The men's 400 metre freestyle was a swimming event held as part of the swimming at the 1936 Summer Olympics programme.
The competition was held from Monday to Wednesday, 10 to 12 August 1936.
Thirty-four swimmers from 16 nations competed.
In the fifth heat Shunpei Uto set a new Olympic record with 4:45.5 minutes.
In the final Jack Medica bettered the Olympic record with 4:44.5 minutes.