How to Distinguish Real Leather from Fake Leather

Before we dive into how to distinguish real leather from fake leather, let's take a few lines to summarize the different types of leather (both real and fake) you might encounter.

**Real leather**, which can be either top grain or full grain, is the real deal if you're looking for an authentic piece. For those wondering what it's made of, real leather is made from animal hide. Cowhide is the most common, but real leather can be made from any animal hide, including buffalo, deer, crocodile, and ostrich.

**REAL LEATHER**

**What is genuine leather?** The term "genuine leather" can be misleading. While genuine leather and real leather may sound like the same thing, they are not. Products labeled as genuine leather are often the lowest grade of leather. They are typically made using scraps of leather, like bonded leather, and may only contain a small percentage of real leather.


**FAKE LEATHER**

Fake leather is faux leather. It is made using synthetic materials designed to imitate the look and feel of leather.

However, many fake leather manufacturers use some misleading terms to label their products. Instead of clearly stating that the product is fake or faux leather, you may see some of these other terms used:

* Vegan leather
* PU Leather
* Pleather
* Leatherette
* Synthetic Leather
* Piñatex Leather

**HOW TO TELL IF A PRODUCT IS REAL LEATHER**

Use the steps outlined below to help you determine if a particular product is truly made from real leather.


**LOOK AT THE APPEARANCE**

Another way to tell the difference and decide if something is real or fake is to check its appearance. For example, if you take a close look at a leather pen case, you can often spot fake leather or a machine-made piece. Real grained leather has natural imperfections, rough edges, and a unique texture. On the other hand, fake leather usually has a more consistent pattern, perfect edges, and a more uniform texture.

[Image of Real leather vs fake leather appearance]


**FEEL THE TEXTURE**

Feeling the material can also be a good indicator of whether you're looking at real leather or something made from synthetic materials. Real leather will feel rough. When you press on it with your hand, it should wrinkle and move, just like your own skin. Fake leather will have a different texture and won't flex or pass the wrinkle test when you press on it.

[Image of Real leather vs fake leather texture]


**PAY ATTENTION TO THE SMELL**

Real leather has a distinct aroma, so a smell test can also be helpful when trying to tell the difference. To determine if the leather is real, smell it. Real leather should have a noticeable, natural scent that smells like skin. Fake leather will smell quite different—either odorless, like chemicals, or plasticy.

[Image of Real leather vs fake leather smell]


**OTHER THINGS YOU CAN CHECK**

Here are a few other things you can check to understand the difference between real and fake leather:

**Price:** The price tag can also help you assess whether a product is made from real leather. Real leather is more expensive due to its superior quality and the craftsmanship required to produce it.

**Water test:** The water test can also be helpful. Real leather (not water-resistant) will absorb a few drops of water. Fake leather, on the other hand, will repel it.

**Check the back of the leather:** If possible, look at the back of the leather. If it's fake leather, the back may look like paper or fabric. The back of authentic leather will usually be a slightly different color from the finished side. It may also be smooth or rough, but it won't look like paper or a completely different type of material.

**CONCLUSION: REAL LEATHER VS FAKE LEATHER**

After reading the steps shared above, do you think you can now tell the difference between real leather and fake leather? It's certainly possible to identify leather and determine if it's real. Give yourself some time to practice and develop your skills; you'll soon be a pro at distinguishing real from fake leather.


**FAQs:**

**WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GENUINE AND REAL LEATHER?**

Real leather is 100% authentic leather made from animal hide, such as full grain or top grain leather. Genuine leather is a lower grade that typically contains only a small percentage of authentic leather.

**HOW TO TELL LEATHER QUALITY?**

Full grain and top grain leather are considered the highest quality of leather. You can identify these leather grades by examining the leather's appearance, texture, and smell, as explained above.

**WHAT IS FAKE LEATHER?**

Fake leather products are not made using animal hides. They are typically made using a man-made material, including different types