Gefreiter ([ɡəˈfraɪ̯tɐ], abbr. Gefr.; plural Gefreite) is a military rank used in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria since the 16th century. It is typically the second rank or grade to which an enlisted soldier, airman, or sailor can be promoted.

The word has also been lent into the Russian language as yefreytor (Russian: ефрейтор) and is in use in several Russian and post-Soviet militaries.

Historically, the military rank of Gefreiter (female and plural form: Gefreite) emerged in 16th-century Europe for the German Landsknechte foot soldiers. These soldiers were predominantly composed of German and Swiss mercenary pikemen and supporting infantry foot soldiers. Soldiers who proved especially reliable and experienced were appointed to gefreyten Knechten (exempted/freed servants/soldiers, a cognate to 'knight'). They were positioned in critical battlefield roles and, along with their extra rank privileges, they were generally exempted from sentry duties.

From the 18th century, Gefreite were the frontline members of a military company, with every Gefreiter leading and commanding a section or squad of Gemeine (ordinary-rank soldiers). The rank existed in the cavalry, infantry, pioneers, and artillery, where Gefreiter rank held a higher rank-class status.

Gefreiter was the only enlisted rank within the Royal Prussian Army and the imperial army of the German Empire until 1918, to which an exceptional enlisted soldier could be promoted on the recommendation of the Hauptmann (Captain) or Rittmeister (Cavalry-Master), and ultimately endorsed by the Regiments-Commandeur (Regimental Colonel). An exception to this was the rank of Obergefreiter (since 1859) in the foot artillery, which later replaced the artillery Bombardier (Corporal) rank.

The Gefreiter rank was also considered a transition rank for promotion to and from which replacements were selected to the Unteroffizier (Corporal) rank. Within the Royal Prussian Army and the imperial army of the German Empire, the rank Gefreiter served as a deputy to the Unteroffizier (Corporal) and was distinguished by the wearing of an Auszeichnungsknopf (rank distinction button) known as the Gefreitenknopf (Gefreiter button) on each side of their uniform collar, similar to the slightly larger rank collar side-buttons worn by both the Sergeant and Feldwebel ranks.

In the Royal Prussian Army until its reorganization after 1806, there existed, along with the rank of Gefreiter, the rank of Gefreite-Korporale, who wore a silver Portepee (sword lanyard). These officer cadets were specifically selected for higher advancement and stood equal with their officer cadet counterpart, the Portepee-Fähnriche. The rank of Gefreite-Korporale also existed alongside Gefreiter in the Austrian Army during the Thirty Years' War.

Since the 1920s, the German rank of Gefreiter has expanded into several additional ranks and duties: