The world record progression 500 m speed skating women as recognised by the International Skating Union:
| Name | Result | Date | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:02.0 | 15 February 1931 | Warsaw | ||
| 58.7 | 9 January 1932 | Davos | ||
| 56.0 | 20 March 1932 | Brandbu | ||
| 51.5 | 20 January 1933 | Davos | ||
| 51.3 | 13 January 1934 | Davos | ||
| 50.3 | 12 February 1934 | Oslo | ||
| 49.3 | 27 February 1935 | Oslo | ||
| 46.4 | 30 January 1937 | Davos | ||
| 45.6 | 11 January 1955 | Medeo | ||
| 44.9 | 27 January 1962 | Medeo | ||
| 44.7 | 3 February 1968 | Davos | ||
| 44.6 | 4 February 1969 | Davos | ||
| 43.29 | 9 January 1970 | Medeo | ||
| 43.22 | 17 January 1970 | Medeo | ||
| 42.91 | 20 February 1971 | Inzell | ||
| 42.75 | 21 February 1971 | Inzell | ||
| 42.5 | 7 January 1972 | Davos | ||
| 41.8 | 19 January 1973 | Davos | ||
| 41.70 | 11 March 1975 | Medeo | ||
| 41.69 | 21 March 1975 | Medeo | ||
| 41.06 | 29 March 1975 | Medeo | ||
| 40.91 | 31 January 1976 | Davos | ||
| 40.68 | 13 March 1976 | Inzell | ||
| 40.28 | 27 March 1981 | Medeo | ||
| 40.18 | 28 March 1981 | Medeo | ||
| 39.69 | 25 March 1983 | Medeo | ||
| 39.52 | 21 March 1986 | Medeo | ||
| 39.43 | 19 March 1987 | Heerenveen | ||
| 39.39 | 6 December 1987 | Calgary | ||
| 39.10 | 22 February 1988 | Calgary | ||
| 38.99 | 26 March 1994 | Calgary | ||
| 38.69 | 2 February 1995 | Calgary | ||
| 37.90 | 22 November 1997 | Calgary | ||
| 37.90 | 23 November 1997 | Calgary | ||
| 37.71 | 28 December 1997 | Calgary | ||
| 37.55 | 29 December 1997 | Calgary | ||
| 37.40 | 6 January 2001 | Calgary | ||
| 37.29 | 9 March 2001 | Salt Lake City | ||
| 37.29 | 8 December 2001 | Calgary | ||
| 37.22 | 9 December 2001 | Calgary | ||
| 37.04 | 10 March 2007 | Salt Lake City | ||
| 37.02 | 16 November 2007 | Calgary | ||
| 37.00 | 11 December 2009 | Salt Lake City | ||
| 36.94 | 29 January 2012 | Calgary | ||
| 36.80 | 20 January 2013 | Calgary | ||
| 36.74 | 9 November 2013 | Calgary | ||
| 36.57 | 15 November 2013 | Salt Lake City | ||
| 36.36 | 16 November 2013 | Salt Lake City |