General is currently the highest peace-time rank in the British Army and Royal Marines. It is the equivalent of a 4 star rank, and is subordinate to the Army rank of Field Marshal and the Royal Marines rank of Captain General Royal Marines.

A general's insignia is a crossed sword and baton. This appeared on its own for the now obsolete rank of Brigadier-General. A Major-General has a pip over this emblem; a Lieutenant-General a crown instead of a pip; and a full General both a pip and a crown. The insignia for the highest rank of Field Marshal consists of crossed batons within a wreath and surmounted by a crown.

Brigadiers, although equivalent to Brigadier Generals in other armies, are not considered to be general officers in the British Army.