31}}</ref>
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 25
|time = 20.94
|recordinfo =
|firstname = Frédérick
|lastname = Bousquet
|namearticle = 
|nation = FRA
|date = {{Dts|2009|Apr|26}}
|meet = French Championships
|city = Montpellier
|country = FRA
|ref = <ref name=2009French>{{cite news|title=French Long Course Championships: Flash! Fred Bousquet Becomes First Human Under 21 Seconds in 50 Free|url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/french-long-course-championships-flash-fred-bousquet-becomes-first-human-under-21-seconds-in-50-free/|access-date=19 April 2025|website=Swimming World}}</ref>
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 26
|time = 20.91
|recordinfo =
|firstname = César
|lastname = Cielo
|namearticle = 
|nation = BRA
|date = {{Dts|2009|Dec|18}}
|meet = CBDA Open – Brazilian Championships
|city = São Paulo
|country = BRA
|ref = <ref name=2009Brazil>{{cite news|title=Brazil Long Course Championships: Flash! Cesar Cielo Sets World Record|url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/brazil-long-course-championships-flash-cesar-cielo-sets-world-record/|access-date=19 April 2025|website=Swimming World}}</ref>
}}
{{end}}
{{swimmingrecordlegend|ratifier=FINA}}

===Short course===
{{swimmingrecordlisttop|number=yes|nationality=yes|meet=yes}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 1
|time = 21.76
|firstname = Nils
|lastname = Rudolph
|namearticle = Nils Rudolph
|nation = DDR
|date = 10 February 1990
|meet = FINA World Cup
|city = Bonn
|country = FRG
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 2
|time = 21.64
|firstname = Steve
|lastname = Crocker
|namearticle = Steve Crocker (swimmer)
|nation = USA
|date = 21 March 1992
|meet = -
|city = Dallas, Texas
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 3
|time = 21.60
|firstname = Mark
|lastname = Foster
|namearticle = Mark Foster (swimmer)
|nation = GBR
|date = 17 February 1993
|meet = World Cup
|city = Sheffield
|country = UK
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 4
|time = 21.50
|firstname = Alexander
|lastname = Popov
|namearticle = Alexander Popov (swimmer)
|nation = RUS
|date = 13 March 1994
|meet = World Cup
|city = Desenzano del Garda
|country = ITA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 5
|time = 21.48
|recordinfo = h
|firstname = Mark
|lastname = Foster
|namearticle = Mark Foster (swimmer)
|nation = GBR
|date = 13 December 1998
|meet = [[1998 European Short Course Swimming Championships – Men's 50 metre freestyle|European Championships]]
|city = Sheffield
|country = UK
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 6
|time = 21.31
|firstname = Mark
|lastname = Foster
|namearticle = Mark Foster (swimmer)
|nation = GBR
|date = 13 December 1998
|meet = [[1998 European Short Course Swimming Championships – Men's 50 metre freestyle|European Championships]]
|city = Sheffield
|country = UK
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 6
|time = 21.31
|recordinfo = h
|firstname = Roland
|lastname = Schoeman
|namearticle = 
|nation = RSA
|date = 23 March 2000
|meet = NCAA Men's Division 1 Championships
|city = Minneapolis, Minnesota
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 7
|time = 21.21
|firstname = Anthony
|lastname = Ervin
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = 23 March 2000
|meet = NCAA Men's Division 1 Championships
|city = Minneapolis, Minnesota
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 8
|time = 21.13
|firstname = Mark
|lastname = Foster
|namearticle = Mark Foster (swimmer)
|nation = GBR
|date = 28 January 2001
|meet = World Cup
|city = Paris
|country = FRA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 9
|time = 21.10
|firstname = Frédérick
|lastname = Bousquet
|namearticle = 
|nation = FRA
|date = 25 Mar 2004
|meet = NCAA Men's Division 1 Championships
|city = East Meadow, New York
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 10
|time = 20.98
|recordinfo = h
|firstname = Roland
|lastname = Schoeman
|namearticle = 
|nation = RSA
|date = 12 Aug 2006
|meet = Invitational
|city = Hamburg
|country = GER
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 11
|time = 20.93
|firstname = Stefan
|lastname = Nystrand
|namearticle = 
|nation = SWE
|date = 18 November 2007
|meet = World Cup
|city = Berlin
|country = GER
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 12
|time = 20.81
|firstname = Duje
|lastname = Draganja
|namearticle = 
|nation = CRO
|date =  11 April 2008
|meet = [[2008 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)|World Championships]]
|city = Manchester
|country = UK
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 13
|time = 20.64
|firstname = Roland
|lastname = Schoeman
|namearticle = 
|nation = RSA
|date = 7 September 2008
|meet = South African Championships
|city = Germiston
|country = RSA
|ref = <ref>{{cite news |title=Schoeman breaks 50m freestyle world record |url=http://www.sagoodnews.co.za/sport/schoeman_breaks_50m_freestyle_world_record.html |publisher=[[South Africa: The Good News]] |date=2008-09-08 |access-date=2008-09-21 |archive-date=2008-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913234952/http://www.sagoodnews.co.za/sport/schoeman_breaks_50m_freestyle_world_record.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 14
|time = 20.48
|recordinfo = sf
|firstname = Amaury
|lastname = Leveaux
|namearticle = 
|nation = FRA
|date = 11 December 2008
|meet = [[2008 European Short Course Swimming Championships|European Championships]]
|city = Rijeka
|country = CRO
|ref = <ref name=M2008EC>{{cite web|title=2008 European Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle Semifinals Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00010800000E000000FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=11 December 2008|accessdate=26 April 2025}}</ref>
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 15
|time = 20.30
|recordinfo = sf
|firstname = Roland
|lastname = Schoeman
|namearticle = 
|nation = RSA
|date = 8 August 2009
|meet = South African Championships
|city = Pietermaritzburg
|country = RSA
|ref = <ref name=M2009RSA>{{cite news|title=South African Short Course Championships: Roland Schoeman Lowers World Record|url=http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/22010.asp|date=8 August 2009|access-date=26 April 2025|website=Swimming World Magazine}}</ref>
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 16
|time = 20.26
|recordinfo = 
|firstname = Florent
|lastname = Manaudou
|namearticle = 
|club = {{flagu|France}}
|date = 5 December 2014
|meet = [[2014 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) – Men's 50 metre freestyle|World Championships]]
|city = Doha
|country = QAT
|ref = <ref name=M2014WC>{{cite web|title=12th FINA World Championships (25 m) - Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00010E010D00000002FFFFFFFFFFFF02.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=5 December 2014|accessdate=5 April 2025}}</ref>
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 17
|time = 20.24
|recordinfo = 
|firstname = Caeleb
|lastname = Dressel
|namearticle = 
|club = {{flagu|United States}}
|date = 20 December 2019
|meet = [[2019 International Swimming League|International Swimming League]]
|city = Las Vegas
|country = USA
|ref = <ref name=M2019ISL>{{cite web|title=2019 International Swimming League -Men's 50m Freestyle Results|url=https://isl.global/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/isl_vegas_day_1_results.pdf#page=13|work=[[Omega SA|Omega Timing]]|date=20 December 2019|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 18
|time = 20.16
|recordinfo = 
|firstname = Caeleb
|lastname = Dressel
|namearticle = 
|club = {{flagu|United States}}
|date = 21 November 2020
|meet = [[2020 International Swimming League|International Swimming League]]
|city = Budapest
|country = HUN
|ref = <ref name=M2020ISL>{{cite web|title=2020 International Swimming League (Final) - Men's 50m Freestyle Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/000114020F0101EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=omegatiming.com|date=21 November 2020|access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref>
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 19
|time = 20.08
|recordinfo = h
|firstname = Jordan
|lastname = Crooks
|namearticle = 
|club = {{flagu|Cayman Islands}}
|date = 14 December 2024
|meet = [[2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25 m)|World Championships]]
|city = Budapest
|country = HUN
|ref = <ref name=M2024WC(25)h>{{cite web|title=2024 World Aquatics Championships (25 m) - Men's 50m Freestyle Heats Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011800080101EB0101FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=14 December 2024|accessdate=14 December 2024}}</ref>
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 20
|time = 19.90
|recordinfo = sf
|firstname = Jordan
|lastname = Crooks
|namearticle = 
|club = {{flagu|Cayman Islands}}
|date = 14 December 2024
|meet = [[2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25 m)|World Championships]]
|city = Budapest
|country = HUN
|ref = <ref name=M2024WC(25)sf>{{cite web|title=2024 World Aquatics Championships (25 m) - Men's 50m Freestyle Semifinals Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011800080101EB0102FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=14 December 2024|accessdate=14 December 2024}}</ref>
}} 
{{end}}
{{swimmingrecordlegend|ratifier=FINA}}

==Women==

===Long course===
{{swimmingrecordlisttop|number=yes|nationality=yes|meet=yes}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 1
|time = 26.99
|recordinfo = r, †
|firstname = Kornelia
|lastname = Ender
|namearticle = 
|nation = GDR
|date = {{Dts|1975|Jul|26}}
|meet = World Championships
|city = Cali
|country = COL
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 2
|time = 26.95
|firstname = Johanna
|lastname = Malloy
|namearticle = 
|nation = CAN
|date = {{Dts|1977|Aug|16}}
|meet = Canada Summer Games
|city = St. John's, NL
|cityarticle = St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
|country = CAN
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 3
|time = 26.74
|firstname = Anne
|lastname = Jardin
|namearticle = 
|nation = CAN
|date = {{Dts|1978|Aug|19}}
|meet = Canada Summer Nationals
|city = Etobicoke
|country = CAN
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 4
|time = 26.61
|recordinfo = h
|firstname = Cynthia
|lastname = Woodhead
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1980|Apr|10}}
|meet = USA Spring Nationals
|city = Austin, Texas
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 5
|time = 26.53
|recordinfo = h
|firstname = Kelly
|lastname = Asplund
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1980|Apr|10}}
|meet = USA Spring Nationals
|city = Austin, Texas
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 6
|time = 26.32
|recordinfo = h
|firstname = Jill
|lastname = Sterkel
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1980|Apr|10}}
|meet = USA Spring Nationals
|city = Austin, Texas
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 7
|time = 25.96
|firstname = Jill
|lastname = Sterkel
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1980|Apr|10}}
|meet = USA Spring Nationals
|city = Austin, Texas
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 8
|time = 25.79
|recordinfo = tt
|firstname = Jill
|lastname = Sterkel
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1981|Apr|3}}
|meet = Longhorn Invitational
|city = Austin, Texas
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 9
|time = 25.69
|recordinfo = h
|firstname = Dara
|lastname = Torres
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1983|Jan|29}}
|meet = Speedo International
|city = Amersfoort
|country = NED
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 10
|time = 25.64
|firstname = Annemarie
|lastname = Verstappen
|namearticle = 
|nation = NED
|date = {{Dts|1983|Jul|9}}
|meet = NED Nationals
|city = Amersfoort
|country = NED
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 11
|time = 25.62
|firstname = Dara
|lastname = Torres
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1983|Aug|5}}
|meet = USA Nationals
|city = Clovis, California
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 12
|time = 25.61
|recordinfo = r
|firstname = Dara
|lastname = Torres
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = {{Dts|1984|Jul|21}}
|meet = Pre-Olympic meet
|city = Mission Viejo, California
|country = USA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 13
|time = 25.50
|recordinfo = h
|firstname = Tamara
|lastname = Costache
|namearticle = 
|nation = ROU
|nationvariant = 1965
|date = {{Dts|1986|Jul|16}}
|meet = ROU Nationals & World Championship Trials
|city = Bucharest
|country = ROU
|countryvariant = 1965
|ref = 
}}

{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 14
|time = 25.34
|firstname = Tamara
|lastname = Costache
|namearticle = 
|nation = ROU
|nationvariant = 1965
|date = {{Dts|1986|Jul|16}}
|meet = ROU Nationals & World Championship Trials
|city = Bucharest
|country = ROU
|countryvariant = 1965
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 15
|time = 25.31
|firstname = Tamara
|lastname = Costache
|namearticle = 
|nation = ROU
|nationvariant = 1965
|date = {{Dts|1986|Aug|1}}
|meet = Balkan Games
|city = Sofia
|country = BUL
|countryvariant = 1971
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 16
|time = 25.28
|firstname = Tamara
|lastname = Costache
|namearticle = 
|nation = ROU
|nationvariant = 1965
|date = {{Dts|1986|Aug|23}}
|meet = [[1986 World Aquatics Championships|World Championships]]
|city = Madrid
|country = ESP
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 17
|time = 24.98
|chinesename = Yang Wenyi
|namearticle = Yang Wenyi
|nation = CHN
|date = {{Dts|1988|Apr|11}}
|meet = [[Asian Swimming Championships]]
|city = Guangzhou
|country = CHN
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 18
|time = 24.79
|chinesename = Yang Wenyi
|namearticle = Yang Wenyi
|nation = CHN
|date = {{Dts|1992|Jul|31}}
|meet = [[Swimming at the 1992 Summer Olympics – Women's 50 metre freestyle|Olympic Games]]
|city = Barcelona
|country = ESP
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = {{sort|19.1|19}}
|time = 24.51
|chinesename = Le Jingyi
|namearticle = Le Jingyi
|nation = CHN
|date = {{Dts|1994|Sep|11}}
|meet = [[1994 World Aquatics Championships|World Championships]]
|city = Rome
|country = ITA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 19
|time = 24.51
|recordinfo = =, h
|firstname = Inge
|lastname = de Bruijn
|namearticle = 
|nation = NED
|date = {{Dts|2000|May|26}}
|meet = Super Speedo Grand Prix
|city = Sheffield
|country = UK
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 20
|time = 24.48
|firstname = Inge
|lastname = de Bruijn
|namearticle = 
|nation = NED
|date = {{Dts|2000|Jun|4}}
|meet = Dutch Championships
|city = Drachten
|country = NED
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 21
|time = 24.39
|firstname = Inge
|lastname = de Bruijn
|namearticle = 
|nation = NED
|date = {{Dts|2000|Jun|10}}
|meet = Trofeu Jose Finkel
|city = Rio de Janeiro
|country = BRA
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 22
|time = 24.13
|recordinfo = sf
|firstname = Inge
|lastname = de Bruijn
|namearticle = 
|nation = NED
|date = {{Dts|2000|Sep|22}}
|meet = [[Swimming at the 2000 Summer Olympics – Women's 50 metre freestyle|Olympic Games]]
|city = Sydney
|country = AUS
|ref = <ref name=W2000OG>{{cite web|title=2000 Olympic Games Results (Page 14)|url=https://websitedevsa.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/eventsdocuments/meet-results/international-event-results/olympic-games/2000-olympic-games.pdf#page=14|work=[[Omega SA|Omega Timing]]|date=29 September 2000|access-date=11 March 2024}}</ref>
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 23
|time = 24.09
|firstname = Marleen
|lastname = Veldhuis
|namearticle = 
|nation = NED
|date = {{Dts|2008|Mar|24}}
|meet = [[2008 European Aquatics Championships|European Championships]]
|city = Eindhoven
|country = NED
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 24
|time = 23.97
|recordinfo = 
|firstname = Libby
|lastname = Trickett
|namearticle = 
|nation = AUS
|date = {{Dts|2008|Mar|29}}
|meet = Australian Championships
|city = Sydney
|country = AUS
|ref = <ref name=W2008Aus>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Cowley |title=Just the Trickett: Libby breaks the speed barrier |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/beijing2008/trickett-breaks-the-speed-barrier/2008/03/29/1206207503283.html |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=2008-03-30 |access-date=2008-03-31}}</ref>
}}
{{swimmingrecord
|number = 25
|time = 23.96
|recordinfo = 
|firstname = Marleen
|lastname = Veldhuis
|namearticle = 
|nation= NED
|date = {{Dts|format=dmy|2009|Apr|19}}
|meet = Amsterdam Swim Cup
|city = Amsterdam
|country = NED
|ref = <ref name=2009Dutch>{{cite news|title=Amsterdam Swim Cup result 50 freestyle women|url=http://www.zwemkroniek.com/livetiming/asc09/ResultList_33F.pdf|publisher=amsterdamswimcup.nl |date=2009-04-19|access-date=2009-04-19}}</ref>
}}
{{swimmingrecord
|number = 26
|time = 23.73
|recordinfo = 
|firstname = Britta
|lastname = Steffen
|namearticle = 
|nation= GER
|date = {{Dts|format=dmy|2009|August|02}}
|meet = [[2009 World Aquatics Championships|World Championships]]
|city = Rome
|country = ITA
|ref = <ref name=W2009WC>{{cite web|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/0001090B0069000000FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|title=13th FINA World Championships - Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results|website=Omegatiming.com|date=2 August 2009|access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref>
}}
{{swimmingrecord
|number = 27
|time = 23.67
|recordinfo = sf
|firstname = Sarah
|lastname = Sjöström
|namearticle = 
|nation= SWE
|date = {{Dts|format=dmy|2017|Jul|29}}
|meet = [[2017 World Aquatics Championships|World Championships]]
|city = Budapest
|country = HUN
|ref = <ref name=W2017WCsf>{{cite web|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/000111010A0201EB02FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|title=17th FINA World Championships - Women's 50m Freestyle Semifinals Results|website=Omegatiming.com|date=29 July 2017|access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref>
}}
{{swimmingrecord
|number = 28
|time = 23.61
|recordinfo = sf
|firstname = Sarah
|lastname = Sjöström
|namearticle = 
|nation= SWE
|date = {{Dts|format=dmy|2023|July|29}}
|meet = [[Swimming at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships – Women's 50 metre freestyle|World Championships]]
|city = Fukuoka
|country = JAP
|ref = <ref name=W2023WCsf>{{cite web|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600010201EB0102FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|title=2023 World Aquatics Championships - Women's 50m Freestyle Semifinals Results|website=Omegatiming.com|date=29 July 2023|access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref>
}}
{{end}}
{{swimmingrecordlegend|ratifier=FINA}}

===Short course===

{{swimmingrecordlisttop|number=yes|nationality=yes|meet=yes}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 1
|time = 24.75
|recordinfo = 
|firstname = Franziska van
|lastname = Almsick
|namearticle = 
|nation = GER
|date = 4 November 1992
|meet = -
|city = Schwäbisch Gmünd
|country = GER
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 2
|time = 24.62
|recordinfo = h
|chinesename = Le Jingyi
|namearticle = Le Jingyi
|nation = CHN
|date = 3 December 1993
|meet = [[1993 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)|World Championships]]
|city = Palma de Mallorca
|country = ESP
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 3
|time = 24.23
|recordinfo = 
|chinesename = Le Jingyi
|namearticle = Le Jingyi
|nation = CHN
|date = 3 December 1993
|meet = [[1993 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)|World Championships]]
|city = Palma de Mallorca
|country = ESP
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 4
|time = 24.09
|recordinfo = 
|firstname = Therese
|lastname = Alshammar
|namearticle = 
|nation = SWE
|date = 11 December 1999
|meet = [[1999 European Short Course Swimming Championships|European Championships]]
|city = Lisbon
|country = POR
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 5
|time = 23.59
|recordinfo = 
|firstname = Therese
|lastname = Alshammar
|namearticle = 
|nation = SWE
|date = 18 March 2000
|meet = [[2000 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)|World Championships]]
|city = Athens
|country = GRE
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 6
|time = 23.58
|recordinfo = 
|firstname = Marleen
|lastname = Veldhuis
|namearticle = 
|nation = NED
|date = 17 November 2007
|meet = World Cup
|city = Berlin
|country = GER
|ref = 
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 7
|time = 23.25
|recordinfo = 
|firstname = Marleen
|lastname = Veldhuis
|namearticle = 
|nation = NED
|date = 13 April 2008
|meet = [[2008 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)|World Championships]]
|city = Manchester
|country = UK
|ref = <ref name=W2008WC>{{cite web|title=2008 FINA World Championships (25m) - Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/0001080E0060000000FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=13 April 2008|access-date=7 April 2025}}</ref>
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 8
|time = 23.24
|recordinfo = 
|firstname = Ranomi
|lastname = Kromowidjojo
|namearticle = 
|nation = NED
|date = 7 August 2013
|meet = World Cup
|city = Eindhoven
|country = NED
|ref = <ref name=W2013Eindhoven>{{cite web|title=2013 FINA World Cup (Eindhoven) - Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00010D020501001402FFFFFFFFFFFF02.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=7 August 2013|access-date=7 April 2025}}</ref>
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 8
|time = 23.24
|recordinfo = =
|firstname = Ranomi
|lastname = Kromowidjojo
|namearticle = 
|nation = NED
|date = 12 December 2015
|meet = [[Duel in the Pool]]
|city = Indianapolis
|country = USA
|ref = <ref name=W2015Duel>{{cite web |url=http://www.swimvortex.com/duel-in-the-pool-decider-with-usa-primed-to-keep-winning-streak-alive-over-europe/ |title=Duel In The Pool Over Before Over: WRS For Grevers, Kromowidjojo; USA Keeps Crown |first1=Craig |last1=Lord |date=December 12, 2015 |publisher=Swimvortex |access-date=December 12, 2015 |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222114648/http://www.swimvortex.com/duel-in-the-pool-decider-with-usa-primed-to-keep-winning-streak-alive-over-europe/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 9
|time = 23.10
|recordinfo = 
|firstname = Sarah 
|lastname = Sjöström
|namearticle = 
|nation = SWE
|date = 2 August 2017
|meet = [[2017 FINA Swimming World Cup|World Cup]]
|city = Moscow
|country = RUS
|ref = <ref name=W2017Moscow>{{cite web|title=2017 FINA World Cup (Moscow) - Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011101010201EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=2 August 2017|access-date=7 April 2025}}</ref>
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 10
|time = 22.93
|recordinfo = 
|firstname = Ranomi
|lastname = Kromowidjojo
|namearticle = 
|nation = NED
|date = 7 August 2017
|meet = [[2017 FINA Swimming World Cup|World Cup]]
|city = Berlin
|country = GER
|ref = <ref name=W2017Berlin>{{cite web|title=2017 FINA World Cup (Berlin) - Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011101020201EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=7 August 2017|access-date=7 April 2025}}</ref>
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 11
|time = 22.87
|recordinfo = sf
|firstname = Gretchen
|lastname = Walsh
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = 14 December 2024
|meet = [[2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25 m) – Women's 50 metre freestyle|World Championships]]
|city = Budapest
|country = HUN
|ref = <ref name=W2024WC(25)sf>{{cite web|title=2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25 m) - Women's 50m Freestyle Semifinals Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011800080201EB0102FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=15 December 2024|access-date=3 January 2025}}</ref>
}}
{{Swimmingrecord
|number = 12
|time = 22.83
|recordinfo = 
|firstname = Gretchen
|lastname = Walsh
|namearticle = 
|nation = USA
|date = 15 December 2024
|meet = [[2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25 m) – Women's 50 metre freestyle|World Championships]]
|city = Budapest
|country = HUN
|ref = <ref name=W2024WC(25)>{{cite web|title=2024 World Aquatics Championships (25 m) - Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011800080201EB0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=15 December 2024|access-date=15 December 2024}}</ref>
}}
{{end}}
{{swimmingrecordlegend|ratifier=FINA}}

==All-time top 25==
{| style="wikitable"
|-
| Tables show data for two definitions of "Top 25" - the top 25 '''50 m freestyle times''' and the top 25 '''athletes''':
|-
| style="background: #f6F5CE" |''- denotes top performance for '''athletes''' in the top 25 '''50 m freestyle times'''''
|-
|''- denotes lesser performances, still in the top 25 '''50 m freestyle times''', by repeat athletes''
|-
| style="background: #CCFFCC" |''- denotes top performance (only) for other top 25 '''athletes''' who fall outside the top 25 50 m freestyle times''
|}

===Men long course===
*Correct as of April 2025<ref>{{cite web|title=Men's 50m Freestyle Long Course All-Time Ranking|url=https://www.worldaquatics.com/swimming/rankings?gender=M&distance=50&stroke=FREESTYLE&poolConfiguration=LCM&year=all&startDate=&endDate=&timesMode=ALL_TIMES&regionId=all&countryId=|publisher=World Aquatics|access-date=23 March 2025}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! {{abbr|Ath.#|Athlete rank}}  
! {{abbr|Perf.#|Performance rank}} 
! Time 
! Athlete 
! Nation 
! Date 
! Place 
! class="unsortable" | {{refh}}
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 1
| align=center | 1
| 20.91
| [[César Cielo]]
| {{BRA}}
| 18 December 2009
| [[São Paulo]]
| <ref name=2009Brazil/>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 2
| align=center | 2
| 20.94
| [[Frédérick Bousquet]]
| {{FRA}}
| 26 April 2009
| [[Montpellier]]
| <ref name=2009French/>
|-
| align=center |
| align=center | 3
| 21.02
|''Cielo #2''
| 
| 17 December 2009
| São Paulo
| <ref name=2009Brazil/>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| rowspan="2" align=center |3
| rowspan="2" align=center |4
| rowspan="2" align=left|21.04
| rowspan="2" align=left|[[Caeleb Dressel]]
| rowspan="2" align=left |{{USA}}
| 27 July 2019
| [[Gwangju]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=18th FINA World Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011301070101EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=27 July 2019|accessdate=12 March 2025}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| 20 June 2021
| [[Omaha]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2020 US Olympic Team Trials - Wave II: Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011500030101EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=20 June 2021|accessdate=6 July 2021}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 4
| align=center | 6
| 21.06
| [[Cameron McEvoy]]
| {{AUS}}
| 29 July 2023
| [[Fukuoka]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2023 World Aquatics Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600010101EB0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=[[Omega SA|Omega Timing]]|date=29 July 2023|access-date=29 July 2023}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" align=center |
| align=center | 7
| 21.07
| ''Dressel #3''
| rowspan="2" |
| 1 August 2021
| [[Tokyo]]
| <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/resOG2020-/pdf/OG2020-/SWM/OG2020-_SWM_C73A1_SWMM50MFR-------------FNL-000100--.pdf |title=Final results |access-date=1 August 2021 |archive-date=1 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801044648/https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/resOG2020-/pdf/OG2020-/SWM/OG2020-_SWM_C73A1_SWMM50MFR-------------FNL-000100--.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 8
| 21.08
| ''Cielo #3''
| 1 August 2009
| [[Rome]]
| <ref name=M2009WC>{{cite web|title=13th FINA World Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700000101EB0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=[[Omega SA|Omega Timing]]|date=1 August 2009|access-date=7 March 2025}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 5
| align=center | 9
| 21.11
| [[Benjamin Proud]]
| {{GBR2}}
| 8 August 2018
| [[Glasgow]]
| <ref name=2018European>{{cite web|title=2018 European Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle Semifinals Results|url=http://glasgow2018.microplustiming.com/export/NU_Glasgow2018/NU/pdf/SWMM50MFR-------------SFNL--------_74A%201.0.pdf?x=00:57:30|publisher=microplustiming.com|date=8 August 2018|access-date=8 August 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="6" align=center |
| align=center | 10
| 21.13
| ''McEvoy #2''
| rowspan="6" |
| 16 February 2024
| [[Doha]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2024 World Aquatics Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle Heats Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011800000101EB0101FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=16 February 2024|access-date=16 February 2024}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 11
| 21.14
| ''Cielo #4''
| 9 July 2009
| [[Indianapolis]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2009 US National Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle B Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/0001090E0024000000FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf#page=2|work=[[Omega SA|Omega Timing]]|date=9 July 2009|access-date=27 March 2025}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 12
| 21.15
| ''Dressel #4''
| 29 July 2017
| [[Budapest]]
| <ref name=M2017WC>{{cite web|title=17th FINA World Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/000111010A0101EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=[[Omega SA|Omega Timing]]|date=29 July 2017|access-date=29 July 2017}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 13
| 21.16
| ''Proud #2''
| 29 June 2018
| Rome
| 
|-
| align=center | 14
| 21.17
| ''Bousquet #2''
| 28 June 2009
| [[Pescara]]
| <ref>{{cite magazine|title=Mediterranean Games: Aschwin Wildeboer Faber, Alessia Filippi Set Respective National Records|url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/mediterranean-games-aschwin-wildeboer-faber-alessia-filippi-set-respective-national-records/|magazine=[[Swimming World Magazine]]|date=28 June 2009|access-date=27 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 15
| 21.18
| ''Dressel #5''
| 27 July 2019
| Gwangju
| <ref>{{cite web|title=18th FINA World Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011301070101EB02FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=[[Omega SA|Omega Timing]]|date=27 July 2019|access-date=27 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| rowspan="2" align=center |6
| rowspan="2" align=center |16
| rowspan="2" align=left|21.19
| [[Ashley Callus]]
| {{AUS}}
| 26 November 2009
| [[Canberra]]
|  <ref>{{cite web|title=Speedo AIS Meet Results Finals Day 2|url=http://www.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/335307/day_2_finals_results.pdf#page=6|format=PDF|publisher=[[Australian Institute of Sport]]|date=26 November 2009|access-date=13 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317072955/http://ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/335307/day_2_finals_results.pdf#page=6|archive-date=17 March 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| [[Florent Manaudou]]
| {{FRA}}
| 8 August 2015
| [[Kazan]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=16th FINA World Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00010F020000000002FFFFFFFFFFFF02.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=8 August 2015|accessdate=12 March 2025}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 8
| align=center | 18
| 21.20
| [[George Bovell]]
| {{TTO}}
| 31 July 2009
| Rome
| <ref name=M2009WCso>{{cite web|title=Men's 50m Freestyle Semifinal Swim-off|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/0001090B0053000000FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=[[Omega SA|Omega Timing]]|date=31 July 2009|access-date=7 March 2025}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" align=center |19
| rowspan="2" align=left|21.21
| ''Bousquet #3''
| rowspan="2" |
| 31 July 2009
| Rome
| <ref name=M2009WCsf>{{cite web|title=13th FINA World Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle Semifinals|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/0001090B004D000000FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=[[Omega SA|Omega Timing]]|date=31 July 2009|access-date=7 March 2025}}</ref>
|-
| ''Bousquet #4''
| 1 August 2009
| Rome
| <ref name=M2009WC/>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 9
| align=center | 21
| 21.23
| [[Alain Bernard]]
| {{FRA}}
| 26 April 2009
| [[Montpellier]]
| <ref name=2009French/>
|-
| rowspan="2" align=center |
| align=center | 21
| 21.23
| ''McEvoy #3''
| rowspan="2" |
| 16 February 2024
| Doha
| <ref name=M2024WCsf>{{cite web|title=2024 World Aquatics Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle Semifinals Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011800000101EB0102FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=16 February 2024|access-date=16 February 2024}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 23
| 21.24
| ''Callus #2''
| 26 November 2009
| Canberra
|
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 10
| align=center | 24
| 21.25
| [[Amaury Leveaux]]
| {{FRA}}
| 1 August 2009
| Rome
| <ref name=M2009WC/>
|-
| rowspan="3" |
| rowspan="3" align=center |24
| rowspan="3" align=left|21.25
| ''McEvoy #4''
| rowspan="3" |
| 28 July 2023
| Fukuoka
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2023 World Aquatics Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle Semifinals Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600010101EB0102FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=[[Omega SA|Omega Timing]]|date=28 July 2023|access-date=27 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| ''Proud #3''
| 6 April 2024
| [[London]]
| 
|-
| ''McEvoy #5''
| 2 August 2024
| [[Paris]]
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Olympic Games - Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results |url=https://olympics.com/OG2024/pdf/OG2024/SWM/OG2024_SWM_C73A1_SWMM50MFR-------------FNL-000100--.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923050553/https://olympics.com/OG2024/pdf/OG2024/SWM/OG2024_SWM_C73A1_SWMM50MFR-------------FNL-000100--.pdf |archive-date=2024-09-23 |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=olympics.com |publisher=[[International Olympic Committee]]}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| rowspan="2" align=center |11
| rowspan="15" align=center |
| rowspan="2" align=left|21.27
| [[Bruno Fratus]]
| {{BRA}}
| 29 July 2017
| [[Budapest]]
| <ref name=M2017WC/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Vladimir Morozov (swimmer)|Vladimir Morozov]]
| {{RUS}}
| 15 August 2019
| [[Singapore]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2019 FINA World Cup - Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011301020101EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=15 August 2019|accessdate=12 March 2025}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 13
| 21.28
| [[Eamon Sullivan]]
| {{AUS}}
| 28 March 2008
| [[Sydney]]
| <ref name=2008Australian/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 14
| 21.29
| [[Duje Draganja]]
| {{CRO}}
| 31 July 2009
| Rome
| <ref name=M2009WCsf/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| rowspan="2" align=center |15
| rowspan="2" align=left|21.37
| [[Nathan Adrian]]
| {{USA}}
| 7 August 2015
| Kazan
| <ref>{{cite web|title=16th FINA World Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle Semifinals Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00010F020000000001FFFFFFFFFFFF02.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=7 August 2015|accessdate=12 March 2025}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Andrea Vergani]]
| {{ITA}}
| 8 August 2018
| Glasgow
| <ref name=2018European/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 17
| 21.38
| [[Vladyslav Bukhov]]
| {{UKR}}
| 16 February 2024
| Doha
| <ref name=M2024WCsf/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| rowspan="2" align=center |18
| rowspan="2" align=left|21.40
| [[Cullen Jones]]
| {{USA}}
| 31 July 2009
| Rome
| <ref name=M2009WCsf/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Anthony Ervin]]
| {{USA}}
| 12 August 2016
| [[Rio de Janeiro]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rio2016.com/en/swimming-standings-sw-mens-50m-freestyle |title=2016 Olympic Games - Men's 50m Freestyle |publisher=[[Rio 2016]] |access-date=5 August 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826101857/https://www.rio2016.com/en/swimming-standings-sw-mens-50m-freestyle |archive-date=26 August 2016}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 20
| 21.41
| [[Michael Andrew (swimmer)|Michael Andrew]]
| {{USA}}
| 24 June 2022
| Budapest
| <ref>{{cite web|title=Men's 19th FINA World Championships - 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700000101EB0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=[[Omega SA|Omega Timing]]|date=24 June 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 21
| 21.42
| [[Krisztián Takács]]
| {{HUN}}
| 31 July 2009
| Rome
| <ref name=M2009WCso/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 22
| 21.43
| [[Egor Kornev]]
| {{RUS}}
| 16 April 2025
| [[Kazan]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2025 Russian Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://russwimming.ru/upload/live/4R_LC_2025/ResultList_120F.pdf|publisher=russwimming.ru|access-date=16 April 2025|date=16 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 23
| 21.44
| [[Kristian Gkolomeev]]
| {{GRE}}
| 9 August 2018
| [[Glasgow]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2018 European Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=http://glasgow2018.microplustiming.com/export/NU_Glasgow2018/NU/pdf/SWMM50MFR-------------FNL-000100--_73A1%201.0.pdf?x=00:02:54|publisher=microplustiming.com|date=9 August 2018|access-date=9 August 2018}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| rowspan="2" align=center | 24
| rowspan="2" align=left|21.45
| [[Stefan Nystrand]]
| {{SWE}}
| 31 July 2009
| Rome
| <ref name=M2009WCsf/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Paweł Juraszek]]
| {{POL}}
| 24 May 2018
| [[Łódź]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2018 Polish Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle Heats Results|url=http://live.megatiming.pl/grabiec/2018/05_27_lodz/ResultList_4_us.pdf|publisher=live.megatiming.pl|access-date=24 May 2018|date=15 May 2019}}</ref>
|-
|}

===Men short course===
*Correct as of December 2024<ref>{{cite web|title=Men's 50m Freestyle Short Course All-Time Ranking|url=https://api.worldaquatics.com/fina/rankings/swimming/report/pdf?gender=M&distance=50&stroke=FREESTYLE&poolConfiguration=SCM&year=&startDate=&endDate=&timesMode=ALL_TIMES&regionId=&countryId=&pageSize=200|publisher=World Aquatics|access-date=6 December 2023}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! {{abbr|Ath.#|Athlete rank}}  
! {{abbr|Perf.#|Performance rank}} 
! Time 
! Athlete 
! Nation 
! Date 
! Place 
! class="unsortable" | {{refh}}
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 1
| align=center | 1
| 19.90
| [[Jordan Crooks]]
| {{CAY}}
| 14 December 2024
| [[Budapest]]
| <ref name=M2024WC(25)sf/>
|-
| align=center |
| align=center | 2
| 20.08
|''Crooks #2''
| 
| 14 December 2024
| Budapest
| <ref name=M2024WC(25)h/>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 2
| align=center | 3
| 20.16
| [[Caeleb Dressel]]
| {{USA}}
| 21 November 2020
| Budapest
| <ref name=M2020ISL/>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 3
| align=center | 4
| 20.18
| [[Ben Proud]]
| {{GBR2}}
| 7 December 2023
| [[Otopeni]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2023 European Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600090101EB0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=7 December 2023|access-date=7 December 2023}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |
| align=center | 5
| 20.19
|''Crooks #3''
| rowspan="2" |
| 15 December 2024
| Budapest
| <ref name=M2024WC(25)>{{cite web|title=2024 World Aquatics Championships (25m) - Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011800080101EB0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=15 December 2024|access-date=3 January 2025}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 6
| 20.24
|''Dressel #2''
| 20 December 2019
| [[Las Vegas]]
| <ref name=M2019ISL/>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 4
| align=center | 7
| 20.26
| [[Florent Manaudou]]
| {{FRA}}
| 5 December 2014
| [[Doha]]
| <ref name=M2014WC/>
|-
| align=center |
| align=center | 8
| 20.28
|''Dressel #3''
| 
| 15 November 2020
| Budapest
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2020 International Swimming League (Semifinal 2) - Men's 50m Freestyle Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/000114020E0101EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=omegatiming.com|date=15 November 2020|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 5
| align=center | 9
| 20.30
| [[Roland Schoeman]]
| {{RSA}}
| 8 August 2009
| [[Pietermaritzburg]]
| <ref name=M2009RSA/>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 6
| align=center | 10
| 20.31
| [[Vladimir Morozov (swimmer)|Vladimir Morozov]]
| {{RUS}}
| 15 December 2017
| [[Copenhagen]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2017 European Championships - Men's 50m Freestyle Results|url=http://copenhagen2017.microplustiming.com/export/NU/NU/pdf/CLS-ASM-50FR-FIN-ALL.pdf|publisher=microplustiming.com|date=15 December 2017|access-date=16 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216034901/http://copenhagen2017.microplustiming.com/export/NU/NU/pdf/CLS-ASM-50FR-FIN-ALL.pdf|archive-date=16 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="10" |
| align=center | 10
| 20.31
| ''Crooks #4''
| rowspan="10" |
| 16 December 2022
| [[Melbourne]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=16th FINA World Championships (25m) - Men's 50m Freestyle Semifinals Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700030101EB0102FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=omegatiming.com|date=16 December 2022|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 12
| 20.33
| ''Morozov #2''
| 14 December 2018
| [[Hangzhou]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=14th FINA World Championships (25m) - Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/000112010C0101EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=omegatiming.com|date=14 December 2018|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 13
| 20.36
| ''Crooks #5''
| 16 December 2022
| Melbourne
| <ref name=M2022WCh>{{cite web|title=16th FINA World Championships (25m) - Men's 50m Freestyle Heats Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700030101EB0101FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=omegatiming.com|date=16 December 2022|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 14
| 20.39
| ''Morozov #3''
| 14 December 2018
| Hangzhou
| <ref name=M2018WCr>{{cite web|title=14th FINA World Championships (25m) - Men's 4×100m Freestyle Relay Final Results |url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/000112010C0101F604FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=omegatiming.com|date=14 December 2018|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" align=center | 15
| rowspan="2" | 20.40
| ''Morozov #4''
| 6 December 2019
| [[Glasgow]]
| 
|-
| ''Proud #2''
| 3 December 2021
| [[Eindhoven]]
| 
|-
| align=center | 17
| 20.43
| ''Dressel #4''
| 14 December 2018
| Hangzhou
| <ref name=M2018WCr/>
|-
| rowspan="2" align=center | 18
| rowspan="2" | 20.45
| ''Morozov #5''
| 15 December 2017
| Copenhagen
| 
|-
| ''Proud #3''
| 19 December 2021
| [[Abu Dhabi]]
| 
|-
| align=center | 20
| 20.46
| ''Crooks #6''
| 17 December 2022
| Melbourne
| <ref name=M2022WC>{{cite web|title=16th FINA World Championships (25m) - Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700030101EB0102FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=omegatiming.com|date=17 December 2022|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 7
| align=center | 21
| 20.48
| [[Amaury Leveaux]]
| {{FRA}}
| 11 December 2008
| [[Rijeka]]
| <ref name=M2008EC/>
|-
| rowspan="3" |
| align=center | 21
| 20.48
| ''Morozov #6''
| rowspan="3" |
| 15 November 2018
| [[Singapore]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2018 FINA World Cup (Singapore) - Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/000112010B0101EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=omegatiming.com|date=15 November 2018|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" align=center | 23
| rowspan="2" | 20.49
| ''Morozov #7''
| 9 November 2018
| [[Tokyo]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2018 FINA World Cup (Tokyo) - Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/000112010A0101EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=omegatiming.com|date=9 November 2018|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| ''Proud #4''
| 17 December 2022
| Melbourne
| <ref name=M2022WC/>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 8
| align=center | 25
| 20.51
| [[César Cielo]]
| {{BRA}}
| 17 December 2010
| [[Dubai]]
| 
|-
| rowspan="3" |
| rowspan="3" align=center | 25
| rowspan="3" | 20.51
| ''Manaudou #2''
| rowspan="3" |
| 21 November 2014
| [[Montpellier]]
| 
|-
| ''Morozov #8''
| 4 October 2018
| Budapest
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2018 FINA World Cup (Budapest) - Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011201080101EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=omegatiming.com|date=4 October 2018|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| ''Dressel #5''
| 13 December 2018
| Hangzhou
| <ref>{{cite web|title=14th FINA World Championships (25m) - Men's 50m Freestyle Semifinals Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/000112010C0101EB02FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=omegatiming.com|date=13 December 2018|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 8
| align=center | 25
| 20.51
| [[Jack Alexy]]
| {{USA}}
| 14 December 2024
| Budapest
| <ref name=M2024WC(25)sf/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 10
| rowspan="16" align=center |
| 20.53
| [[Frédérick Bousquet]]
| {{FRA}}
| 10 December 2009
| [[Istanbul]]
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 11
| 20.57
| [[Guilherme Caribé]]
| {{BRA}}
| 15 December 2024
| Budapest
| <ref name=M2024WC(25)/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 12
| 20.63
| [[Nyls Korstanje]]
| {{NED}}
| 14 December 2024
| Budapest
| <ref name=M2024WC(25)sf/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 13
| 20.64
| [[Alain Bernard]]
| {{FRA}}
| 14 December 2008
| Rijeka
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| rowspan="2" align=center | 14
| rowspan="2" | 20.68
| [[Maxim Lobanovszkij]]
| {{HUN}}
| 14 December 2019
| [[Kaposvár]]
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Kyle Chalmers]]
| {{AUS}}
| 28 October 2021
| [[Kazan]]
| <ref>[[FINA]] (28 October 2021). [https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011500120101EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf "FINA Swimming World Cup 2021 Kazan (RUS): Men's 50m Freestyle Final Results"]. ''[[Omega Timing]]''. Retrieved 28 October 2021.</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 16
| 20.69
| [[Marco Orsi]]
| {{ITA}}
| 5 December 2014
| Doha
| <ref name=M2014WC/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| rowspan="5" align=center | 17
| rowspan="5" | 20.70
| [[Stefan Nystrand]]
| {{SWE}}
| 15 November 2009
| [[Berlin]]
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Duje Draganja]]
| {{CRO}}
| 10 December 2009
| Istanbul
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Evgeny Sedov]]
| {{RUS}}
| 6 December 2014
| Doha
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Ryan Held]]
| {{USA}}
| 19 December 2021
| Abu Dhabi
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Dylan Carter (swimmer)|Dylan Carter]]
| {{TTO}}
| 16 December 2022
| Melbourne
| <ref name=M2022WCh/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| rowspan="2" align=center | 22
| rowspan="2" | 20.72
| [[Szebasztián Szabó]]
| {{HUN}}
| 4 November 2021
| Kazan
| <ref name="LEN4Nov2021f50fr">[[LEN]] (4 November 2021). [http://kazan2021.microplustiming.com/export/NU_Kazan2021/NU/pdf/SWMM50MFR-------------FNL-000100--_73A1%201.0.pdf?x=08:45:30 "2021 European Short Course Swimming Championships Kazan (RUS): Results 50m Freestyle Men Final"]. ''Microplus Informatica''. Retrieved 6 November 2021.</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Chris Guiliano]]
| {{USA}}
| 14 December 2024
| Budapest
| <ref name=M2024WC(25)h/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 24
| 20.73
| [[Steffen Deibler]]
| {{GER}}
| 15 November 2009
| [[Berlin]]
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 25
| 20.74
| [[Nicholas Santos]]
| {{BRA}}
| 15 November 2009
| Berlin
| 
|}

===Women long course===
*Correct as of December 2024<ref>{{cite web|title=Women's 50m Freestyle Long Course All-Time Ranking|url=https://www.worldaquatics.com/swimming/rankings?gender=F&distance=50&stroke=FREESTYLE&poolConfiguration=LCM&year=all&startDate=&endDate=&timesMode=ALL_TIMES&regionId=all&countryId=|publisher=World Aquatics|access-date=23 March 2025}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! {{abbr|Ath.#|Athlete rank}}  
! {{abbr|Perf.#|Performance rank}} 
! Time 
! Athlete 
! Nation 
! Date 
! Place 
! class="unsortable" | {{refh}}
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 1
| align=center | 1
| 23.61
| [[Sarah Sjöström]]
| {{SWE}}
| 29 July 2023
| [[Fukuoka]]
| <ref name=W2023WCsf/>
|-
| rowspan="6" | 
| align=center | 2
| 23.62
|''Sjöström #2''
| rowspan="6" | 
| 30 July 2023
| Fukuoka
| <ref name=W2023WC>{{cite web|title=2023 World Aquatics Championships - Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600010201EB0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=30 July 2023|access-date=30 July 2023}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 3
| 23.66
|''Sjöström #3''
| 3 August 2024
| [[Paris]]
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Women's 50m Freestyle Semifinals Results |url=https://olympics.com/OG2024/pdf/OG2024/SWM/OG2024_SWM_C73A2_SWMW50MFR-------------SFNL--------.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815175203/https://olympics.com/OG2024/pdf/OG2024/SWM/OG2024_SWM_C73A2_SWMW50MFR-------------SFNL--------.pdf |archive-date=2024-08-15 |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=olympics.com |publisher=[[International Olympic Committee]]}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 4
| 23.67
|''Sjöström #4''
| 29 July 2017
| [[Budapest]]
| <ref name=W2017WCsf/>
|-
| rowspan="2" align=center | 5
| rowspan="2" | 23.69
|''Sjöström #5''
| 30 July 2017
| Budapest
| <ref name=W2017WC>{{cite web|title=17th FINA World Championships - Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=http://www.omegatiming.com/File/Download?id=000111010A0201EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01|publisher=Omega Timing|date=30 July 2017|accessdate=30 July 2017}}</ref>
|-
|''Sjöström #6''
| 18 February 2024
| [[Doha]]
| <ref name=W2024WC>{{cite web|title=2024 World Aquatics Championships - Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011800000201EB0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=17 February 2024|access-date=17 February 2024}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 7
| 23.71
|''Sjöström #7''
| 4 August 2024
| Paris
| <ref name=W2024OG>{{cite web|title=2024 Olympic Games - Women's 50m Freestyle Final Result|url=https://olympics.com/OG2024/pdf/OG2024/SWM/OG2024_SWM_C73A1_SWMW50MFR-------------FNL-000100--.pdf|website=olympics.com|date=4 August 2024|access-date=6 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 2
| align=center | 8
| 23.73
| [[Britta Steffen]]
| {{GER}}
| 2 August 2009
| [[Rome]]
| <ref name=W2009WC/>
|-
| 
| align=center | 9
| 23.74
|''Sjöström #8''
| 
| 4 August 2018
| [[Glasgow]]
| <ref name=W2018EC>{{cite web|title=2018 European Championships - Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=http://glasgow2018.microplustiming.com/export/NU_Glasgow2018/NU/pdf/SWMW50MFR-------------FNL-000100--_73A1%201.0.pdf?x=01:37:10|publisher=microplustiming.com|date=4 August 2018|access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 3
| align=center | 10
| 23.75
| [[Pernille Blume]]
| {{DEN}}
| 4 August 2018
| Glasgow
| <ref name=W2018EC/>
|-
| 
| align=center | 10
| 23.75
|''Sjöström #9''
| 
| 23 June 2024
| Rome
| <ref>{{cite magazine|title=Sette Colli, Day 3: Sarah Sjöström Rattles 50 Free WR In 23.75|url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/sette-colli-day-3-sarah-sjostrom-rattles-50-free-wr-in-23-75/|magazine=[[Swimming World]]|author=Liz Byrnes|date=23 June 2024|access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 4
| align=center | 12
| 23.78
| [[Cate Campbell]]
| {{AUS}}
| 4 April 2024
| [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]]
| <ref>{{cite news|last=Rieder|first=David|title=Olympics, Swimming: Cate Campbell Posts Third-Fastest Time Ever for 50 Free Title, 23.78|url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/cate-campbell-posts-third-fastest-time-ever-for-50-free-title/|date=7 April 2018|access-date=19 March 2025|website=Swimming World}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |
| align=center | 12
| 23.78
|''Sjöström #10''
| rowspan="3" | 
| 30 June 2019
| Malmö
| <ref>{{cite news|title=Sjostrom Fires Off 23.78 50 Free Scorcher to Hold 3 of 5 Top Swims Ever|url=https://swimswam.com/sjostrom-fires-off-2378-50free-scorcher-to-hold-3-of-5-top-swims-ever/|work=[[SwimSwam]]|author=Retta Race|date=30 June 2019|access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 14
| 23.79
|''C. Campbell #2''
| 3 March 2018
| Gold Coast
| <ref>{{cite magazine|title=Cate Campbell Breaks Australian, Commonwealth Record in 50 Free|url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/cate-campbell-breaks-australian-commonwealth-record-in-50-free/|magazine=[[Swimming World]]|author=Dan D'addona|date=3 March 2018|access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 15
| 23.81
|''C. Campbell #3''
| 12 August 2018
| [[Tokyo]]
| <ref>{{cite web | title = 2018 Pan Pacific Championships – Women 50m Freestyle Final Results |work =Seiko.co.jp|date=12 August 2018 | url = http://swim.seiko.co.jp/en/2018/S80701/ranking/eng12R075.pdf |accessdate = 15 August 2018}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 5
| align=center | 15
| 23.81
| [[Emma McKeon]]
| {{AUS}}
| 1 August 2021
| Tokyo
| <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/resOG2020-/pdf/OG2020-/SWM/OG2020-_SWM_C73A1_SWMW50MFR-------------FNL-000100--.pdf |title=2020 Olympic Games - Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results |access-date=1 August 2021 |archive-date=1 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801044825/https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/resOG2020-/pdf/OG2020-/SWM/OG2020-_SWM_C73A1_SWMW50MFR-------------FNL-000100--.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="6" |
| align=center | 17
| 23.82
|''Sjöström #11''
| rowspan="6" |
| 21 May 2023
| [[Monaco]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=Semi-final : 50 Freestyle Women|url=https://marenostrumswimtour.com/results_files/resultats_82137_1_50-nl-dam-12-finale-1.pdf|work=marenostrumswimtour.com|date=21 May 2023|access-date=21 May 2023}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" align=center | 18
| rowspan="2" | 23.83
|''Sjöström #12''
| 10 April 2017
| [[Stockholm]]
| 
|-
|''Sjöström #13''
| 7 September 2018
| [[Kazan]]
| 
|-
| align=center | 20
| 23.84
|''C. Campbell #4''
| 13 April 2016
| [[Adelaide]]
| <ref>{{cite magazine|title=Cate Campbell Blasts 23.84 Commonwealth and All Comers Record; Just Shy of World Record|url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/cate-campbell-blasts-23-84-commonwealth-and-all-comers-record-just-shy-of-world-record/|magazine=[[Swimming World]]|author=Cathleen Pruden|date=14 April 2016|access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" align=center | 21
| rowspan="2" | 23.85
|''Sjöström #14''
| 17 June 2017
| [[Canet-en-Roussillon]]
| 
|-
|''Sjöström #15''
| 2 July 2017
| [[Borås]]
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 6
| align=center | 21
| 23.85
| [[Ranomi Kromowidjojo]]
| {{NED}}
| 30 July 2017
| Budapest
| <ref name=W2017WC/>
|-
| rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" align=center | 21
| rowspan="2" | 23.85
|''Blume #2''
| rowspan="2" |
| 3 August 2018
| Glasgow
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2018 European Championships - Women's 50m Freestyle Semifinals Results|url=http://glasgow2018.microplustiming.com/export/NU_GLASGOW2018/NU/pdf/SWMW50MFR-------------SFNL--------_74A%201.0.pdf|publisher=microplustiming.com|date=4 August 2018|access-date=4 August 2018}}</ref>
|-
|''Sjöström #16''
| 3 August 2024
| Paris
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Olympic Games - Women's 50m Freestyle Heats Results |url=https://olympics.com/OG2024/pdf/OG2024/SWM/OG2024_SWM_C73A2_SWMW50MFR-------------HEAT--------.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815174925/https://olympics.com/OG2024/pdf/OG2024/SWM/OG2024_SWM_C73A2_SWMW50MFR-------------HEAT--------.pdf |archive-date=2024-08-15 |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=olympics.com |publisher=[[International Olympic Committee]]}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 7
| rowspan="19" |
| 23.88
| [[Therese Alshammar]]
| {{SWE}}
| 2 August 2009
| Rome
| <ref name=W2009WC/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 8
| 23.91
| [[Kate Douglass]]
| {{USA}}
| 18 February 2024
| Doha
| <ref name=W2024WC/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 9
| 23.95
| [[Katarzyna Wasick]]
| {{POL}}
| 18 February 2024
| Doha
| <ref name=W2024WC/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| rowspan="2" align=center | 10
| rowspan="2" | 23.96
| [[Marleen Veldhuis]]
| {{NED}}
| 16 April 2009
| [[Amsterdam]]
| <ref name=2009Dutch/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Fran Halsall]]
| {{GBR2}}
| 24 July 2014
| [[Glasgow]]
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/commonwealth-games/2014/results/sports/swimming/womens-50m-freestyle|title=BBC Sports - Swimming: Women's 50m Freestyle|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=26 July 2014|access-date=26 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726001603/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/commonwealth-games/2014/results/sports/swimming/womens-50m-freestyle|archive-date=26 July 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| rowspan="4" align=center | 12
| rowspan="4" | 23.97
| [[Libby Trickett]]
| {{AUS}}
| 22 March 2008
| [[Sydney]]
| <ref name=W2008Aus/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Simone Manuel]]
| {{USA}}
| 30 July 2017
| Budapest
| <ref name=W2017WC/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Liu Xiang (swimmer)|Liu Xiang]]
| {{CHN}}
| 26 September 2021
| Xi'an
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2021 Chinese National Games - Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://pdf.2021shaanxi.com/SHAANXI2021/SWM/PDF/SHAANXI2021~2021-09-26~2021-09-26~191420522~DT_PDF~C73A~SWMW50MFR-------------FNL-000100--~~~1.0~P~.pdf|publisher=2021shaanxi.com|date=26 September 2021|accessdate=6 October 2021}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Meg Harris]]
| {{AUS}}
| 4 August 2024
| Paris
| <ref name=W2024OG/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 16
| 23.99
| [[Shayna Jack]]
| {{AUS}}
| 15 June 2024
| [[Brisbane]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://liveresults.swimming.org.au/sal/2024Trials/240610F024.htm|publisher=swimming.org.au|date=15 June 2024|accessdate=16 June 2024}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 17
| 24.00
| [[Abbey Weitzeil]]
| {{USA}}
| 1 July 2023
| [[Indianapolis]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2023 US National Championships - Women's 50m Freestyle Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600030201EB0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=1 July 2023|accessdate=3 July 2023}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 18
| 24.06
| [[Gretchen Walsh]]
| {{USA}}
| 22 June 2024
| Indianapolis
| <ref name=W2024US>{{cite web|title=2024 US Olympic Trials - Women's 50m Freestyle Semifinals Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011800030201EB0102FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=22 June 2024|access-date=24 June 2024}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 19
| 24.07
| [[Dara Torres]]
| {{USA}}
| 17 August 2008
| [[Beijing]]
| <ref>{{cite news|last=Lohn|first=John|title=Olympics, Swimming: Britta Steffen Edges Dara Torres by .01 to Win 50 Free in Olympic Standard|url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/olympics-swimming-britta-steffen-edges-dara-torres-by-01-to-win-50-free-in-olympic-standard/|date=16 August 2008|access-date=19 March 2025|website=Swimming World}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 20
| 24.09
| [[Torri Huske]]
| {{USA}}
| 22 June 2024
| Indianapolis
| <ref name=W2024US/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 21
| 24.11
| [[Aliaksandra Herasimenia]]
| {{BLR}}
| 13 August 2016
| [[Rio de Janeiro]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2016 Olympic Games - Women's 50m Freestyle Results|url=https://smsprio2016-a.akamaihd.net/_odf-documents/S/W/SWW010101_Results_2016_08_13_73b5cab9_2ba2_4e17_b888_402d3f0a41dd.pdf|work=Rio 2016 official website|date=13 August 2016|access-date=14 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814012118/https://smsprio2016-a.akamaihd.net/_odf-documents/S/W/SWW010101_Results_2016_08_13_73b5cab9_2ba2_4e17_b888_402d3f0a41dd.pdf|archive-date=14 August 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 22
| 24.12
| [[Bronte Campbell]]
| {{AUS}}
| 9 August 2015
| Kazan
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00010F020001001402FFFFFFFFFFFF02.pdf|title=16th FINA World Championships - Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results|website=Omegatiming.com|date=9 August 2015|access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 23
| 24.13
| [[Inge de Bruijn]]
| {{NED}}
| 22 September 2000
| [[Sydney]]
| <ref name=W2000OG/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 24
| 24.15
| [[Zhang Yufei (swimmer)|Zhang Yufei]]
| {{CHN}}
| 30 July 2023
| Fukuoka
| <ref name=W2023WC/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 25
| 24.17
| [[Claire Curzan]]
| {{USA}}
| 14 May 2021
| [[Cary, North Carolina|Cary]]
| <ref>{{cite news|title=16-year-old Claire Curzan made waves on the first day of the meet, breaking the World Jr Record in the women's 50 free (24.17)|url=https://swimswam.com/tac-spring-invite-claire-curzan-wjr-lance-norris-wave-ii-cut-highlight-day-1/|work=[[SwimSwam]]|author=Spencer Penland|date=15 May 2021|access-date=16 May 2021}}</ref>
|}

===Women short course===
*Correct as of December 2024<ref>{{cite web|title=Women's 50m Freestyle Short Course All-Time Ranking|url=https://api.worldaquatics.com/fina/rankings/swimming/report/pdf?gender=F&distance=50&stroke=FREESTYLE&poolConfiguration=SCM&year=&startDate=&endDate=&timesMode=ALL_TIMES&regionId=&countryId=&pageSize=200|publisher=World Aquatics|access-date=6 December 2023}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! {{abbr|Ath.#|Athlete rank}}  
! {{abbr|Perf.#|Performance rank}} 
! Time 
! Athlete 
! Nation 
! Date 
! Place 
! class="unsortable" | {{refh}}
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 1
| align=center | 1
| 22.83
| [[Gretchen Walsh]]
| {{USA}}
| 15 December 2024
| [[Budapest]]
| <ref name=W2024WC(25)/>
|-
| align=center |
| align=center | 2
| 22.87
|''Walsh #2''
| 
| 14 December 2024
| Budapest
| <ref name=W2024WC(25)sf/>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 2
| align=center | 3
| 22.93
| [[Ranomi Kromowidjojo]]
| {{NED}}
| 7 August 2017
| [[Berlin]]
| <ref name=W2017Berlin/>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 3
| align=center | 4
| 23.00
| [[Sarah Sjöström]]
| {{SWE}}
| 7 August 2017
| Berlin
| <ref name=W2017Berlin/>
|-
| align=center |
| align=center | 5
| 23.02
|''Walsh #3''
| 
| 14 December 2024
| Budapest
| <ref name=W2024WC(25)h>{{cite web|title=2024 World Aquatics Championships (25 m) - Women's 50m Freestyle Heats Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011800080201EB0101FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=Omega Timing|date=15 December 2024|access-date=15 December 2024}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 4
| align=center | 6
| 23.04
| [[Emma McKeon]]
| {{AUS}}
| 17 December 2022
| [[Melbourne]]
| <ref name=W2022WC(25)>{{cite web|title=2022 FINA World Championships (25m) - Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700030201EB0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=17 December 2022|access-date=21 December 2022}}</ref>
|-
| 
| align=center | 7
| 23.05
| ''Kromowidjojo #2''
| 
| 12 December 2020
| [[Eindhoven]]
| <ref>{{cite news|title=Dutch Women Destroy SCM 200 Free Relay World Record in 1:32.50 (Video)|url=https://swimswam.com/dutch-women-destroy-scm-200-free-relay-world-record-in-132-50-video/|website=swimswam.com|author=James Sutherland|date=12 December 2020|access-date=15 December 2020}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 5
| align=center | 7
| 23.05
| [[Kate Douglass]]
| {{USA}}
| 15 December 2024
| Budapest
| <ref name=W2024WC(25)/>
|-
| rowspan="3" align=center |
| rowspan="2" align=center | 9
| rowspan="2" | 23.08
| ''Sjöström #2''
| rowspan="3" |
| 18 November 2021
| Eindhoven
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2021 International Swimming League (Match 14) - Women's 50m Freestyle Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011500160201EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=18 November 2021|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| ''Sjöström #3''
| 21 December 2021
| [[Abu Dhabi]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=15th FINA World Championships (25m) - Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011800080201EB0101FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=21 December 2021|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 11
| 23.10
| ''Sjöström #4''
| 2 August 2017
| [[Moscow]]
| <ref name=W2017Moscow/>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 6
| align=center | 11
| 23.10
| [[Katarzyna Wasick]]
| {{POL}}
| 3 November 2022
| [[Indianapolis]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2022 FINA World Cup (Indianapolis) - Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011700090201EB0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=3 November 2022|access-date=4 November 2022}}</ref> 
|-
| rowspan="4" |
| align=center | 11
| 23.10
| ''Walsh #4''
| rowspan="4" |
| 18 October 2024
| [[Charlottesville, Virginia|Charlottesville]]
| <ref>{{cite magazine|title=Gretchen Walsh Rips Three SCM American Records Within an Hour at Virginia/Florida Dual Meet|url=https://swimswam.com/gretchen-walsh-rips-three-scm-american-records-within-an-hour-at-virginia-florida-dual-meet/|magazine=[[SwimSwam]]|author=James Sutherland|date=18 October 2024|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" align=center | 14
| rowspan="2" | 23.12
| ''Sjöström #5''
| 2 September 2021
| [[Naples]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2021 International Swimming League (Match 3) - Women's 50m Freestyle Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011500060201EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=2 September 2021|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| ''Sjöström #6''
| 3 November 2021
| [[Kazan]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2021 FINA World Cup (Kazan) - Women's 50m Freestyle Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011500120201EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=3 November 2021|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | 16
| 23.17
| ''Sjöström #7''
| 25 November 2021
| Eindhoven
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2021 International Swimming League (Match 16) - Women's 50m Freestyle Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011500170201EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=25 November 2021|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=f6F5CE
| align=center | 7
| align=center | 17
| 23.19
| [[Cate Campbell]]
| {{AUS}}
| 27 October 2017
| [[Adelaide]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2017 Australian Short Course Championships - Men's 800m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://liveresults.swimming.org.au/SAL/2017SC_013183/171026F031.htm|publisher=swimming.org.au|date=27 October 2017|access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="8" align=center |
| align=center | 17
| 23.19
| ''Kromowidjojo #3''
| rowspan="8" |
| 16 December 2018
| [[Hangzhou]]
| 
|-
| align=center | 19
| 23.20
| ''Douglass #2''
| 14 December 2024
| Budapest
| <ref name=W2024WC(25)h/>
|-
| align=center | 20
| 23.21
| ''Sjöström #8''
| 15 November 2018
| [[Singapore]]
|
|-
| align=center | 21
| 23.22
| ''Sjöström #9''
| 7 August 2017
| Berlin
|
|-
| rowspan="2" align=center | 22
| rowspan="2" | 23.23
| ''Kromowidjojo #4''
| 4 October 2018
| Budapest
|
|-
| ''Wasick #2''
| 31 October 2024
| Singapore
|
|-
| rowspan="2" align=center | 24
| rowspan="2" | 23.24
| ''Kromowidjojo #5''
| 7 August 2013
| Eindhoven
| <ref name=W2013Eindhoven/>
|-
| ''Kromowidjojo #6''
| 12 December 2015
| Indianapolis
| <ref name=W2015Duel/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 8
| rowspan="20" align=center |
| 23.25
| [[Marleen Veldhuis]]
| {{NED}}
| 13 April 2008
| [[Manchester]]
| <ref name=W2008WC/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 9
| 23.27
| [[Therese Alshammar]]
| {{SWE}}
| 21 November 2009
| Singapore
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 10
| 23.32
| [[Hinkelien Schreuder]]
| {{NED}}
| 13 December 2009
| [[Istanbul]]
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 11
| 23.34
| [[Maria Kameneva]]
| {{RUS}}
| 16 December 2022
| [[Saint Petersburg]]
| <ref>{{cite news|title=Kameneva, who set a Russian record at a distance of 50m swimming on her back: "I didn’t know how to assess my form, it turned out that everything was fine"|url=https://athletistic.com/other-sports/153514.html|website=athletistic.com|date=16 December 2022|access-date=21 December 2022}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| rowspan="2" align=center | 12
| rowspan="2" align=left| 23.44
| [[Fran Halsall]]
| {{GBR2}}
| 19 December 2009
| Manchester
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Abbey Weitzeil]]
| {{USA}}
| 18 September 2021
| Naples
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2021 International Swimming League (Match 8) - Women's 50m Freestyle Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/000115000B0201EB04FFFFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|publisher=omegatiming.com|date=18 September 2021|access-date=5 October 2021}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| rowspan="2" align=center | 14
| rowspan="2" align=left| 23.49
| [[Jeanette Ottesen]]
| {{DEN}}
| 12 December 2015
| Indianapolis
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Pernille Blume]]
| {{DEN}}
| 17 December 2017
| [[Copenhagen]]
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 16
| 23.52
| [[Michelle Coleman]]
| {{SWE}}
| 6 December 2023
| Otopeni
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2023 European Championships - Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results|url=https://www.omegatiming.com/File/00011600090201EB0104FFFFFFFFFF01.pdf|work=Omega Timing|date=6 December 2023|access-date=6 December 2023}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 17
| 23.53
| [[Inge Dekker]]
| {{NED}}
| 11 December 2009
| Istanbul
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 18
| 23.61
| [[Mélanie Henique]]
| {{FRA}}
| 10 November 2020
| Budapest
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| align=center | 19
| 23.62
| [[Bronte Campbell]]
| {{AUS}}
| 7 December 2014
| [[Doha]]
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| rowspan="2" align=center | 20
| rowspan="2" align=left| 23.64
| [[Aliaksandra Herasimenia]]
| {{BLR}}
| 16 December 2012
| Istanbul
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Rozaliya Nasretdinova]]
| {{RUS}}
| 17 December 2017
| Kazan
| <ref>{{cite web|title=2017 Russian Championships - Women's 50m Freestyle Semifinals Results|url=http://www.russwimming.ru/upload/live/4R_SC_2017/ResultList_133S.pdf|language=ru|date=21 November 2017|accessdate=21 November 2017}}</ref>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| rowspan="2" align=center | 22
| rowspan="2" align=left| 23.66
| [[Béryl Gastaldello]]
| {{FRA}}
| 15 November 2020
| Budapest
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Eva Okaro]]
| {{GBR2}}
| 15 December 2024
| Budapest
| <ref name=W2024WC(25)/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| rowspan="2" align=center | 24
| rowspan="2" | 23.67
| rowspan="2" | [[Femke Heemskerk]]
| rowspan="2" | {{NED}}
| 4 October 2018
| Budapest
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| 16 December 2018
| Hangzhou
| 
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| rowspan="2" align=center | 25
| rowspan="2" align=left| 23.68
| [[Anna Hopkin]]
| {{GBR2}}
| 17 December 2022
| Melbourne
| <ref name=W2022WC(25)/>
|-
|- bgcolor=CCFFCC
| [[Silvia Di Pietro]]
| {{ITA}}
| 14 December 2024
| Budapest
| <ref name=W2024WC(25)sf/>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*{{cite web |url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/sports/records/results_uk.asp |title=Olympic and World Records |publisher=[[International Olympic Committee|IOC]] |access-date=2008-10-29 }}
* {{in lang|nl}} [http://www.zwemkroniek.com/recordhistorie.php?record=wrh50&afstand=50vrij Zwemkroniek]
* {{in lang|it}} {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20020802085522/http://www.agendadiana.com/home.php Agenda Diana]}}
* [http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/_Rainbow/Documents/527b4147-bae1-4b57-8b10-701e2fad03b9/June%2013%20LCM%20Men.pdf USA Swimming]{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

{{World records in swimming}}

[[Category:World record progressions in swimming|Freestyle 0050 metres]]
[[Category:Freestyle swimming|World record progression 0050 metres freestyle]]