The men's eight competition at the 1948 Summer Olympics took place at Henley-on-Thames, near London.

[2] The event was won by the United States, the nation's sixth consecutive and eighth overall gold medal in the men's eight; the Americans had won every time they competed (missing 1908 and 1912).

[2] The United States was the dominant nation in the event, with the nation winning the previous five Olympic men's eight competitions (as well as the other two competitions which the United States had entered).

Italy, the two-time reigning silver medalists, had won the 1947 European Rowing Championships.

Canada, Great Britain, and the United States each made their eighth appearance, tied for most among nations to that point.