Women's 3000 metres world record progression
The following table shows the world record progression in the Women's 3,000 metres. The first record officially recognised by the IAAF was set on 6 July 1974 by Lyudmila Bragina from the Soviet Union.
As of June 21, 2009, the IAAF has ratified nine world records in the event.
Pre-IAAF, to 1974
IAAF era, from 1974
| Time | Athlete | Date | Place |
| 8:52.8* | 1974-07-06 | Durham, United States | |
| 8:46.6 | 1975-06-24 | Oslo, Norway | |
| 8:45.4 | 1976-06-21 | Oslo, Norway | |
| 8:27.2* | 1976-08-07 | College Park, United States | |
| 8:26.78 | 1982-07-25 | Kiev, Soviet Union | |
| 8:22.62 | 1984-08-26 | Leningrad, Soviet Union | |
| 8:22.06 | 1993-09-12 | Beijing, PR China | |
| 8:12.19 | 1993-09-12 | Beijing, PR China | |
| 8:06.11 | 1993-09-13 | Beijing, PR China |