Can I give zakat to orphans?

Need, not orphanhood, is the condition

The Quran lists the people who can receive zakat: the poor, the needy, those in debt, stranded travelers and a few others (Quran 9:60). Orphans aren't a separate group on that list, but most orphans in poor countries clearly fall under "the poor" and "the needy". See Who can receive zakat?

On the other hand, an orphan who inherited a large estate, or who is well supported by a wealthy family, isn't eligible. In that case, help them with gifts or voluntary charity instead.

Orphans in the Quran

Allah praises the righteous for feeding others even when they love the food themselves:

Caring for orphans comes up again and again in the Quran, and the Prophet ﷺ was an orphan himself.

Giving to the guardian

• Hand it to the guardian: a parent, grandparent, relative or charity caring for the child can receive zakat on the orphan's behalf and spend it on food, clothing, school and medical needs.
• Hanafi point: zakat has to become someone's property (tamlik), so give it to the guardian for the child rather than paying for a vague "orphan project".
• Relatives: you can give zakat to orphaned nieces, nephews or cousins, since you aren't usually obliged to support them. Zaynab, the wife of Ibn Mas'ud, asked if she could spend on her husband and the orphans in her care. The Prophet ﷺ said she would get two rewards: for kinship and for charity (Sahih al-Bukhari 1466).
• Your own children or grandchildren: no zakat, even if their parent has died, because you're responsible for them.

Through a charity

Many UK and US charities run orphan sponsorship that accepts zakat. Ask if they keep zakat in a separate fund and check that the children are poor. You don't need to tell a guardian it's zakat. See Do I have to tell the person it's zakat? If you're torn between a local orphan and one abroad, see Should I give zakat locally or abroad?