Directional control valve that controls the flow direction of hydraulic fluid in hydraulic systems. Features structures such as 4-port 3-position, 4-port 2-position, and 3-port 2-position configurations to switch the operating direction of hydraulic cylinders and motors. Available in electromagnetic operation, pilot operation, and manual operation types, used for boom and arm control in construction machinery, feed axis control in machine tools, vertical motion control in press machines, and clamp control in injection molding machines. Includes structural types such as spool valves, poppet valves, and rotary valves, and unlike flow control valves and pressure control valves, this hydraulic valve specializes primarily in hydraulic flow path switching functions.