The women's 100 metre backstroke event at the 1956 Olympic Games took place December 5. This swimming event used backstroke. 23 swimmers from 14 countries competed in this swimming event. Because an Olympic-size swimming pool is 50 metres long, this race consisted of two lengths of the pool.
Eight fastest swimmers advanced to the finals.
Heat 1
Heat 2
Heat 3
Key: WR = World record