The G36C is the shortest and most compact version of the G36 and is considered a sub machine gun by some. The C stands for Compact, but is also incorrectly referred to as Commando. The G36C has a very short barrel and the short forearm only features two slots on each side. The G36C is available with a Picatinny rail with iron sights or with the dual sight unit and integrated carrying handle as used on the full size G36. The latter configuration is uncommon however. The G36C cannot be fitted with a bayonet or AG36 grenade launcher.

The G36K is a carbine version of the G36 assault rifle. While the full size G36 is mostly issued to infantry the G36K model is favored by special forces and law enforcement units. The K stands for Kurz, which is German for short. The G36K has a shorter barrel and the shorter forearm only has four slots on each side. The G36K comes with the same sight setups as the full size model. The G36K has the German dual sight setup and the G36KE has the Export sight setup. The G36KE has been redesignated G36KV and is available with export sights and Picatinny accessory rail. The G36K can be fitted with a AG36 grenade launcher, but cannot mount a bayonet or launch rifle grenades.

The G36 is a full size rifle and the version from which all variants were derived. The original G36 features the German dual sight units and the G36E is the version with the Export sight unit. The G36E has been redesignated G36V and is available with export sights or a Picatinny accessory rail. Late production versions feature additional Picatinny rails around the forearm for mounting accessories. The G36 is capable of mounting a bayonet, launching rifle grenades and can be fitted with the AG36 under barrel grenade launcher.

The MG36 is a light machine gun based on the G36 rifle. The MG36 is a G36 with that is fitted with a bipod, uses the 100 round C-mag and features a barrel that his slightly thicker. The barrel is not of a quick change design. The MG36 features the German dual sight unit and the MG36E features the export sight unit. Since the MG36 wasn't capable of providing a substantially larger volume of fire over the original G36 the MG36 was of little value. Only limited quantities have been produced and production ceased soon with the introduction of the MG4.