Ampharetidae are a family of terebellid "bristle worm" (class Polychaeta).

[2] Almost all are (like polychaetes in general) marine organisms; some inhabit brackish or freshwater though.

Most are smallish deposit feeders which frequently live in small tubes they build from mud or similar substrate, or burrow in the sand.

In 2001, Rouse and Pleijel divided the Ampharetidae into three subfamilies: the large Ampharetinae, the much smaller Melinninae, and the monotypic Uschakovinae.

[3] Also, there are some ampharetid genera incertae sedis or in a quite basal position: As of late 2021, the World Register of Marine Species recognizes the following subdivisions:[1]