The format of the competition depends on how many boats are competing.
In events with 10 boats, the competition starts with two heats. The winner of each heat goes straight into the final, with the rest going forward to one semi-final. The best six boats from the semi-final progress to the final.
Events with 11 to 16 boats start with two heats.
If there are 11 to 12 boats competing, the winning boat from each heat progresses straight to the A final, with the other boats going forward to the semi-finals. The top three boats from each semi-final progress to the A final, while the others advance to the B final (which ranks boats from nine through to 16).
If there are 13 to 14 boats competing, the first five boats in each heat progress to two semi-finals, while the other boats go to the B final. The top four boats from each semi-final progress to the A final, while the others progress to the B final.
If there are 15 to 16 boats competing, the first six boats in each heat progress to two semi-finals, while the other boats go to the B final. The top four boats from each semi-final progress to the A final, while the others progress to the B final.
Events with 17 to 24 boats start with three heats. The first five boats in each heat plus the boat with the best sixth-placed time progress to two semi-finals, while the other boats are out of the competition. The top four boats from each semi-final progress to the A final, while the others progress to the B final.
Find out more about Canoe Sprint at the Olympic Games on the International Olympic Committee website.
