This is a history of the progression of the World Record for the Swimming event: the 200 Freestyle. It is a listing of the fastest-time-ever swum in the event, in both long course (50m) and short course (25m) swimming pool. These records are maintained/recognized by FINA, which oversees international competitive swimming and Aquatics.
The drop in world record times in the 2008–2009 coincided with the introduction of polyurethane suits from Speedo (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. FINA also release a list of approved suits.
The long course records are historically older than the short course records; the latter having only been recognized since the early 1990s.
Men
Long course
Short course
Women
Long course
Short course
All-time top 25
Men long course
Correct as of September 2023
Notes
Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:44.95: Paul Biedermann also swam 1:42.81 (2009), 1:43.65 (2009), 1:44.02 (2009), 1:44.71 (2009), 1:44.88 (2009, 2011). David Popovici also swam 1:43.21 (2022), 1:44.40 (2022), 1:44.68 (2021), 1:44.70 (2023), 1:44.90 (2023), 1:44.91 (2022). Michael Phelps also swam 1:43.22 (2009), 1:43.31 (2008), 1:43.86 (2007), 1:44.10 (2008), 1:44.23 (2009), 1:44.49 (2009), 1:44.79 (2011). Yannick Agnel also swam 1:44.20 (2013), 1:44.42 (2012). Tom Dean also swam 1:44.32 (2023), 1:44.58 (2021), 1:44.93 (2023). Hwang Sun-woo also swam 1:44.42 (2023), 1:44.47 (2022), 1:44.61 (2023), 1:44.62 (2021), 1:44.67 (2022). Duncan Scott also swam 1:44.47 (2021), 1:44.60 (2021), 1:44.91 (2019). Sun Yang also swam 1:44.47 (2013), 1:44.63 (2016), 1:44.65 (2016), 1:44.82 (2016), 1:44.91 (2017), 1:44.93 (2012, 2019). Ian Thorpe also swam 1:44.69 (2001), 1:44.71 (2002, 2004), 1:44.75 (2002). Matt Richards also swam 1:44.83 (2023). Park Tae-hwan also swam 1:44.85 (2008), 1:44.92 (2011), 1:44.93 (2012). Danila Izotov also swam 1:44.87 (2013).
Men short course
Correct as of December 2022
Notes
Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:41.32: Paul Biedermann also swam 1:39.81 (2009), 1:40.83 (2008). Duncan Scott also swam 1:40.76 (2020), 1:40.92 (2019). Danila Izotov also swam 1:40.87 (2009). Matthew Sates also swam 1:40.88 (2022), 1:41.33 (2021). Danas Rapsys also swam 1:40.95 (2018), 1:41.12 (2019), 1:41.17 (2021), 1:41.23 (2020). Kyle Chalmers also swam 1:40.98 (2022), 1:41.09 (2022). Tom Dean also swam 1:40.98 (2022). Hwang Sun-woo also swam 1:40.99 (2022), 1:41.17 (2021). Ryan Lochte also swam 1:41.17 (2012). Yannick Agnel also swam 1:41.26 (2013).