# List of aircraft carriers of World War II

This is a list of aircraft carriers of the Second World War.
Aircraft carriers serve as a seagoing airbases, equipped with a flight deck and facilities for carrying, arming, deploying and recovering aircraft. Typically, they are the capital ships of a fleet, as they project air power worldwide without depending on local bases for operational support. Aircraft carriers are expensive and are considered critical assets. By the Second World War aircraft carriers had evolved from converted cruisers, to purpose built vessels of many classes and roles. Fleet carriers were the largest type, operating with the main fleet to provide offensive capability. Light aircraft carriers were fast enough to operate with the fleet but smaller and with fewer aircraft.
Escort carriers were smaller and slower, with low numbers of aircraft, and provided defense for convoys. Most of the latter were built from mercantile hulls or, in the case of merchant aircraft carriers, were bulk cargo ships with a flight deck added on top. Catapult aircraft merchant ships were cargo-carrying merchant ships that could launch (but not retrieve) a single fighter aircraft from a catapult to defend the convoy from long-range German aircraft.
The aircraft carrier dramatically changed naval combat in the war, as air power became a significant factor in warfare. The advent of aircraft as primary weapons was driven by the superior range, flexibility and effectiveness of carrier-launched aircraft. They had higher range and precision than naval guns, making them highly effective. The versatility of the carrier was demonstrated in November 1940 when HMS Illustrious launched a long-range strike on the Italian fleet at their base in Taranto, signalling the beginning of effective and highly mobile aircraft strikes. This operation incapacitated three of the six battleships at a cost of two torpedo bombers.
In the Pacific Ocean clashes occurred between aircraft carrier fleets. The 1941 Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was a clear illustration of the power projection capability afforded by a large force of modern carriers. Concentrating six carriers in a single unit turned naval history about, as no other nation had fielded anything comparable. However, the vulnerability of carriers compared to traditional battleships when forced into a gun-range encounter was quickly illustrated by the sinking of HMS Glorious by German battleships during the Norwegian campaign in 1940.
This new-found importance of naval aviation forced nations to create a number of carriers, in an effort to provide air superiority for every major fleet. This extensive usage required the construction of several new 'light' carriers. Escort aircraft carriers, such as USS Bogue, were sometimes purpose-built, but most were converted from merchant ships as a stop-gap measure to provide anti-submarine air support for convoys and amphibious invasions. Following this concept, light aircraft carriers built by the US, such as USS Independence, represented a larger and more "militarized" version of the escort carrier. Although with complements similar to escort carriers, they had the advantage of speed from their converted cruiser hulls. The British 1942 Design Light Fleet Carrier was designed for quick construction by civilian shipyards and a short three-year service life. They served the Royal Navy during the war, and their hull design was chosen for nearly all aircraft carrier equipped navies after the war until the 1980s. Emergency situations during the war spurred the creation of highly unconventional aircraft carriers, such as the CAM ships.
The List of ships of World War II contains major military vessels of the war, arranged alphabetically and by type. The list includes armed vessels that served during the war and in the immediate aftermath, inclusive of localized ongoing combat operations, garrison surrenders, post-surrender occupation, colony re-occupation, troop and prisoner repatriation, to the end of 1945. For smaller vessels, see also List of World War II ships of less than 1000 tons. Some uncompleted Axis ships are included, out of historic interest. Ships are designated to the country under which they operated for the longest period of World War II, regardless of where they were built or previous service history.

## List of ships

List of aircraft carriers of World War II :
| Ship | Operator | Class | Type | Displacement (tons) | First commissioned | Fate |
| Admiralty Islands | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 13 June 1944 | scrapped 1947 |
| Adula | Royal Navy | Rapana | merchant aircraft carrier | 16,000 | 1 February 1944 | returned to merchant service post-war |
| Akagi | Imperial Japanese Navy | Amagi | fleet carrier | 36,500 | 27 March 1927 | sunk 5 June 1942 |
| Akitsu Maru | Imperial Japanese Army | Akitsu Maru | escort carrier | 11,800 | 30 January 1942 | sunk 15 November 1944 |
| Albatross | Royal Navy | | seaplane carrier | 6,350 | 29 September 1938 | torpedoed 1944, not repaired, scrapped 1954 |
| Alexia | Royal Navy | Rapana | merchant aircraft carrier | 8,010 | 1 December 1943 | returned to merchant service post-war |
| Altamaha | United States Navy | Bogue | escort carrier | 7,800 | 15 September 1942 | scrapped 1946 |
| Amagi | Imperial Japanese Navy | Unryū | fleet carrier | 17,150 | 10 August 1944 | sunk 27 July 1945 |
| Amastra | Royal Navy | Rapana | merchant aircraft carrier | 16,000 | 1 September 1943 | scrapped 1955 |
| Ameer | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 20 July 1943 | paid off 20 March 1946, scrapped 1969 |
| Ancylus | Royal Navy | Rapana | merchant aircraft carrier | 16,000 | October 1943 | scrapped 1954 |
| Antietam | United States Navy | Essex | fleet carrier | 30,800 | 28 January 1945 | decommissioned 8 May 1963, scrapped 1974 |
| Aquila | Regia Marina | ex-SS Roma | fleet carrier | 23,500 | | not completed, scrapped 1952 |
| Arbiter | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 31 December 1943 | paid off 12 April 1946, scrapped 1972 |
| Archer | Royal Navy | Long Island | escort carrier | 8,200 | 17 November 1941 | paid off 6 November 1943, scrapped 1962 |
| Argus | Royal Navy | ex-SS Conte Rosso | light aircraft carrier | 14,860 | 1 September 1918 | scrapped 1946 |
| Ariguani | Royal Navy | Pegasus | fighter catapult ship | | 1940 | Damaged 1943, returned to merchant service |
| Ark Royal | Royal Navy | Ark Royal | fleet carrier | 22,000 | 16 December 1938 | sunk 14 November 1941 |
| Atheling | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 28 October 1943 | paid off 6 December 1946, scrapped 1967 |
| Attacker | Royal Navy | Attacker | escort carrier | 7,800 | 30 September 1942 | paid off 5 January 1946, scrapped 24 May 1980 |
| Attu | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 30 June 1944 | scrapped 1947 |
| Audacity | Royal Navy | ex-SS Hannover | escort carrier | 11,000 | 20 June 1941 | sunk 21 December 1941 |
| Avenger | Royal Navy | Avenger | escort carrier | 8,200 | 2 March 1942 | sunk 15 November 1942 |
| Bairoko | United States Navy | Commencement Bay | escort carrier | 10,900 | 16 July 1945 | decommissioned 1955, scrapped 1960 |
| Barnes | United States Navy | Bogue | escort carrier | 7,800 | 20 February 1943 | decommissioned 29 August 1946, scrapped 1959 |
| Bataan | United States Navy | Independence | light aircraft carrier | 11,000 | 17 November 1943 | decommissioned 9 April 1954, scrapped 1960 |
| Battler | Royal Navy | Attacker | escort carrier | 7,800 | 31 October 1942 | paid off 12 February 1946, scrapped 14 May 1946 |
| Béarn | French Navy Free French Naval Forces | Normandie | fleet carrier | 22,150 | 1 May 1927 | struck November 1966, scrapped March 1967 |
| Begum | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 2 August 1943 | paid off 20 March 1946, scrapped 1974 |
| Belleau Wood | United States Navy | Independence | light aircraft carrier | 11,000 | 31 March 1943 | decommissioned 13 January 1947, scrapped 1961 |
| Bennington | United States Navy | Essex | fleet carrier | 30,800 | 6 August 1944 | decommissioned 15 January 1970, scrapped 1994 |
| Bismarck Sea | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 20 May 1944 | sunk 21 February 1945 |
| Biter | Royal Navy French Navy | Avenger | escort carrier | 8,200 | 5 May 1942 | transferred to France as Dixmude 1945 |
| Block Island (CVE-21) | United States Navy | Bogue | escort carrier | 7,800 | 8 March 1943 | sunk 29 May 1944 |
| Block Island (CVE-106) | United States Navy | Commencement Bay | escort carrier | 10,900 | 30 December 1944 | decommissioned 1954, scrapped 1960 |
| Bogue | United States Navy | Bogue | escort carrier | 7,800 | 26 September 1942 | decommissioned 30 November 1946, scrapped 1960 |
| Bon Homme Richard | United States Navy | Essex | fleet carrier | 30,800 | 26 November 1944 | decommissioned 2 July 1971, scrapped 1992 |
| Bougainville | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 18 June 1944 | decommissioned 1946, scrapped 1960 |
| Boxer | United States Navy | Essex | fleet carrier | 30,800 | 16 April 1945 | decommissioned 1 December 1969, scrapped 1971 |
| Breton | United States Navy | Bogue | escort carrier | 7,800 | 12 April 1943 | decommissioned 1946, scrapped 1972 |
| Bunker Hill | United States Navy | Essex | fleet carrier | 30,800 | 24 May 1943 | decommissioned 9 January 1947, scrapped 1973 |
| Cabot | United States Navy | Independence | light aircraft carrier | 11,000 | 24 July 1943 | decommissioned 21 January 1955, scrapped 2002 |
| Campania | Royal Navy | Nairana | escort carrier | 13,000 | 9 February 1944 | paid off 30 December 1945, scrapped 1955 |
| Cape Esperance | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 9 April 1944 | scrapped 1959 |
| Cape Gloucester | United States Navy | Commencement Bay | escort carrier | 10,900 | 5 March 1945 | decommissioned 1946, scrapped 1971 |
| Card | United States Navy | Bogue | escort carrier | 7,800 | 8 November 1942 | scrapped 1971 |
| Casablanca | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 8 July 1943 | decommissioned 10 June 1946, scrapped 1947 |
| Charger | United States Navy | Avenger | escort carrier | 8,200 | 3 March 1942 | paid off 15 March 1946, scrapped 1969 |
| Chaser | Royal Navy | Attacker | escort carrier | 7,800 | 9 April 1943 | paid off 12 May 1946, sold into merchant service, scrapped 1972/73 |
| Chenango | United States Navy | Sangamon | escort carrier | 11,400 | 19 September 1942 | decommissioned 14 August 1946, scrapped 1960 |
| Chigusa Maru | Imperial Japanese Army | Yamashio Maru | escort carrier | 15,864 | | not completed during war, converted to tanker 1945, scrapped June 1963 |
| Chitose | Imperial Japanese Navy | Chitose | light aircraft carrier | 11,190 | 25 July 1938 | sunk 25 October 1944 |
| Chiyoda | Imperial Japanese Navy | Chitose | light aircraft carrier | 11,190 | 15 December 1938 | sunk 25 October 1944 |
| Chūyō | Imperial Japanese Navy | Taiyō | escort carrier | 18,116 | 25 November 1942 | sunk 4 December 1943 |
| Colossus | Royal Navy | Colossus | light aircraft carrier | 13,200 | 16 December 1944 | transferred to France, renamed Arromanches 6 August 1946 |
| Commandant Teste | French Navy | | seaplane carrier | 10,000 | 18 April 1932 | scuttled on 27 November 1942, scrapped 15 May 1950 |
| Commencement Bay | United States Navy | Commencement Bay | escort carrier | 10,900 | 27 November 1944 | decommissioned 30 November 1946, scrapped 1971 |
| Copahee | United States Navy | Bogue | escort carrier | 7,800 | 15 June 1942 | decommissioned 1946, scrapped 1961 |
| Coral Sea | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 27 August 1943 | renamed Anzio, decommissioned 1946, scrapped 1959 |
| Core | United States Navy | Bogue | escort carrier | 7,800 | 10 December 1942 | decommissioned 1946, scrapped 1971 |
| Corregidor | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 31 August 1943 | scrapped 1959 |
| Courageous | Royal Navy | Courageous | fleet carrier | 22,500 | 4 November 1916 | sunk 17 September 1939 |
| Cowpens | United States Navy | Independence | light aircraft carrier | 11,000 | 28 May 1943 | decommissioned 13 January 1947, scrapped 1960 |
| Croatan | United States Navy | Bogue | escort carrier | 7,800 | 28 April 1943 | decommissioned 1946, scrapped 1971 |
| Daiju Maru | Imperial Japanese Navy | Shimane Maru | escort carrier | 11,800 | | laid down 18 December 1944, not completed, converted to merchant ship as Ryūhō Maru 19 October 1949, scrapped May 1964 |
| Dasher | Royal Navy | Avenger | escort carrier | 8,200 | 2 July 1942 | sunk 27 March 1943 |
| Dristigheten | Swedish Navy | | seaplane carrier | 3,445 | 5 September 1901 | paid off 13 June 1947 |
| Eagle | Royal Navy | Almirante Latorre | light aircraft carrier | 22,600 | 26 February 1924 | sunk 11 August 1942 |
| Elbe | Kriegsmarine | Jade | escort carrier | 17,530 | | work halted 2 February 1943; seized 20 June 1946, renamed Empire Fowey |
| Emperor | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 6 August 1943 | paid off 28 March 1946, scrapped 1946 |
| Empire Activity | Royal Navy | Empire | merchant aircraft carrier | 14,250 | 29 September 1942 | Converted to merchant service 20 October 1945; scrapped 24 April 1967 |
| Empire MacAlpine | Royal Navy | Empire | merchant aircraft carrier | 8,000 | 14 April 1943 | transferred to merchant service post-war; renamed Derryname |
| Empire MacAndrew | Royal Navy | Empire | merchant aircraft carrier | 8,000 | 7 July 1943 | transferred to merchant service post-war; renamed Derryheen |
| Empire MacCabe | Royal Navy | Empire | merchant aircraft carrier | 9,000 | 1 December 1943 | transferred to merchant service 1946, renamed British Escort |
| Empire MacCallum | Royal Navy | Empire | merchant aircraft carrier | 8,000 | 22 December 1943 | transferred to merchant service post-war; renamed Alpha Zambesi |
| Empire MacColl | Royal Navy | Empire | merchant aircraft carrier | 9,000 | 1 November 1943 | transferred to merchant service 1946, renamed British Pilot |
| Empire MacDermott | Royal Navy | Empire | merchant aircraft carrier | 8,000 | 31 March 1944 | transferred to merchant service post-war; renamed La Cumbre |
| Empire MacKay | Royal Navy | Empire | merchant aircraft carrier | 9,000 | 5 October 1943 | transferred to merchant service 1946, renamed British Swordfish |
| Empire MacKendrick | Royal Navy | Empire | merchant aircraft carrier | 8,000 | 1 December 1943 | transferred to merchant service post-war; renamed Granpond |
| Empire MacMahon | Royal Navy | Empire | merchant aircraft carrier | 9,000 | 1 December 1943 | transferred to merchant service 1946, renamed Naninia |
| Empire MacRae | Royal Navy | Empire | merchant aircraft carrier | 8,000 | 20 September 1943 | returned to merchant service 1947, renamed Alpha Zambesi |
| Empress | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 9 August 1943 | paid off 28 March 1946, scrapped 1946 |
| Enterprise | United States Navy | Yorktown | fleet carrier | 25,100 | 12 May 1938 | decommissioned 1947, scrapped 1959 |
| Essex | United States Navy | Essex | fleet carrier | 30,800 | 31 December 1942 | decommissioned 30 June 1969, scrapped 1975 |
| Fanshaw Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 9 December 1943 | decommissioned 14 August 1946, scrapped 1959 |
| Fencer | Royal Navy | Attacker | escort carrier | 7,800 | 20 February 1943 | paid off 21 December 1945, sold as a merchant ship; scrapped 1975 |
| Flugzeugträger B | Kriegsmarine | Graf Zeppelin | fleet carrier | 23,200 | | not completed, construction halted on 19 September 1939, scrapped 28 February 1940 |
| Formidable | Royal Navy | Illustrious | fleet carrier | 23,000 | 24 November 1940 | scrapped 1953 |
| Franklin | United States Navy | Essex | fleet carrier | 30,800 | 31 January 1944 | decommissioned 17 February 1947, scrapped 1964 |
| Franklin D. Roosevelt | United States Navy | Midway | fleet carrier | 45,000 | 27 October 1945 | decommissioned 30 September 1977, scrapped 3 May 1978 |
| Furious | Royal Navy | Courageous | fleet carrier | 22,400 | 14 October 1917 | scrapped 1948 |
| Gadila | Royal Netherlands Navy | Rapana | merchant aircraft carrier | 8,000 | 1 March 1944 | returned to merchant service 1946; scrapped 1958 |
| Gambier Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 28 December 1943 | sunk 25 October 1944 |
| Gilbert Islands | United States Navy | Commencement Bay | escort carrier | 10,900 | 5 February 1945 | decommissioned 15 January 1955, scrapped 1 November 1979 |
| Giuseppe Miraglia | Regia Marina | ex-Città di Messina | seaplane carrier | 4,965 | 1 November 1927 | decommissioned 15 July 1950 |
| Glorious | Royal Navy | Courageous | fleet carrier | 22,500 | 20 April 1916 | sunk 8 June 1940 |
| Glory | Royal Navy | Colossus | light aircraft carrier | 13,200 | 2 April 1945 | scrapped August 1961 |
| Graf Zeppelin | Kriegsmarine | Graf Zeppelin | fleet carrier | 23,200 | | launched 8 December 1938, not completed, scuttled 16 August 1947 |
| Guadalcanal | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 25 September 1943 | decommissioned 15 July 1946, scrapped 1959 |
| Hancock | United States Navy | Essex | fleet carrier | 27,100 | 15 April 1944 | sold for scrap, 1 September 1976 |
| Hermes | Royal Navy | Hermes | light aircraft carrier | 10,850 | 7 July 1923 | sunk 9 April 1942 |
| Hiryū | Imperial Japanese Navy | Hiryū | fleet carrier | 17,300 | 5 July 1939 | sunk 5 June 1942 |
| Hiyō | Imperial Japanese Navy | Hiyō | fleet carrier | 24,140 | 31 July 1942 | sunk 20 June 1944 |
| Hoggatt Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 11 January 1944 | decommissioned 20 July 1946, scrapped 1960 |
| Hollandia | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 1 June 1944 | decommissioned 17 January 1947, scrapped 1961 |
| Hornet (CV-8) | United States Navy | Yorktown | fleet carrier | 26,500 | 25 October 1941 | sunk 27 October 1942 |
| Hornet (CV-12) | United States Navy | Essex | fleet carrier | 27,100 | 29 November 1943 | decommissioned 26 June 1970; museum ship |
| Hōshō | Imperial Japanese Navy | Hōshō | light aircraft carrier | 7,470 | 27 December 1922 | scrapped 1947 |
| Hunter | Royal Navy | Attacker | escort carrier | 7,800 | 9 January 1943 | paid off 17 January 1947, scrapped May 1946 |
| Ibuki | Imperial Japanese Navy | Ibuki | light aircraft carrier | 14,600 | | launched 21 May 1943, not completed, scrapped 22 November 1946 |
| Illustrious | Royal Navy | Illustrious | fleet carrier | 30,530 | 25 May 1940 | scrapped 1956 |
| Implacable | Royal Navy | Implacable | fleet carrier | 32,624 | 28 August 1944 | scrapped 1955 |
| Indefatigable | Royal Navy | Implacable | fleet carrier | 32,110 | 3 May 1944 | scrapped 1956 |
| Independence | United States Navy | Independence | light aircraft carrier | 11,000 | 14 January 1943 | decommissioned 28 August 1946, target ship scuttled 1951 |
| Indomitable | Royal Navy | Illustrious | fleet carrier | 23,000 | 10 October 1941 | scrapped 1955 |
| Intrepid | United States Navy | Essex | fleet carrier | 27,100 | 16 August 1943 | decommissioned 15 March 1974; museum ship |
| Joffre | French Navy | Joffre | fleet carrier | 18,000 | | laid down 26 November 1938, not completed, construction stopped June 1940 |
| Junyō | Imperial Japanese Navy | Hiyō | fleet carrier | 26,949 | 5 May 1942 | scrapped 1947 |
| Kadashan Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 18 January 1944 | decommissioned 14 June 1946, scrapped 1959 |
| Kaga | Imperial Japanese Navy | Tosa | fleet carrier | 38,200 | 1 November 1929 | sunk 4 June 1942 |
| Kaiyō | Imperial Japanese Navy | ex-MV Argentina Maru | escort carrier | 16,223 | 23 November 1943 | scrapped 1 September 1946 |
| Kalinin Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 27 November 1943 | decommissioned 15 May 1946, scrapped 1947 |
| Kasaan Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 4 December 1943 | decommissioned 6 July 1946, scrapped 1960 |
| Katsuragi | Imperial Japanese Navy | Unryū | fleet carrier | 22,178 | 15 October 1944 | scrapped 1947 |
| Kumano Maru | Imperial Japanese Army | Kumano Maru | escort carrier | 8,258 | 31 March 1945 | converted to merchant ship 1947, scrapped 1948 |
| Khedive | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 25 August 1943 | paid off 19 July 1946, scrapped 1975 |
| Kitkun Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 15 December 1943 | decommissioned 19 April 1946, scrapped 1947 |
| Kula Gulf | United States Navy | Commencement Bay | escort carrier | 10,900 | 12 May 1945 | decommissioned 15 December 1955, scrapped 1971 |
| Kwajalein | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 7 June 1944 | decommissioned 16 August 1946, scrapped 1961 |
| Lake Champlain | United States Navy | Essex | fleet carrier | 27,100 | 3 June 1945 | decommissioned 2 May 1966, scrapped 1972 |
| Langley (CV-1) | United States Navy | ex-USS Jupiter | seaplane carrier | 11,500 | 7 April 1913 | sunk 27 February 1942 |
| Langley (CVL-27) | United States Navy | Independence | light aircraft carrier | 11,000 | 31 August 1943 | decommissioned 11 February 1947, scrapped 1964 |
| Lexington (CV-2) | United States Navy | Lexington | fleet carrier | 33,000 | 14 December 1927 | sunk 8 May 1942 |
| Lexington (CV-16) | United States Navy | Essex | fleet carrier | 27,100 | 17 February 1943 | decommissioned 8 November 1991; museum ship |
| Liscome Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 7 August 1943 | sunk 24 November 1943 |
| Long Island | United States Navy | Long Island | escort carrier | 13,500 | 2 June 1941 | decommissioned 26 March 1946 |
| Lunga Point | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 14 May 1944 | decommissioned 24 October 1946, scrapped 1960 |
| Macoma | Royal Netherlands Navy | Rapana | merchant aircraft carrier | 8,000 | 1 April 1944 | transferred to merchant service post-war |
| Makassar Strait | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 27 April 1944 | decommissioned 9 August 1946, scrapped 1961 |
| Makin Island | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 9 May 1944 | decommissioned 19 April 1946, scrapped 1947 |
| Manila Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 5 October 1943 | decommissioned 31 July 1946, scrapped 1959 |
| Maplin | Royal Navy | Pegasus | fighter catapult ship | | | Returned to her owner 1 August 1942 (had been requisitioned by the Admiralty in September 1940) |
| Marcus Island | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 26 January 1944 | decommissioned 12 December 1946, scrapped 1960 |
| Matanikau | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 22 May 1944 | decommissioned 11 October 1946, scrapped 1960 |
| Midway | United States Navy | Midway | fleet carrier | 45,000 | 10 September 1945 | decommissioned 11 April 1992; museum ship |
| Miralda | Royal Navy | Rapana | merchant aircraft carrier | 16,000 | 1 January 1944 | returned to merchant service post-war; renamed Marisa |
| Mizuho | Imperial Japanese Navy | | seaplane carrier | 10,930 | 25 February 1939 | sunk 2 May 1942 |
| Mission Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 13 September 1943 | decommissioned 21 February 1947, scrapped 1959 |
| Monterey | United States Navy | Independence | light aircraft carrier | 11,000 | 17 June 1943 | decommissioned 16 January 1956, scrapped 1971 |
| Munda | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 8 July 1944 | decommissioned 26 April 1946, scrapped 1960 |
| Nabob | Royal Navy Royal Canadian Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 7 September 1943 | crewed by RCN, paid off 10 October 1944, scrapped December 1977 |
| Nairana | Royal Navy | Nairana | escort carrier | 14,280 | 12 December 1943 | to Netherlands 23 March 1946, scrapped 1971 |
| Nassau | United States Navy | Bogue | escort carrier | 7,800 | 20 August 1942 | decommissioned 28 October 1946, scrapped 1961 |
| Natoma Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 14 October 1943 | decommissioned 20 May 1946, scrapped 1959 |
| Nehenta Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 3 January 1944 | decommissioned 15 May 1946, scrapped 1960 |
| Nigitsu Maru | Imperial Japanese Army | Akitsu Maru | escort carrier | 11,800 | March 1943 | sunk 12 January 1944 |
| Nisshin | Imperial Japanese Navy | | seaplane carrier | 12,500 | 27 February 1942 | sunk 22 July 1943 |
| Ocean | Royal Navy | Colossus | light aircraft carrier | 13,200 | 8 August 1945 | scrapped May 1962 |
| Ommaney Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 11 February 1944 | scuttled 4 January 1945 |
| Ōtakisan Maru | Imperial Japanese Navy | Shimane Maru | escort carrier | 11,800 | | launched 14 January 1945, 70% complete, sunk 25 August 1945, scrapped 1948 |
| Patia | Royal Navy | Pegasus | fighter catapult ship | | | sunk 1941 |
| Patroller | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 22 October 1943 | paid off 7 February 1947, scrapped February 1974 |
| Pegasus | Royal Navy | Pegasus | seaplane carrier/fighter catapult ship | 7,080 | 10 December 1914 | known as HMS Ark Royal until 1934. Used as seaplane training ship and aircraft transport until converted in 1940. Paid off June 1946. |
| Perseus | Royal Navy | Colossus | aircraft maintenance carrier | 13,200 | 16 December 1944 | transferred to France 6 August 1946, renamed Arromanches |
| Petrof Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 18 February 1944 | decommissioned 31 July 1955, scrapped 1959 |
| Pioneer | Royal Navy | Colossus | aircraft maintenance carrier | 13,200 | 8 February 1945 | scrapped September 1954 |
| Premier | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 3 November 1943 | paid off 21 May 1946, scrapped 1976 |
| Prince William | United States Navy | Bogue | escort carrier | 7,800 | 9 April 1943 | scrapped 1961 |
| Princeton | United States Navy | Independence | light aircraft carrier | 11,000 | 25 February 1943 | sunk 24 October 1944 |
| Puget Sound | United States Navy | Commencement Bay | escort carrier | 10,900 | 18 June 1945 | decommissioned 18 October 1946, scrapped 10 January 1962 |
| Puncher | Royal Navy Royal Canadian Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 5 February 1944 | crewed by RCN, paid off 16 February 1946, scrapped 1973 |
| Pursuer | Royal Navy | Attacker | escort carrier | 7,800 | 14 June 1943 | returned to USN 12 February 1946, sold for scrap May 1946 |
| Queen | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 7 December 1943 | paid off July 1947, scrapped 1972 |
| Rajah | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 17 January 1944 | paid off 7 February 1947, scrapped 1975 |
| Randolph | United States Navy | Essex | fleet carrier | 27,100 | 9 October 1944 | decommissioned 13 February 1969, scrapped 1975 |
| Ranger | United States Navy | Ranger | fleet carrier | 14,500 | 4 June 1934 | decommissioned 18 October 1946, scrapped 1947 |
| Ranee | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 2 June 1943 | paid off 22 January 1947, scrapped 1973 |
| Rapana | Royal Navy | Rapana | merchant aircraft carrier | 16,000 | 1 July 1943 | transferred to merchant service post-war; renamed Rotula |
| Ravager | Royal Navy | Attacker | escort carrier | 7,800 | 25 April 1943 | paid off February 1946, scrapped 1973 |
| Reaper | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 21 February 1944 | paid off 2 July 1946, scrapped 1967 |
| Regele Carol I | Royal Romanian Navy | | seaplane carrier | 2,653 | July 1898 | sunk 10 October 1941 |
| Roi | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 6 July 1944 | decommissioned 9 May 1946, scrapped 1947 |
| Rudyerd Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 25 February 1944 | decommissioned 11 June 1946, scrapped 1960 |
| Ruler | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 22 December 1943 | paid off 29 January 1946, scrapped 31 May 1946 |
| Ryūhō | Imperial Japanese Navy | ex-Taigei | light aircraft carrier | 13,360 | 31 March 1934 | struck 30 November 1945, scrapped 1946 |
| Ryūjō | Imperial Japanese Navy | Ryūjō | light aircraft carrier | 10,600 | 9 May 1933 | sunk 24 August 1942 |
| Sable | United States Navy | ex-SS Greater Buffalo | training aircraft carrier | 6,690 | 8 May 1943 | scrapped 1948 |
| Saginaw Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 2 March 1944 | decommissioned 19 June 1946, scrapped 1960 |
| St. Lo | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 23 October 1943 | sunk 25 October 1944 |
| Salamaua | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 26 May 1944 | decommissioned 9 May 1946, scrapped 1947 |
| Salerno Bay | United States Navy | Commencement Bay | escort carrier | 10,900 | 19 May 1945 | decommissioned 16 February 1954, scrapped 30 October 1961 |
| Sangamon | United States Navy | Sangamon | escort carrier | 11,400 | 25 August 1942 | decommissioned 24 October 1945, scrapped 1960 |
| Santee | United States Navy | Sangamon | escort carrier | 11,400 | 24 August 1942 | decommissioned 21 October 1946, scrapped 1960 |
| San Jacinto | United States Navy | Independence | light aircraft carrier | 11,000 | 15 November 1943 | decommissioned 1 March 1947, scrapped 1972 |
| Saratoga | United States Navy | Lexington | fleet carrier | 33,000 | 16 November 1927 | sunk as a target 1946 |
| Sargent Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 9 March 1944 | decommissioned 23 June 1946, scrapped 1959 |
| Savo Island | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 3 February 1944 | decommissioned 12 December 1946, scrapped 1960 |
| Shamrock Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 15 March 1944 | decommissioned 6 July 1946, scrapped 1958 |
| Shangri-La | United States Navy | Essex | fleet carrier | 30,800 | 15 September 1944 | decommissioned 30 July 1971, scrapped 1988 |
| Shimane Maru | Imperial Japanese Navy | Shimane Maru | escort carrier | 11,800 | 28 February 1945 | sunk 24 July 1945, scrapped 1948 |
| Shinano | Imperial Japanese Navy | Yamato | fleet carrier | 64,800 | 19 November 1944 | sunk 29 November 1944 |
| Shin'yō | Imperial Japanese Navy | ex-SS Scharnhorst | escort carrier | 17,500 | 15 November 1943 | sunk 17 November 1944 |
| Siboney | United States Navy | Commencement Bay | escort carrier | 10,900 | 14 May 1945 | decommissioned 31 July 1956, scrapped 1971 |
| Shipley Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 21 March 1944 | decommissioned 28 June 1946, scrapped 1960 |
| Shōhō | Imperial Japanese Navy | Zuihō | light aircraft carrier | 11,260 | 30 November 1941 | sunk 8 May 1942 |
| Shōkaku | Imperial Japanese Navy | Shōkaku | fleet carrier | 25,675 | 8 August 1941 | sunk 19 June 1944 |
| Sōryū | Imperial Japanese Navy | Sōryū | fleet carrier | 15,900 | 29 January 1937 | sunk 4 June 1942 |
| Searcher | Royal Navy | Attacker | escort carrier | 7,800 | 3 April 1943 | paid off 1945, scrapped 21 April 1976 |
| Shah | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 27 September 1943 | paid off 7 February 1946 |
| Sitkoh Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 28 March 1944 | decommissioned 27 July 1954, scrapped 1960 |
| Slinger | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 11 August 1943 | paid off 12 April 1946, scrapped 1969/70 |
| Smiter | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 20 January 1944 | paid off 6 May 1946, scrapped 1967 |
| Solomons | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 21 November 1943 | decommissioned 15 May 1946, scrapped 1947 |
| Sparviero | Regia Marina | ex-MS Augustus | escort carrier | 30,418 | | not completed, scrapped 1951 |
| Speaker | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 20 November 1943 | paid off 25 September 1946, scrapped 1972 |
| Springbank | Royal Navy | Pegasus | fighter catapult ship | | | sunk 27 September 1941 |
| Stalker | Royal Navy | Attacker | escort carrier | 7,800 | 21 December 1942 | paid off 29 December 1945, sold into merchant service as Riouw |
| Steamer Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 4 April 1944 | decommissioned January 1947, scrapped 1959 |
| Striker | Royal Navy | Attacker | escort carrier | 7,800 | 29 April 1943 | paid off 12 February 1946, scrapped 1948 |
| Suwannee | United States Navy | Sangamon | escort carrier | 11,400 | 24 September 1942 | decommissioned 8 January 1947, scrapped 1962 |
| Taihō | Imperial Japanese Navy | Taihō | fleet carrier | 29,300 | 7 March 1944 | sunk 19 June 1944 |
| Taiyō | Imperial Japanese Navy | Taiyō | escort carrier | 18,116 | 2 September 1941 | sunk 18 August 1944 |
| Takanis Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 15 April 1944 | decommissioned 18 June 1946, scrapped 29 June 1960 |
| Thane | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 19 November 1943 | paid off October 1945, scrapped 1946 |
| Thetis Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 12 April 1944 | decommissioned 1 March 1964, scrapped December 1964 |
| Ticonderoga | United States Navy | Essex | fleet carrier | 30,800 | 8 May 1944 | decommissioned 1 September 1973, scrapped 1975 |
| Tracker | Royal Navy | Attacker | escort carrier | 7,800 | 31 January 1943 | paid off 2 November 1946, scrapped 1964 |
| Tripoli | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 31 October 1943 | decommissioned 25 November 1958, scrapped 1960 |
| Trouncer | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 31 January 1944 | paid off 12 April 1946, scrapped 1973 |
| Trumpeter | Royal Navy | Ruler | escort carrier | 7,800 | 4 August 1943 | paid off 19 June 1946, scrapped 1971 |
| Tulagi | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 21 December 1943 | decommissioned 30 April 1946 |
| Unyō | Imperial Japanese Navy | Taiyō | escort carrier | 17,830 | 31 August 1942 | sunk 15 September 1944 |
| Unicorn | Royal Navy | | maintenance aircraft carrier | 16,510 | 12 March 1943 | paid off 17 November 1953 |
| Unryū | Imperial Japanese Navy | Unryū | fleet carrier | 17,150 | 6 August 1944 | sunk 19 December 1944 |
| Vella Gulf | United States Navy | Commencement Bay | escort carrier | 10,900 | 9 April 1945 | decommissioned 9 August 1946, scrapped 1971 |
| Venerable | Royal Navy | Colossus | light aircraft carrier | 13,200 | 17 January 1945 | paid off April 1947 |
| Vengeance | Royal Navy | Colossus | light aircraft carrier | 13,200 | 15 January 1945 | paid off 1952 |
| Victorious | Royal Navy | Illustrious | fleet carrier | 23,000 | 29 May 1941 | scrapped 1969 |
| Vindex | Royal Navy | Nairana | escort carrier | 13,671 | 3 December 1943 | paid off 1947, scrapped August 1971 |
| Wake Island | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 7 November 1943 | decommissioned 5 April 1946, scrapped April 1946 |
| Warrior | Royal Navy | Colossus | light aircraft carrier | 18,300 | 2 April 1945 | paid off 1970, scrapped 1971 |
| Wasp (CV-7) | United States Navy | Wasp | fleet carrier | 14,700 | 25 April 1940 | sunk 15 September 1942 |
| Wasp (CV-18) | United States Navy | Essex | fleet carrier | 30,800 | 24 November 1943 | decommissioned 1 July 1972 |
| Weser | Kriegsmarine | Admiral Hipper | escort carrier | 17,140 | | work halted June 1943; scuttled 29 January 1945 |
| White Plains | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 15 November 1943 | decommissioned 10 July 1946, scrapped 29 July 1958 |
| Windham Bay | United States Navy | Casablanca | escort carrier | 8,188 | 3 May 1944 | decommissioned January 1959, scrapped February 1961 |
| Wolverine | United States Navy | ex-SS Seeandbee | training aircraft carrier | 7,300 | 12 August 1942 | scrapped 1947 |
| Yamashio Maru | Imperial Japanese Army | Yamashio Maru | escort carrier | 15,864 | 27 January 1945 | sunk 17 February 1945 |
| Yorktown (CV-5) | United States Navy | Yorktown | fleet carrier | 25,100 | 30 September 1937 | sunk 7 June 1942 |
| Yorktown (CV-10) | United States Navy | Essex | fleet carrier | 36,380 | 15 April 1943 | decommissioned 27 June 1970; museum ship |
| Zuihō | Imperial Japanese Navy | Zuihō | light aircraft carrier | 11,260 | 27 December 1940 | sunk 25 October 1944 |
| Zuikaku | Imperial Japanese Navy | Shōkaku | fleet carrier | 29,800 | 25 September 1941 | sunk 25 October 1944 |
| Zuiun Maru | Imperial Japanese Army | Yamashio Maru | escort carrier | 15,864 | | not completed during war, converted to tanker 1945, scrapped 15 June 1964 |