Fabric properties can be conveniently divided into six different groups as given below:
- Structural Properties
- Mechanical Properties
- Comfort Related Transmission Properties
- Low-Stress Mechanical Properties
- Aesthetic Properties
- Other physical properties and end-use specific tests
1. Structural Properties
| Woven Fabrics | Knitted Fabrics | Nonwoven Fabrics |
| Warp & Weft linear density | Structure | Fibre orientation in web and bonding method. |
| Warp & weft twist levels | Yarn linear density | Fibre fineness |
| Warp & Weft thread densities (EPI/PPI) | Yarn Twist | Fibre Length |
| Warp & Weft crimp levels | Course & Wales per unit length | Fibre crimp |
| Cover Factor | Tightness Factor | Mass per unit area and uniformity |
| Mass per unit area | Mass per unit area | Fabric thickness or bulk density |
| Fabric thickness | Fabric thickness | |
| Fabric skew and bow | Spirality |
2. Mechanical Properties
These properties are related to utility performance and durability.
- Tensile Strength
- Tear strength
- Bursting strength
- Abrasion resistance
- Pilling resistance
- Snag resistance
- Fatigue (Tension, bending and shear)
3. Comfort Related Transmission Properties
- The flow of fluids, heat and electricity
- Air permeability
- Water vapour permeability
- Resistance to penetration of liquid water
- Resistance to the flow of heat
- Electrical conductivity
4. Low Stress Mechanical Properties
Related to handle and tailoring ability
- Tensile properties
- Compressional properties
- Bending properties
- Shear properties
- Buckling behaviour
- Roughness and frictional properties
5. Aesthetic Properties
- Drape
- Crease recovery
- Wrinkle recovery
6. Other physical properties and end-use specific tests
- Dimensional stability
- Flammability
- Impact tests
- Absorbency
- Delamination