The qualification for the 2016 Women's Olympic volleyball tournament was held from 22 August 2015 to 22 May 2016.
Twelve teams qualified, the hosts, the FIVB World Cup champion and runner-up, five continental Olympic qualification tournament champions, and four teams from the World Olympic qualification tournament respectively.
FIVB reserved a vacancy for the Olympics host country to participate in the tournament.
The winners and runners-up from 2015 FIVB Volleyball World Cup qualified for the Olympics.
The top ranked among the four teams qualified as Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament winners.