List of World Orienteering Championships medalists (women)

This is a list of medalists from the World Orienteering Championships in women's orienteering.

Individual/Classic/Long
This event was called "Individual" from 1966 to 1989 and "Classic distance" from 1991 to 2001. Since 2003 it is called "Long distance".

Short/Middle
This event was first held in 1991. The format was changed and renamed "Middle Distance" in 2003 with the introduction of the Sprint discipline.

Sprint
This event was first held in 2001.

Knock-out Sprint
This event was first held in 2022.

Medal table
Women's orienteering. Does not include mixed events. Updated following the 2024 World Orienteering Championships.

Multiple medalists
Updated following the 2024 World Orienteering Championships.

Best performers by country
Including mixed events. Updated to following the 2024 World Orienteering Championships

An asterisk (*) marks athletes who are the only representatives of their respective countries to win a medal.