Leather Origins and Making
What Animal Is Leather Made From? Usually a Cow
About 65% of leather comes from cattle. See why most leather is cowhide, what calfskin, kip and full-grain mean on labels, and when it is another animal.
Usually a cow. Cattle hides make up about 65% of all leather produced. Sheep, goats and pigs supply most of the rest, and the full list of species is in our guide to which animals leather comes from.
This page is part of our guide to where leather comes from and how it is made.
Why most leather is cow leather
Cowhide is a product of the food industry: the hides come from cattle raised for beef and dairy. Each hide is large, which is why the trade calls cattle skins "hides" rather than "skins". US farm economists also find hides are by far the most valuable slaughter by-product.
Those big hides suit big cuts. Hides go mainly into footwear, upholstery and leather goods.
Cow leather names you will see on labels
More on cattle hides themselves, including hair-on hides and grading, is in what cow hides are.
| Label word | What it means | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Cowhide | Leather made from the skin of a cow | – |
| Calfskin, calf | Leather from a calf; soft, fine-grained and durable | – |
| Kip | Hide of immature cattle, between a calf skin and a hide | – |
| Full-grain | Keeps the whole grain layer; usually considered the highest quality | – |
| Split, suede | The lower layer of the hide, or its napped underside | – |
Is cow leather good quality?
The animal tells you less than the grade. Full-grain leather, from cows or other animals, is usually considered the highest quality. "Genuine leather" is not a grade and often means heavily processed split leather. One jacket maker describes cowhide as firmer, suiting biker and cafe racer cuts, and sheepskin or lambskin as softer with more drape.
Leather Collection makes its riding gear from cowhide leather, with kangaroo as an option on some suits.
When it is not a cow
Sheep supply about 13% of leather, goats about 11% and pigs about 10%. Everything else, from horse to ostrich, adds up to only a fraction of a percent. If a label says faux, PU or vinyl, no animal is involved; see what leather is made from.
FAQ
Is leather made from cows?
Most of it is. About 65% of leather comes from cattle hides.
Do we get leather from snakes?
Yes. Snake, alligator and crocodile skins are used for their scale patterns, and these species are hunted and farmed partly for their skins.
HitKB Editorial Team
HitKB articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.