2011 BWF World Championships – Women's singles

The women's singles tournament of the 2011 BWF World Championships (World Badminton Championships) was held from August 8 to 14. Wang Lin was the defending champion.

Wang Yihan won the final against Cheng Shao-Chieh 21–15, 21–10.

Seeds

 * 1) 🇨🇳 Wang Shixian (quarterfinals)
 * 2) 🇨🇳 Wang Yihan (champion)
 * 3) 🇨🇳 Wang Xin (semifinals)
 * 4) 🇨🇳 Jiang Yanjiao (third round)
 * 5)  Tine Baun (quarterfinals)
 * 6) 🇮🇳 Saina Nehwal (quarterfinals)
 * 7)  Cheng Shao-Chieh (final)
 * 8) 🇰🇷 Bae Youn-joo (second round)
 * 9) 🇩🇪 Juliane Schenk (semifinals)
 * 10) 🇹🇭 Porntip Buranaprasertsuk (third round)
 * 11) 🇹🇭 Ratchanok Intanon (third round)
 * 12) 🇧🇬 Petya Nedelcheva (third round)
 * 13) 🇰🇷 Sung Ji-hyun (third round)
 * 14) 🇭🇰 Yip Pui Yin (third round, retired)
 * 15) 🇯🇵 Eriko Hirose (second round)
 * 16) 🇯🇵 Sayaka Sato (third round)