The women's 100 metre freestyle competition of the swimming events at the 2011 World Aquatics Championships was held in July 2011; the heats and the semifinals were held on 28 July and the final on 29 July.

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

77 swimmers participated in 10 heats.

[1] The semifinals were held at 18:02.

[2] The final was held at 18:02.