元帅是一个军衔等级，处于军衔体系中的最高等次。

部分国家设置元帅一职，通常只设一级：如英国、法国；美国的五星上将也可视为元帅；个别国家设有两级（如中华人民共和国1955年军衔曾设中华人民共和国大元帅（设而未授）和中华人民共和国元帅，纳粹德国设帝国元帅和军种元帅）、三级（朝鲜民主主义人民共和国设有大元帅、元帅和次帅）甚至四级（前苏联设有苏联大元帅、苏联元帅／苏联海军元帅、兵种主帅和兵种元帅／大将）。

英文里，陆军以及衍生出来的军种的元帅称为Field Marshal或Marshal，英国海军元帅称为Admiral of the Fleet，英国空军元帅则称为Marshal of the Royal Air Force。

Marshal (also spelled marshall) is a term used in several official titles in various branches of society. As marshals became trusted members of the courts of Medieval Europe, the title grew in reputation. During the last few centuries, it has been used for elevated offices, such as in military rank and civilian law enforcement.