These are the official results of the men's 800 metres event at the 1983 IAAF World Championships in Helsinki, Finland.

There were a total of 60 participating athletes, with eight qualifying heats, three semi-finals and the final held on 9 August 1983.

Coming off the turn, Elliott accelerated and ran past Cruz to take the lead at the bell in 50.58.

Off the final turn, Cruz accelerated again to pull away from Elliott but Wülbeck went around the outside to sprint past both of them, unleaded to victory.

Druppers came off the final turn several metres back, passed a fading Ferner and began sprinting, picking off Elliott and then Cruz just before the finish line.