对称密钥加密（英语：Symmetric-key algorithm）又称为对称加密、私钥加密、共享密钥加密，是密码学中的一类加密算法。这类算法在加密和解密时使用相同的密钥，或是使用两个可以简单地相互推算的密钥。实务上，这组密钥成为在两个或多个成员间的共同秘密，以便维持专属的通信联系。与公开密钥加密相比，要求双方取得相同的密钥是对称密钥加密的主要缺点之一。

常见的对称加密算法有DES、3DES、AES、Blowfish、IDEA、RC5、RC6。

对称加密的速度比公钥加密快很多，在很多场合都需要对称加密。

Symmetric-key algorithms are algorithms for cryptography that use the same cryptographic keys for both encryption of plaintext and decryption of ciphertext. The keys may be identical or there may be a simple transformation to go between the two keys. The keys, in practice, represent a shared secret between two or more parties that can be used to maintain a private information link. This requirement that both parties have access to the secret key is one of the main drawbacks of symmetric key encryption, in comparison to public-key encryption (also known as asymmetric key encryption).