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Cotton Duck vs Canvas — What's the Difference?
In strict use, cotton duck is a tightly, firmly plain-woven cotton, while canvas is a broader term that also covers basket weaves and coarser plain constructions. Duck is denser and firmer at the same weight. In practice the trade uses the two words interchangeably, and both run from light bag weights to heavy cover weights. If a spec matters, it is the construction and weight that define the cloth, not the name.
| Cotton duck | Cotton canvas | |
|---|---|---|
| Weave | Tight plain, single-fill or 2-ply | Plain or basket, often coarser |
| Hand at same weight | Firmer, denser | Slightly softer, more open |
| Typical weight | 5–19 oz (170–640 g/m²) | 6–24 oz (220–800 g/m²) |
| Grading | Numbered / army-duck scale used | Usually oz or g/m² only |
| Common uses | Bags, footwear, artist canvas, luggage | Tents, tarpaulins, upholstery, heavy covers |
Choose Cotton duck
You want a firm, even, dense cloth, a numbered spec, or an artist / footwear grade.
Choose Cotton canvas
You want the heaviest weights, a basket weave, or a wide cover / structure cloth.
Common questions
Is duck stronger than canvas?
At the same weight and yarn, a tight plain-weave duck is firmer and more abrasion-resistant than a coarser or basket-weave canvas, because more yarn crossings carry the load. Compare the construction (ends × picks) and weight, not the names — a heavy canvas easily out-performs a light duck.
Which numbered duck matches a given ounce weight?
Roughly: No. 12 ≈ 11.5 oz, No. 10 ≈ 14.75 oz, No. 8 ≈ 18 oz, No. 4 ≈ 24 oz — the scale runs backwards, lower number is heavier. We confirm the exact construction behind any number at RFQ.
Related fabrics
Where this choice comes up
Not sure which fits your spec? Send us the end use and we will recommend one.