Cardboard records were a type of cheaply made phonograph record made of plastic-coated thin cardboard. These discs were usually small; had poor audio quality compared to vinyl or acetate discs; and were often only marginally playable due to their light weight, slick surface, and tendency to warp like a taco shell. These records are distinct from both flexi discs, which are sturdier, and from many of the old home-recording discs since cardboard discs were mass-produced for a specific purpose.

Cardboard records were often used as freebies in promotional campaigns, and as such were assumed to be played once or twice and then thrown away. Two examples, both from the late 1980s, were Life Cereal's "Rock Music Mystery" and McDonalds' "Menu Song" contest, both of which were designed around audio "clues". Because of their disposable, limited-run nature, as well as their association with long-gone advertising campaigns, cardboard records can be quite collectible.

Cardboard records are also associated with pornographic recordings included with magazines of similar subject matter.