The women's coxed four competition at the 1988 Summer Olympics took place at took place at Han River Regatta Course, South Korea.

[1] The competition consisted of two main rounds (heats and finals) as well as a repechage.

The winner of each heat (2 boats total) advanced directly to the "A" final (for 1st through 6th place).

The remaining 8 boats were placed in the repechage.

The remaining 4 boats (3rd and 4th placers in the repechage heats) were eliminated from medal contention and competed in the "B" final for 7th through 10th place.