Sturmhauptführer was a paramilitary rank used by several organizations of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) in Germany between 1928 and 1945. It was most notably employed by the Sturmabteilung (SA) and the Schutzstaffel (SS).
The rank is translated literally as "Storm Head Leader." Within the hierarchical structure of Nazi paramilitary groups, it was classified as a senior company-grade officer rank. It was considered the equivalent of a Hauptmann (Captain) in the German Army (Heer).
In the SS, the rank of Sturmhauptführer was used from its inception until 1934. Following the Night of the Long Knives, the SS underwent a structural reorganization and renamed the rank to Hauptsturmführer. Despite this change in the SS, the SA continued to use the title Sturmhauptführer as a standard rank until the dissolution of the organization in 1945.
The rank was also utilized by other party-affiliated paramilitary organizations, including the National Socialist Motor Corps (NSKK) and the National Socialist Flyers Corps (NSFK). Insignia for the rank typically consisted of four silver pips and a silver stripe centered on a collar patch.