The event was won by Valeriy Brumel of the Soviet Union, the nation's second consecutive victory in the men's high jump.

John Rambo, also of the United States, won bronze to complete the podium.

The returning finalists from the 1960 Games were gold medalist Robert Shavlakadze and silver medalist Valery Brumel of the Soviet Union, bronze medalist John Thomas of the United States, fifth-place finisher Stig Pettersson and seventh-place finisher Kjell-Åke Nilsson of Sweden, twelfth-place finisher Mahamat Idriss of France (now of independent Chad), and sixteenth-place finisher Gordon Miller of Great Britain.

[2] Bulgaria, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Peru, Spain, and Thailand each made their debut in the event.

The United States appeared for the 15th time, having competed at each edition of the Olympic men's high jump to that point.