The men's 100 metre freestyle event at the 1956 Olympic Games took place between 29 and 30 November.

[2] Two of the eight finalists from the 1952 Games returned: silver medalist Hiroshi Suzuki of Japan and seventh-place finisher Aldo Eminente of France.

The favorite in 1956 was Jon Henricks of Australia, a converted distance swimmer who had begun racing sprints in 1953.

The United States made its 12th appearance, having competed at each edition of the event to date.

In the first semifinal, Jon Henricks broke Patterson's new record with a 55.7 second time.

Five heats were held; the fastest sixteen swimmers advanced to the semifinal round.