The women's individual pursuit at the 2008 Summer Olympics took place on August 17 at the Laoshan Velodrome.

The first round of this track cycling event consisted of head-to-head races over a 3000 m distance, but with the results being treated as time trial results rather than elimination rounds.

The eight riders with the fastest recorded times progressed to the match rounds.

In the semifinals, the winner of each match advanced to race for a medal; the two fastest raced for gold and silver, while the two slower winners faced each other for the bronze.

All times are China standard time (UTC+8) [2] Qualification rule: Two fastest cyclists advance to the gold medal match (Q), while the next two to the bronze medal match (q).