The women's canoe sprint K-1 500 metres at the 2012 Olympic Games in London took place between 7 and 9 August at Eton Dorney.

[1] Danuta Kozák from Hungary won the gold medal.

Inna Osypenko from Ukraine won silver and South Africa's Bridgette Hartley took bronze.

The first two canoeists in each semi-final and the two fastest third placed boats qualified for the 'A' final.

The fourth and fifth ranked canoeists in each semi-final and the two fastest sixth placed boats qualified for the 'B' final.