Newcastle United won the competition for the sixth time, beating Manchester City 3–1 in the final at Wembley.
Matches were scheduled to be played at the stadium of the team named first on the date specified for each round, which was always a Saturday.
If scores were level after 90 minutes had been played, a replay would take place at the stadium of the second-named team later the same week.
However, Tunbridge Wells United was featuring at this stage for the first time in their own right after predecessor outfit Tunbridge Wells Rangers had last qualified for the main draw in 1938–39 and Hyde United was appearing here for the first time since their record-setting 26-0 loss to Preston North End in 1887-88.
The final two non-league sides in the draw, Crook Town and Bishop Auckland, were given byes to this round as the champions and runners-up from the previous season's FA Amateur Cup.
The 1955 FA Cup Final was contested by Newcastle United and Manchester City at Wembley.
Newcastle won 3–1, with goals from Jackie Milburn in the first minute (after 45 seconds, setting a new record in a final at Wembley, which was held until 1997), Bobby Mitchell and George Hannah.