The Scout Promise (or Oath) is a declaration made by a person joining the Scout movement. Since the publication of Scouting for Boys in 1908, all Scouts and Girl Guides around the world have taken a Scout (or Guide) promise or oath to live up to ideals of the movement, and subscribed to a Scout Law. The wording of the Scout Promise and Scout Law have varied slightly over time and from country to country. Although most Scouting and Guiding organizations use the word "promise", a few, such as the Boy Scouts of America, tend to use "oath" instead.

Typically, Scouts and Guides will make the three-fingered salute when reciting the promise.

In his original book on Boy Scouting, Robert Baden-Powell introduced the Scout Promise, as follows:

Before he becomes a scout, a boy must take the scout's oath, thus:

While taking this oath, the scout will stand, holding his right hand raised level with his shoulder, palm to the front, thumb resting on the nail of the little finger and the other three fingers upright, pointing upwards:—

This is the scout's salute and secret sign.

The form of the promise has varied slightly from country to country and over time, but must fulfill the requirements of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) to qualify a National Scout Organization for membership. Together with clarifying its Scout Law, the Constitution of WOSM states:

Article II, paragraph 2: "Adherence to a Promise and Law"