List of sultans of Sulu

Sultans began ruling Sulu, a Sunni Muslim thalassocracy originating in today's Philippines, starting in the 15th century. Practically all of them were descended from the original sultan Sharif ul-Hāshim. The Ruma Bechara, the advisory council of Datus and Sharifs, had the responsibility of electing the next heir apparent (Raja Muda) from among the male-line heirs.

The sultanate began losing power during the 19th century, culminating in the abolition of the sultan's temporal powers in 1915. Since then, save for some instances of recognition by the Philippine government related to the North Borneo dispute, the title of sultan has carried with it no political powers or privileges and became mostly linked to non-sovereign cultural figures.