Each dive was assigned a degree of difficulty based on somersaults, position, twists, approach, and entry.

There was no limit to the degree of difficulty of dives; the most difficult dives calculated in the FINA rulebook (reverse 4 1⁄2 somersault in pike position and back 4 1⁄2 somersault in pike position) are 4.7, but competitors could attempt more difficult dives.

For each dive, each judge gave a score between 0 and 10 with 0.5 point increments.

All times are Central European Time (UTC+1) The qualification spots for the Men's 3 metre springboard diving event were attributed as follows:[2]

25 divers entered the event, representing 15 nations.