甘油醛是一个丙糖，化学式为C₃H₆O₃，是最简单的醛糖。它是有甜味的无色晶体，作为糖类代谢的中间产物，同时也在D-/L-标记中作为标准物。

甘油醛与二羟基丙酮都可通过甘油的温和氧化制备。氧化剂可以是过氧化氢，用二价铁盐催化。L-山梨糖氧化断裂可得到L-甘油醛。D-果糖氧化断裂可得D-甘油醛。

Glyceraldehyde (glyceral) is a triose monosaccharide with chemical formula C₃H₆O₃. It is the simplest of all common aldoses. It is a sweet, colorless, crystalline solid that is an intermediate compound in carbohydrate metabolism. The word comes from combining glycerol and aldehyde, as glyceraldehyde is glycerol with one hydroxymethyl group oxidized to an aldehyde.