Provided is a general purpose engine that has a small external appearance and can be placed in a stable posture even when inverted, and whereby labels attached to the upper surface thereof can be protected. The general purpose engine 1 comprises a shroud 4 covering an engine main body. The shroud 4 includes: a top cover 2 arranged in an upper section of the general purpose engine 1; and a bottom cover 3 arranged in a lower section of the general purpose engine 1. The top cover 2 has a pair of bridges 20, 20 formed so as to protrude from the upper surface of the top cover 2, constituting the apex of the top cover 2 and continually extending from the front surface of the top cover 2 to the rear surface thereof, across the upper surface.