The 1988 World Figure Skating Championships were held in Budapest, Hungary from March 22 to 27.

Medals were awarded in men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.

Kurt Browning of Canada landed the first ratified quadruple jump (a toe loop) in his free skating.

[1] Jozef Sabovcik of Czechoslovakia had landed a quad toe loop at the 1986 European Championships which was recognized at the event but then ruled invalid three weeks later due to a touchdown with his free foot.

[2]