The grand wizard (sometimes called the imperial wizard or national director) is the national leader of several different Ku Klux Klan organizations in the United States and abroad. The title "Grand Wizard" was used by the first Klan which was founded in 1865 and which existed during the Reconstruction era until 1872. The title was chosen because General Forrest had been known as "The Wizard of the Saddle" during the Civil War. The second Klan, founded in 1915, styled their national leader the "Imperial Wizard". National officers were styled "Imperial" officers. State or "Realm" officers were styled "Grand" officers. For example, a "Grand Dragon" was the highest-ranking Klansman in a given state.

National leaders of the Ku Klux Klan

This list excludes those grand or imperial wizards of independent Klan factions:

The first Klan (1865–1872)

The Ku Klux Klan was founded by six confederate veterans in 1865 but did not elect a Grand Wizard until after Nathan Bedford Forrest joined in 1867.

The second Klan (1915–1944)

The third Klan (post–World War II)

Major Klan leaders following the disbandment of the second Klan: