The men's 200 metre butterfly event at the 1960 Olympic Games took place on 31 August and 2 September in Rome, Italy. This swimming event used the butterfly stroke. This race consisted of four lengths of the Stadio Olympico del Nuoto, a 50m Olympic size swimming pool.
Five heats were held; the fastest sixteen swimmers advanced to the Semifinals. Because there was a tie for sixteenth place, a swim-off was held to determine the sixteenth swimmer to advance.
Key
Two heats were held; the fastest eight swimmers advanced to the Finals. Those that advanced are highlighted.
Key: WR = World record