The men's C-1 500 metres competition at the 2021 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Copenhagen took place on Lake Bagsværd.

[1] The schedule was as follows:[2] All times are Central European Summer Time (UTC+2) The fastest three boats in each heat advanced directly to the final.

The next four fastest boats in each heat, plus the fastest remaining boat advanced to the semifinal.

[3][4] The fastest three boats advanced to the final.

[5] Competitors in this final raced for positions 1 to 9, with medals going to the top four as two boats were tied for third place.