| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 14 March – 9 April 1938 |
| Venue | Thurston's Hall |
| City | London |
| Country | England |
| Organisation | BACC |
| Highest break |  Joe Davis (ENG) (104) |
| Final | |
| Champion | Joe Davis (ENG) |
| Runner-up | Sidney Smith (ENG) |
| Score | 37–24 |
← 1937 1939 → | |
The 1938 World Snooker Championship was a snooker tournament held from 14 March to 9 April 1938 at Thurston's Hall in London, England. It was the twelfth edition of the World Snooker Championship. Joe Davis won his twelfth championship title by defeating Sidney Smith by 37 frames to 24 in the final, after securing a winning margin at 31–23. The highest break of the tournament was 104, compiled by Davis in the sixth frame of his semi-final match against Willie Smith. It was the only century break during the event.
There were ten entrants to the competition, three of whom took part in a qualification event from which Fred Davis emerged to join the other seven players in the main draw. Horace Lindrum, the runner-up in 1936 and 1937 did not participate, due to his disagreement with Billiards Association and Control Council the over the competition terms, including about the type of cloth that would be used on the playing tables.