Velvet fabric is a type of woven tufted fabric  in which the cut threads are very evenly distributed, with a short dense pile, giving it a distinct feel.

Velvet can be made from many different kinds of fibers. It is woven on a special that weaves two pieces of velvet at the same time. The two pieces are then cut apart and the two lengths of fabric are wound on separate take-up rolls. Velvet was very expensive and was among the luxury goods. Velvet is difficult to clean, but in modern times, is used.

Velvet pile is created by warp or vertical yarns and velveteen pile is created by weft or fill yarns.

 results in a slightly less luxurious fabric. More recently, synthetic velvets have been developed, mostly , , , , and mixtures of different synthetics, or synthetics and natural fibers (eg. viscose and silk). Velvet can also be made from fibers such as , , and . A cloth made by the people of the from is often referred to as .

A small percentage of is used sometimes to give stretch.