Palmitic acid, also called hexadecanoic acid, is one of the most common saturated fatty acids found in animals and plants. It is a white solid that melts at 63.1°C and its chemical formula is CH₃(CH₂)₁₄COOH. As its name tells us, it is found in palm oil but also in butter, cheese, milk and meat.

Palmitic acid is the first fatty acid produced during lipogenesis and from which longer fatty acids can be produced.

Derivatives of the palmitic acid were used in World War II to produce napalm.