When the Tiger I was introduced in the late summer of 1942, Germany for the first time had a tank that was unequivocally the most powerful in the world. It originated from a pre-war proposal for a heavy breakthrough tank although priority was given to the mediums (PzKpfw III and IV) until it was realized that they were vulnerable to heavier Allied tanks (especially the Soviet T-34 and KV series). To counteract this, the Tiger was armed with the dreaded 88-mm gun, the first instance of the powerful anti-tank gun mounted on a self-propelled platform. Armor protection was also formidable at 100 mm maximum on the hull (even heavier on the huge mantlet). This made the Tiger nearly invulnerable from the front, despite the relatively simple hull and turret design that was not well sloped. Unfortunately, the Tiger I suffered from poor range and a the complex suspension and wheels often had problems, particularly in winter. Other drawbacks included a slow speed that allowed it to be outflanked by faster Allied tanks, as well as slow turret traverse. Despite this, the Tiger gained a formidable reputation, and was probably the most feared German tank of the war since it was first encountered on the Eastern Front and in Tunisia in 1942. These were generally employed in individual heavy tank battalions but sometimes were attached to Panzer divisions (mostly SS). It's reputation was enhanced after certain memorable combat actions such as Michael Wittmann's destruction of 14 British tanks in the Battle of Villers-Bocage after D-Day. They remained in service throughout the remainder of the war even though production ended in 1944 in favor of the Tiger II.

Early prototypes were known as the DW I and DW II, developed in 1937. The latter was subsequently refined into the VK3001(H) which was first tested in early 1940. This was subsequently abandoned in favor of the heavier VK3601, itself readapted into the VK4501(H) built by Henschel; an alternative prototype being the VK4501(P) built by Porsche. Hitler chose the former for production as the PzKpfw VI Tiger Ausf H (SdKfz 182). It was later redesignated Ausf E (SdKfz 181) with minor modifications. Late versions were characterized by all-steel wheels as well as persicope-equipped cupolas, and some had Zimmerit anti-maginetic mine paste added. Other versions included the Sturmmörser Tiger assault rocket mortar, while already built Porsche prototypes were adapted into the Ferdinand (later Elephant) tank destroyers that are described separately.