在图论中，网络流（英语：Network flow）是指在一个每条边都有容量（capacity）的有向图分配流，使一条边的流量不会超过它的容量。通常在运筹学中，有向图称为网络。顶点称为节点（node）而边称为弧（arc）。一道流必须符合一个结点的进出的流量相同的限制，除非这是一个源点（source）──有较多向外的流，或是一个汇点（sink）──有较多向内的流。一个网络可以用来仿真道路系统的交通量、管中的液体、电路中的电流或类似一些东西在一个结点的网络中游动的任何事物。

In graph theory, a flow network (also known as a transportation network) is a directed graph where each edge has a capacity and each edge receives a flow. The amount of flow on an edge cannot exceed the capacity of the edge. Often in operations research, a directed graph is called a network. The vertices are called nodes and the edges are called arcs. A flow must satisfy the restriction that the amount of flow into a node equals the amount of flow out of it, unless it is a source, which has only outgoing flow, or sink, which has only incoming flow. A network can be used to model traffic in a road system, circulation with demands, fluids in pipes, currents in an electrical circuit, or anything similar in which something travels through a network of nodes.