These are the official results of the women's 800 metres event at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

There were a total of 37 competitors from 31 countries.

[1] These were the standing world and Olympic records (in minutes) prior to the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Qualification: First 2 in each heat (Q) and the next 6 fastest (q) qualified to the semifinals.

Qualification: First 4 in each heat (Q) qualified directly to the final.