V-belts loop around the pulleys (sheaves) of power transmission drives commonly used to power agricultural equipment, food conveyor systems, vending machines, treadmills, and automobiles. They have a V-shaped cross section and are trapezoidal in shape, wider at the top than the bottom.

A cross section is the V-belt profile and is consistent across manufacturers to help ensure compatibility with standard pulleys. Common cross sections are A, B, C, D, E, 3V, 5V, and 8V for single profile belts, and J, L, and M for ribbed profiles. V-belts are commonly made of rubber, which is highly elastic, and resists abrasion and impact, or polyurethane which is resistant to abrasion, oil, weather, ozone, heat, and tearing.

V-belts have various styles according to the application and specifications of the drive and pulleys they operate with. Standard belts have a classic flat-top, trapezoidal-shaped design, suitable for use with many drive styles. Banded V-belts are a collection of belts that perform as one belt to help minimize rollover and reduce vibration. Cogged belts have molded rubber notches (cogs) on the inner surface of the belt, for flexibility and air flow. Dual-sided belts have trapezoidal teeth on the top and bottom sides of the belt and are commonly used in drives requiring power transmission from one or both sides of the belt, or drives where the rotation changes direction as the belt travels around the pulleys in the drive.

The top width measures edge-to-edge on the top, or flat, side, including all ribs or individual bands, if applicable. The outer length measures along the outside circumference of the belt.