Execution by firing squad is a method of capital punishment, particularly common in times of war. The firing squad is generally composed of several soldiers or peace officers. The method of execution requires all members of the group to fire simultaneously, thus preventing both disruption of the process by a single member and identification of the member who fired the lethal shot. The condemned is typically blindfolded or hooded, as well as restrained - though in some cases condemned prisoners had asked to be allowed to face the firing squad with their eyes open. Executions can be carried out with the condemned either standing or sitting.

Execution by firing squad is distinct from other forms of execution by firearms, such as a single shot from a handgun to the back of the neck. However, the single shot (coup de grâce) is sometimes incorporated in a firing squad execution, particularly if the initial volley turns out not to be immediately fatal.

The firing squad is commonly used to execute spies; the renowned World War I spy Mata Hari was executed in this manner. It is often considered a particularly honorable method of execution, and as such is intentionally not used for war criminals, who are often hanged — a penalty associated with common criminals. (In earlier periods, a similar distinction existed with regard to beheading, which was also considered more respectable than hanging). Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein had asked to be executed by firing squad, a request denied by his judges who determined that he be hanged. In contrast, firing squads were used by some countries to execute war criminals after World War II, most notably by Poland, the Soviet Union, Denmark and Norway.

The method is also the supreme punishment or disciplinary means employed by courts martial for crimes such as cowardice, desertion or mutiny. One such execution was that of Private Eddie Slovik by the U.S. Army in 1945. Slovik was the only U.S. soldier executed for desertion since the American Civil War. It has also been applied for violent crimes carried out by soldiers, such as murder or rape. Also notably, Jean-Marie Bastien-Thiry was executed by firing squad for his participation in the assassination attempt on President Charles de Gaulle.

Firing squads have also been used for political crimes. Romanian Communist leader Nicolae Ceauşescu (25 December, 1989) is an example of this.

There is a tradition in some jurisdictions that such executions are carried out at first light, or (more dramatically) at sunrise (which is usually up to half an hour later). This gives rise to the phrase 'shot at dawn'. This phrase has become particularly associated with the campaign (see below) to achieve a pardon for British servicemen shot for apparent cowardice in World War 1.