The term shrapnel is often incorrectly used to refer to fragments produced by any explosive weapon. However, a shrapnel shell functions differently than a high explosive shell. A shrapnel shell consists of a shell casing filled with steel or lead balls, with a small explosive charge at the base of the shell and a nose fuse. When the projectile is fired, it travels a pre-set distance before the fuse ignites the explosive charge (often black powder) in the base of the shell. The fuse also typically fractures the nose of the shell to open a path for the balls. Upon ignition, the explosive charge shoots the balls from the shell in a forward cone.[1] The casing of a shrapnel shell does not fragment like a high explosive shell, thus, technically, the balls shot from the shrapnel shell are "shrapnel" whereas the pieces of shattered shell casing of a high explosive shell are "fragments" or "splinters." [2]

Satu lagi peluru artileri yang menyerupai shrapnel adalah kanister, kadang kala digelar case shot. Kanister adalah kepingan logam ringkas yang diisi dengan bebola keluli atau plambum. Apabila ditembak, kelonsong terserpih ketika ia keluar dari laras senjata dan menyebar bebola dari mucung senjata seperti senapang patah.[1] Perbezaan amalan antara kanister dan shrapnel adalah kanister hanya berkesan pada jarak dekat (kurang dari 200 ela/183m),[3] manakala peluru shrapnel mampu bergerak beratus meter jauh sebelum fius mengaktifkan caj letupan, dengan itu boleh berkesan pada jarak lebih jauh.