The men's 50 metre butterfly competition of the swimming events at the 2012 European Aquatics Championships took place May 21 and 22.

The heats and semifinals took place on May 21, the final on May 22.

[1] Prior to the competition, the existing world, European and championship records were as follows.

[2] The eight fastest swimmers advanced to the final.

[3] The race determined the last participant for the final.