Naomi Osaka defeated Daria Kasatkina in the final, 6–3, 6–2 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2018 Indian Wells Masters.

This was the first time two players under 21 had contested the final since Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams in 2001.

[1] Elena Vesnina was the defending champion, but lost in the third round to Angelique Kerber.

Halep retained the top ranking after Wozniacki lost in the fourth round.

1 players Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams played in the same tournament for the first time since the 2016 Australian Open.