The 1996–97 Stanford Cardinal women's basketball team represented Stanford University as members of the Pacific-10 Conference during the 1996–97 NCAA Division I women's basketball season.

The Cardinal were led by head coach Tara VanDerveer and played their home games at Maples Pavilion.

They won the Pac-10 Championship (18–0) and reached the Final Four for the sixth time in eight seasons.

The Cardinal finished the season with a record of 34–2 with both losses coming to National runner-up Old Dominion.

This season capped a 3-year run with each season ending at the Final Four, and with an overall record of 93–8 and a 53–1 record in Pac-10 games.