| Champ: |  Victoria Azarenka |
| Runner: |  Serena Williams |
| Score: | 6–4, 6–4 |
| Draw: | 96 |
| Seeds: | 32 |
| Main Name: | Indian Wells Open |
| Before Name: | BNP Paribas Open – Women's singles |
| After Name: | BNP Paribas Open – Women's singles |
See main article: 2016 BNP Paribas Open.
Victoria Azarenka defeated Serena Williams in the final, 6–4, 6–4 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2016 Indian Wells Masters. It was her second Indian Wells title.
Simona Halep was the defending champion, but lost in the quarterfinals to Serena Williams.
This edition of the tournament marked Venus Williams' return to the tournament for the first time since 2001; she had boycotted the event in protest of racist remarks surrounding her withdrawal from the 2001 semifinal against Serena.[1]
All seeds received a bye into the second round.