Canister shot was a kind of anti-personnel ammunition used in cannons. It was similar to grape shot.

Canister shot consisted of a metal canister filled with lead musket bullets. When it was fired, the canister would explode and the bullets would spread out, causing a wide swath of destruction.

The canister round also known as case is still in use today. The effect is to turn a large calibre gun on an armoured fighting vehicle into a giant shotgun. This can be used against enemy infantry even when in proximity to friendly armoured vehicles.

Projectiles