轻骑兵（英语：Light cavalry）是骑马的轻装部队，与穿着沉重铠甲（有时包括马）重骑兵相对，轻骑兵的主要任务基本上是侦查、掩护、散兵、突袭，并且他们装备矛、剑、弓和之后出现的手枪。

古希腊和古罗马，较少运用轻骑兵，尽管罗马辅助部队经常骑马，但是中亚游牧民族却经常使用轻骑兵。而匈奴、突厥、蒙古人和马扎尔人都很擅长轻骑兵和弓骑兵。

随着欧洲封建制度及骑士的没落，在欧洲大陆中，轻骑兵成为重要的作战部队。许多轻骑兵都装备了火器以替代老式的弓箭。 欧洲人使用轻骑兵的例子还包括斯抓迪亚特、哈伯勒、骠骑兵、chasseurs à cheval、哥萨克、chevau-légers及一些龙骑兵。

Light cavalry often called Light Horse comprises lightly armed and lightly armoured troops mounted on horses, as opposed to heavy cavalry, where the riders (and sometimes the horses) are heavily armored. The missions of the light cavalry were primarily reconnaissance, screening, skirmishing, raiding, and most importantly, communications, and were usually armed with spears, swords, bows and later carbines.