A type of cymbal typically used for loud accent hits sometimes accompanied by cymbal chokes. Crash cymbals come in various diameters and thicknesses, which affect the pitch and the tone of the cymbal. A rock, country, jazz, or pop drummer may use several different crash cymbals in a drum kit, to provide a range of colors.

The crash cymbals used with a drum kit are usually single cymbals, suspended from or mounted to a stand.

The crash cymbals used in orchestral or wind band situations are usually dual cymbals, which the drummer holds by straps in each hand, clashing them together to create a crash or accent.