---
type: "fabric"
name: "French Terry"
slug: "french-terry"
fabric_family: "knit_weft"
construction: "weft_knit"
typical_fibers:
  - "Cotton"
  - "Cotton/Poly"
weight_gsm: "180–300 g/m²"
price_tier: 3
url: "https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/french-terry"
updated: "2025-09-08T02:11:41.15825+00:00"
---

# French Terry

French Terry is a soft, looped knit fabric that combines comfort and functionality, making it ideal for casual wear and active apparel.

- **Fabric Family**: Knit Weft
- **Construction**: Weft Knit
- **Typical Fibers**: Cotton, Cotton/Poly
- **Weight**: 180–300 g/m²
- **Thickness**: 0.8–1.5 mm
- **Typical Width**: 150 cm
- **Price Tier**: $$$ (3 of 5)

## About French Terry

French Terry is a type of weft knit fabric characterized by its unique construction, which features loops on one side and a smooth surface on the other. Typically made from cotton or cotton blends, this fabric offers excellent breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and a soft hand feel. It is commonly used in the production of sweatshirts, joggers, and loungewear due to its ability to provide warmth without excessive weight.

## Knit Properties

- **Wales per Inch**: 5
- **Courses per Inch**: 8
- **Knit Gauge**: 12G

## Stretch Properties

- **Warp Stretch**: 20%
- **Weft Stretch**: 30%

## Performance Properties

- **Air Permeability**: 20 CFM
- **Spray Rating**: 0
- **Evaporative Resistance (Ret)**: 0.5
- **Thermal Resistance (Rct)**: 0.1
- **UPF Rating**: 15

## Appearance & Hand

- **Luster**: Matte
- **Opacity**: Opaque
- **Surface Texture**: soft, looped
- **Hand & Drape**: Balanced

## Performance Features

- Moisture Wicking
- Stretch
- Wrinkle Resistance

## Common Finishes

- Pre Shrunk
- Brushed
- Anti Pilling

## Common Applications

- Sweatshirts
- Hoodies
- Activewear
- Loungewear
- Children'S Clothing

## Common Uses in Detail

### Sweatshirts & Hoodies

Its soft looped interior traps warmth while the smooth outer surface resists pilling, making it a go-to for sweatshirts and hoodies. The fabric's medium weight drapes well and holds its shape through repeated washing, ensuring lasting comfort.

### Activewear & Athleisure

Lightweight and breathable, French Terry wicks moisture away from the skin during low-to-moderate activity. Its four-way stretch and recovery make it popular for joggers, athletic shorts, and training jackets that move naturally with the body.

### Children's Clothing

Gentle against sensitive skin and easy to launder, it is widely used in children's everyday separates, rompers, and pajamas. Its durability stands up to active play and frequent washing, while the soft hand keeps young wearers comfortable all day.

## Care Instructions

Machine wash cold with like colors. Tumble dry low. Iron on low heat if necessary.

- Washing Machine Symbol
- Do Not Bleach
- Tumble Dry Low
- Iron Low Heat

## Additional Information

French Terry is popular for its versatility and comfort, making it a staple in athleisure and casual fashion. It is also favored for its ease of care and durability.

- **Regional Names**: Terry Cloth (US), French Terry (UK)
- **Sourcing Regions**: China, India, Turkey, Bangladesh
- **Testing Standards**: Pilling, Colorfastness to wash, Seam slippage, Tear strength

## Fibers in This Fabric

- [Cotton](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fibers/cotton.md)

## Similar Fabrics

- [Jersey](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/jersey.md) — Knit Weft
- [Pointelle](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/pointelle.md) — Knit Weft
- [Rib Knit](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/rib-knit.md) — Knit Weft
- [Sweatshirt Fleece](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/sweatshirt-fleece.md) — Knit Weft
- [Cable Knit Fabric](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/cable-knit-fabric.md) — Knit Weft

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*Source: [Fabric Atlas](https://www.fabricatlas.com/fabrics/french-terry) — HTML version of this page.*