Kerns is a municipality in the canton of Obwalden in Switzerland. It has a population of 5300 of which 300 are of foreign nationality (2000).

There are 380 local businesses which employ 1300 people. 28% of these are in the agricultural sector, 32% in trade and industry, 40% in services.

The main sights of Kerns are: chapel St. Niklausen, an old bridge (Hohe Brücke), and the pilgrimage church Melchtal.