---
title: "Corduroy"
description: "Corduroy is a durable woven fabric with a cut pile arranged in parallel ribs, called wales, running the length of the cloth."
type: Glossary
url: https://teazle.art/glossary/corduroy
published: 2026-10-14
updated: 2026-10-14
author: "The Teazle editors"
---

# Corduroy

*Corduroy is a durable woven fabric with a cut pile arranged in parallel ribs, called wales, running the length of the cloth.*

Corduroy is a weft-[pile](https://teazle.art/glossary/pile.md) fabric: extra weft threads float over the ground and are later cut, standing up in rounded ribs. The width of the ribs is counted in wales per inch, from fine needlecord to wide jumbo cord.

## How is it related to velvet?

Both are pile fabrics, but [velvet](https://teazle.art/glossary/velvet.md) usually has its pile in the warp and spread evenly, while corduroy’s weft pile is arranged in ridges. Like velvet, it has a [nap](https://teazle.art/glossary/nap.md), so all pieces must be cut in the same direction.


## Sources

1. [Corduroy (AAT 300014080)](http://vocab.getty.edu/page/aat/300014080). Getty Art & Architecture Thesaurus
2. [Corduroy (Q1132110)](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1132110). Wikidata

Canonical: https://teazle.art/glossary/corduroy