球阀是四分之一圈的形式阀，透过球体来控制流动。手柄平整地对准的流动时打开，并垂直于它在关闭时，使得对所述阀的状态容易视觉确认。

球阀的便于操作、维修、耐久，多功能借给广泛的工业用途，支撑压力高达1000巴和温度高达752 °F（400 °C），这取决于设计和所用材料。尺寸通常为0.2英寸（5.1毫米）至48英寸（1,200毫米）。阀体材料是由塑料或金属、陶瓷组成；球体材料是镀铬。

球阀管不应混淆带有“球止回阀”，一种类型的单向阀，它使用一个实心球，以防止液体或气体回流。

其它类型的回转阀包括蝶阀和旋塞阀。

A ball valve is a form of quarter-turn valve which uses a hollow, perforated and pivoting ball (called a "floating ball") to control flow through it. It is open when the ball's hole is in line with the flow and closed when it is pivoted 90-degrees by the valve handle. The handle lies flat in alignment with the flow when open, and is perpendicular to it when closed, making for easy visual confirmation of the valve's status.