In full Sultan Ismail ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim, was the third sultan of modern Johor in Malaysia.

Born Tunku Ismail on October 28, 1894 at Istana Semayam, Johor, he was the eldest son of Sultan Ibrahim by his first wife, Sultanah Ungku Maimunah.

Though proclaimed Tunku Mahkota or crown prince at the tender age of one,he did not succeed his father until the latter died in May 1959. He was,nonetheless, the de facto ruler of Johor, as his father was overseas most of the time.

A meek and quiet ruler, Sultan Ismail married two official wives who served as sultanahs of Johor. They were:

1. Ungku Tun Aminah binti Ungku Ahmad (d 1977)-died tragically in a road accident.
2. Tengku Nora binti Tengku Panglima Raja Ahmad

He was the first Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia when the institution was established.

Sultan Ismail who was an animal lover was known affectionately as "Lau Sultan" among the Chinese community in Johor meaning "Old Sultan".

He died on May 10, 1981 and was succeeded by his eldest son Sultan Iskandar.