The men's 100 metre freestyle event at the 1952 Summer Olympics took place between 26 and 27 July at the Helsinki Swimming Stadium.

Japan, absent from the 1948 Games after World War II, returned to the podium in the event with Hiroshi Suzuki's silver.

[4] Two of the eight finalists from the 1948 Games returned: bronze medalist Géza Kádas of Hungary and fifth-place finisher (and European champion) Alex Jany of France.

[2] Ceylon, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Israel, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, the Soviet Union, Venezuela, and Vietnam each made their debut in the event.

The United States made its 11th appearance, having competed at each edition of the event to date.