The Women's 200 metres competition at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec, Canada was held at the Olympic Stadium on 26–28 July.

The Women's 200m competition consisted of heats (Round 1), Quarterfinals, Semifinals and a Final.

The four fastest competitors from each of the Quarterfinal races qualified for the Semifinals, where again the four fastest runners from each heat advanced to the final.

Prior to the competition, the existing World and Olympic records were as follows.

rule: first 5 of each heat (Q) plus the two fastest times (q) qualified.