The current OUTDOOR world record is 20' 1 3/4" was set by Sergey Bubka in 1991 and has held ever since. If broken, it will again be slightly higher than 20' and nothing lower. Beginning in 1984, Sergey Bubka won six consecutive IAAF World Championships, an Olympic gold medal and broke the world record for men's pole vault 35 times. (17 outdoor and 18 indoor records.) Sergey has, also, beaten his own record 14 times. He was the first pole vaulter to clear 6.0 meters (19' 8 1/4") and 6.14 meters (20' 1 3/4") which is the current world record.

The pole vault record is the most frequently broken world mark in men’s track and field history. As of 2014 the IAAF has ratified 71 world records in the event, although they were set by just 33 different vaulters.

The current INDOOR world record is held by a French pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie with a leap of 6.16 meters (20' 2 1/2") set 2/15/2014.