Leather Terminology Guide (A–Z for Beginners)
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If you're new to leathercraft, understanding the language of leather makes everything easier — from choosing the right material to following tutorials and buying with confidence.
If you're just getting started, you may also find our Leather Thickness Guide helpful when choosing the right material.
This A–Z leather terminology guide explains the most common leather terms in simple, practical language. Whether you're working with leather scraps and remnants, upholstery leather, or vegetable-tanned leather, this glossary will help you understand what you're working with.
Jump to: A | B | C | D | F | G | H | L | N | O | P | R | S | T | V | W
A
Aniline Dyed
Leather dyed with transparent dyes and no surface pigments. This allows the natural grain, markings, and character of the hide to remain visible. Typically found in higher-quality leather.
Armour Leather
Heavy vegetable-tanned leather used for rigid applications such as armour, belts, and structured leather goods.
B
Belly
The lower section of the hide. It is softer and more stretchy, often used for smaller or flexible leathercraft projects.
Buffed
Leather that has been sanded or abraded to remove imperfections or alter the surface texture.
C
Calf
Leather made from young cattle. Known for its smooth grain and softer feel.
Chrome Tanned
Leather tanned using chromium salts. It is soft, flexible, and commonly used for upholstery, garments, and footwear.
Combination Tanned
Leather that has been tanned using both chrome and vegetable tanning methods to combine durability and flexibility.
Corrected Grain
Leather where the natural grain has been sanded and embossed with a uniform pattern. It has a more consistent appearance than full-grain leather.
Cowhide
Leather made from adult cattle. Durable, versatile, and widely used across many leathercraft applications including leather scraps.
Crocking
The transfer of dye from leather onto other surfaces due to rubbing or friction.
Crust
Leather that has been tanned but not yet finished or treated with dyes and coatings.
D
Distressed Leather
Leather intentionally treated to give an aged, worn, or vintage appearance.
Drum Dyed
Leather dyed in rotating drums to achieve deep, even colour penetration throughout the material.
F
Flesh Side
The underside of the leather hide. Typically rougher in texture compared to the grain side.
Full Grain
The highest quality leather that retains the natural grain layer. Known for durability and developing a natural patina over time. Not sure if it's right for your project? See our guide to choosing the right leather.
Finish
The final surface treatment applied to leather, affecting its appearance, feel, and resistance to wear.
G
Grain
The outer surface of the leather, where the hair once grew. It contains natural patterns and pores unique to each hide.
Good Hand
A term used to describe leather that feels soft, smooth, and pleasant to the touch.
H
Hide
The raw skin of a large animal, such as a cow, before or after tanning.
Hair Cell Grain
Visible pores on the leather surface that indicate natural grain and authenticity.
L
Latigo
Durable leather often used for straps, belts, and outdoor applications. Typically combination tanned.
Leather
A material made by tanning animal hides to create a durable, flexible product used in crafts, upholstery, and goods.
N
Natural Grain
Leather that retains its original surface without sanding or correction, similar to full grain leather.
Nubuck
Leather that has been lightly sanded on the grain side to create a soft, velvet-like texture.
O
Oil Tanned
Leather treated with oils to create a soft, flexible, and often water-resistant material.
P
Patina
A natural sheen and colour change that develops over time with use and exposure.
Pigment Finish
Leather coated with pigments for a more uniform colour and increased durability.
Pebble Grain
A textured leather surface with a raised, pebbled pattern.
Pull-up Leather
Leather that lightens in colour when stretched or bent due to oil movement within the fibres.
R
Rawhide
Untanned animal hide that has been dried but not processed into leather.
Re-tanned
Leather that undergoes an additional tanning process to enhance its properties.
S
Semi-Aniline
Leather that is primarily dyed but has a light protective coating for durability.
Side
Half of a hide, typically including shoulder and belly sections.
Suede
Leather with a soft, brushed surface created from the underside of the hide.
Suede Split
Leather made from the lower layers of the hide after splitting.
T
Tanning
The process of treating raw hides to turn them into durable, non-decomposing leather. Learn more in our guide to leather tanning.
Top Grain
The upper layer of leather, after sanding or processing, offering a balance of durability and uniform appearance.
Temper
The firmness or softness of leather, ranging from soft and flexible to firm and rigid.
V
Vegetable Tanned
Leather tanned using natural plant extracts. Known for its firmness, tooling ability, and natural ageing. Explore our vegetable-tanned leather collection.
W
Water-Resistant Leather
Leather treated to repel water through oils or waxes.
Waxed Leather
Leather finished with waxes or oils to enhance durability and create a rich surface texture.
Final Thoughts
Understanding leather terminology makes it easier to choose the right material and get better results in your projects. As you work more with leather, these terms will become second nature.
Ready to start working with leather? Explore our leather scraps and remnants, ideal for beginners and small projects.