The 4th Battle Squadron was initially part of the Royal Navy's Home Fleet (1912–14) and then the Grand Fleet after the outbreak of the First World War.

The squadron changed composition often as ships were damaged, retired or transferred.

On 5 August 1914, the squadron was constituted as follows:[2] By January 1915, the composition had changed slightly:[2] As an element in the Grand Fleet, the squadron participated in the Battle of Jutland.

HMS Dreadnought rejoined the squadron as flagship in March 1918.

The squadron was dispersed in February 1919, appears to have been formally dissolved in March 1919, but then reformed.