| Brainard Shale | |
| Type: | Formation |
| Age: | Ordovician |
| Period: | Ordovician |
| Region: | Illinois, Indiana |
| Country: | United States |
| Unitof: | Maquoketa Group |
| Underlies: | Brassfield Limestone, Cataract Formation, and Sexton Creek Limestone |
| Overlies: | Fort Atkinson Limestone |
The Brainard Shale is a geologic formation in Illinois. It preserves fossils dating back to the Ordovician period.