This list of acanthodian genera is an attempt to create a comprehensive listing of all genera that have ever been included in the subclass Acanthodii, excluding purely vernacular terms. The list includes all commonly accepted genera, but also genera that are now considered invalid, doubtful (nomina dubia), or were not formally published (nomina nuda), as well as junior synonyms of more established names, and genera that are no longer considered acanthodians. Not counting their descendants, the modern chondricthyans, all acanthodians are extinct. Extinct genera are marked with a dagger (†)

Naming conventions and terminology follow the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Technical terms used include: