The men's 1500 metres event was part of the track and field athletics programme at the 1920 Summer Olympics.

[1] No nation had more than 4 runners, suggesting the limit had been reduced from the 12 maximum in force in 1908 and 1912.

[2] Czechoslovakia, Estonia, Japan, and Spain each made their first appearance in the event.

The United States made its sixth appearance, the only nation to have competed in the men's 1500 metres at each Games to that point.

With a smaller field, the focus shifted to fewer semifinals with more qualifiers from each.