As of 2015, the museum's collection includes over 500,000 pieces.
The collection includes correspondences, documents, equipment, maps, medals, military art, military vehicles, and military uniforms.
Approximately 2,000 images from the museum's collection are used throughout the museum exhibits; although 500 of these images are enlarged images of originals.
All items not part of a travelling exhibition, or on loan are presently housed in a storage area in the museum building.
From 1982 to 2004, items not on display were stored in off-site facilities; with the Dominion Archives' Trophy Building used as storage from 1967 to 1983, and Vimy House used as storage from 1983 to 2004.
During the 20th century, archival materials belonging to the war museum was also held in a warehouse in ByWard Market.
On average, the museum receives 700 offers for donations a year, including individual items or large collections; although, the museum only accepts 100 to 150 of these offers annually.
 However, Canadian service medals and medals of valour are accepted by the museum unconditionally, as an "act of honouring".

The museum's collection originated from the artifacts and archival materials originally held at Cartier Square Military Museum in 1880; including an assortment of weapons; a bell from HMS Neptune, the flagship for Admiral Charles Saunders during the 1759 siege of Quebec; and the colours for the Royal Highland Emigrants, and various units from the War of 1812.
The collection grew in size during the First World War, with materials from the war transported back to Canada.
Following the end of World War II in Europe, the museum dispatched its first collections acquisition team to the Netherlands and Allied-occupied Germany to acquire a large number of German military equipment.
During the Cold War, the museum's collection continued to expand with the Canadian Armed Forces transferring its obsolete equipment, as well as examples of enemy equipment to the museum.
During the 1990s, the museum also began to acquire a number of materials as gifts from several post-Soviet states.

In 1994, the museum's collection held approximately 6,550 posters; with 3,770 posters originating from Canada, 692 from the United Kingdom, 612 from the United States, and the remaining from a vareity of countries in Europe, and Australia.
In 2019, 39 of the 99 Victoria Crosses that were awarded to Canadians are held in the collections of the Canadian War Museum.
As of 2015, the museum's collection includes over 500,000 pieces. The collection includes correspondences, documents, equipment, maps, medals, military art, military vehicles, and military uniforms. Approximately 2,000 images from the museum's collection are used throughout the museum exhibits; although 500 of these images are enlarged images of originals. All items not part of a travelling exhibition, or on loan are presently housed in a storage area in the museum building. From 1982 to 2004, items not on display were stored in off-site facilities; with the Dominion Archives' Trophy Building used as storage from 1967 to 1983, and Vimy House used as storage from 1983 to 2004. During the 20th century, archival materials belonging to the war museum was also held in a warehouse in ByWard Market. On average, the museum receives 700 offers for donations a year, including individual items or large collections; although, the museum only accepts 100 to 150 of these offers annually.  However, Canadian service medals and medals of valour are accepted by the museum unconditionally, as an "act of honouring".
The museum's collection originated from the artifacts and archival materials originally held at Cartier Square Military Museum in 1880; including an assortment of weapons; a bell from HMS Neptune, the flagship for Admiral Charles Saunders during the 1759 siege of Quebec; and the colours for the Royal Highland Emigrants, and various units from the War of 1812. The collection grew in size during the First World War, with materials from the war transported back to Canada. Following the end of World War II in Europe, the museum dispatched its first collections acquisition team to the Netherlands and Allied-occupied Germany to acquire a large number of German military equipment. During the Cold War, the museum's collection continued to expand with the Canadian Armed Forces transferring its obsolete equipment, as well as examples of enemy equipment to the museum. During the 1990s, the museum also began to acquire a number of materials as gifts from several post-Soviet states.
In 1994, the museum's collection held approximately 6,550 posters; with 3,770 posters originating from Canada, 692 from the United Kingdom, 612 from the United States, and the remaining from a vareity of countries in Europe, and Australia. In 2019, 39 of the 99 Victoria Crosses that were awarded to Canadians are held in the collections of the Canadian War Museum.
Canadian War Museum