The top 10 of the 2013–14 ISU Speed Skating World Cup – Women's 3000 and 5000 metres standings after the fourth World Cup race in Berlin secured a spot for their country.

Then the additional six spots were awarded based on a time ranking of the World Cup 5000 metres race in Astana.

[2] By virtue of Ivanie Blondin's top eight classification at the 2013 World Single Distance Speed Skating Championships – Women's 5000 metres in the pre-olympic season, Canada was given a wildcard at the expense of number 16 Mari Hemmer (who would have secured Norway a second spot).

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

At the 2013 World Single Distance Speed Skating Championships the track record was set by Martina Sáblíková at 6:54.31.