Paul James may refer to:

• Paul James (academic) (born 1958), professor and writer on globalization and social theory
• Paul James (actor) (born 1981), American actor
• Paul James (basketball) (born 1964), British professional basketball player and coach
• Paul James (Canadian musician) (born 1951), blues guitarist
• Paul James (gardener), host of American television program Gardening by the Yard
• Paul James (rugby union) (born 1982), Wales international rugby union player
• Paul James (soccer) (born 1963), Canadian association football (soccer) player and coach
• Paul James (sportscaster) (1931–2018), American sports announcer
• Paul James, a pen name used by American banker James Warburg (1896–1969) when writing songs with his wife, Kay Swift
• Paul James, British writer; creator of the comedy character Constance, Lady Crabtree
• Paul Moon James (1780–1854), English banker and lawyer