The Essential Mary Chapin Carpenter is the second compilation album by American singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter, released by Columbia Records on November 4, 2003.

Unlike Carpenter's first compilation album, Party Doll and Other Favorites (1999), which comprised a mix of studio and live versions of her greatest hits, The Essential Mary Chapin Carpenter features the original studio versions only.

AllMusic rated the collection 4-out-of-5-stars, writing: "While the majority of these tracks are also included on Party Doll and Other Favorites, the difference is Essential contains the radio versions, not alternate takes or live tracks.

Both discs are recommended to fans of Carpenter's modern folk/country hybrid.

"[1] Barnes & Noble stated: "It's a challenge to summarize Mary Chapin Carpenter's deep catalogue on one disc, but this Essential release does a fine job of surveying the impressive range and sophistication of the singer-songwriter's music over the past decade-plus.