Pterostichinae is a subfamily of ground beetles (family Carabidae).

It belongs to the advanced harpaline assemblage, and if these are circumscribed sensu lato as a single subfamily, Pterostichinae are downranked to a tribe Pterostichini.

However, as the former Pterostichitae[verification needed] supertribe of the Harpalinae as loosely circumscribed does seem to constitute a lineage rather distinct from Harpalus, its core group is here considered to be the present subfamily and the Harpalinae are defined more narrowly.

Coloration is typically dark and without conspicuous patterns, but often with a strong sheen like polished metal.

Unlike the more basal ground beetles which only eat small animals, the Pterostichinae include a large proportion of omnivorous or even herbivorous taxa.