The men's coxed four competition at the 1960 Summer Olympics took place at Lake Albano, Italy.

In an event which saw constant turnover even from consistently strong nations, three members of the Italian team returned from the 1956 gold-medal crew to earn a second medal this Games: Romano Sgheiz, Ivo Stefanoni, and Franco Trincavelli were only the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th men to earn multiple medals in the coxed four.

Italy, the reigning champions and 1960 Olympic hosts, returned three members of their crew but had not found success since their victory in Melbourne.

The United States made its ninth appearance, most among nations to that point.

The coxed four event featured five-person boats, with four rowers and a coxswain.