N.B. The first 2 of each heat (Q) plus the 2 fastest times (q) qualified.
Heat 1
01 September 2011 – 19:25
Wind: -0.7 m/s
| Position | Lane | Bib | Athlete | Country | Mark | React |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 953 | Carmelita Jeter |  USA |
22.47 Q | 0.216 |
| 2 | 4 | 522 | Sherone Simpson |  JAM |
22.88 Q | 0.183 |
| 3 | 3 | 897 | Mariya Ryemyen |  UKR |
22.94 | 0.200 |
| 4 | 7 | 178 | Ana Claudia Silva |  BRA |
22.97 | 0.172 |
| 5 | 5 | 376 | Myriam Soumaré |  FRA |
23.02 | 0.147 |
| 6 | 8 | 133 | Nivea Smith |  BAH |
23.06 | 0.206 |
| 7 | 2 | 278 | Nelkis Casabona |  CUB |
23.32 | 0.141 |
| 8 | 1 | 538 | Chisato Fukushima |  JPN |
23.52 | 0.134 |
Heat 2
01 September 2011 – 19:33
Wind: -0.1 m/s
| Position | Lane | Bib | Athlete | Country | Mark | React | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 976 | Shalonda Solomon | USA |
22.46 Q | 0.159 | |
| 2 | 3 | 526 | Kerron Stewart | JAM |
22.77 Q | 0.223 | |
| 3 | 8 | 903 | Hrystyna Stuy | UKR |
22.79 q | (PB) | 0.202 |
| 4 | 5 | 132 | Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie | BAH |
22.85 q | 0.166 | |
| 5 | 4 | 670 | Dafne Schippers |  NED |
22.92 | 0.168 | |
| 6 | 7 | 783 | Elizabeta Savlinis |  RUS |
23.04 | 0.170 | |
| 7 | 2 | 400 | Anyika Onuora |  GBR |
23.08 | 0.156 | |
| 8 | 1 | 491 | Allison Peter |  ISV |
23.56 | 0.261 |
Heat 3
01 September 2011 – 19:41
Wind: -1.8 m/s
| Position | Lane | Bib | Athlete | Country | Mark | React | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 511 | Veronica Campbell-Brown | JAM |
22.53 Q | 0.221 | |
| 2 | 6 | 935 | Allyson Felix | USA |
22.67 Q | 0.172 | |
| 3 | 5 | 189 | Ivet Lalova |  BUL |
23.03 | 0.154 | |
| 4 | 7 | 851 | Kai Selvon |  TRI |
23.11 | 0.210 | |
| 5 | 3 | 757 | Yulia Gushchina | RUS |
23.26 | 0.160 | |
| 6 | 8 | 457 | Janelle Redhead |  GRN |
23.57 | 0.215 | |
| 7 | 2 | 134 | Anthonique Strachan | BAH |
23.85 | 0.155 | |
| 1 | 875 | Elyzaveta Bryzgina | UKR |
DNF | 0.249 |
