The men's coxed four competition at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin took place are at Grünau on the Langer See.

Switzerland, a perennial contender that had missed the 1932 Games in Los Angeles, competed once again.

Belgium, France, Germany, and the United States each made their fifth appearance, tied for most among nations to that point.

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

[3] Despite the field growing from 7 boats in 1932 to 16 in 1936, the tournament continued to use a three-round format: semifinals, repechage, final.