| Election Name: | 1838 Illinois gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Illinois |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | Yes |
| Previous Election: | 1834 Illinois gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1834 |
| Next Election: | 1842 Illinois gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1842 |
| Election Date: | August 6, 1838 |
| Image1: | Thomas Carlin (cropped).png |
| Nominee1: | Thomas Carlin |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 30,668 |
| Percentage1: | 50.78% |
| Nominee2: | Cyrus Edwards |
| Party2: | Whig Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 29,722 |
| Percentage2: | 49.22% |
| Map Size: | 150px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Joseph Duncan |
| Before Party: | Whig Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Thomas Carlin |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1838 Illinois gubernatorial election was the sixth quadrennial election for this office. Democrat Thomas Carlin was elected by a bare majority of the voters in a close election. He defeated Cyrus Edwards, the brother of former governor Ninian Edwards for the office.