A grader, commonly referred to as a road grader or a motor grader, is a construction machine with a long blade used to create a flat surface during the grading process. Although the earliest models were towed behind horses or other powered equipment, these are known as "motor graders".

Typical models have three axles, with the engine and cabs located above the rear axles at one end of the vehicle and a third axle at the front of the vehicle, with the blade in between.

Most motor graders drive the rear axles in tandem, but some also add front wheel drive to improve grading capability.

Many graders also have optional attachments for the rear of the machine, which can be ripper, scarifier, blade, or compactor. In certain countries, for example in Finland, almost every grader is equipped with a second blade that is placed in front of the front axle.

For snowplowing and some dirt grading operations. Some construction personnel refer to the entire machine as "the blade".

Capacities range from a blade width of 2.50 to 7.30 m (8 to 24 ft) and engines from 93-373 kW (125-500 hp). Certain graders can operate multiple attachments, or be designed for specialized tasks like underground mining.