Cold rolled steel sheet is, essentially, hot rolled steel that has been further processed to increase its strength and strength-to-weight ratio. In general, cold rolled steel sheet can hold tighter tolerances than hot rolled when machined or otherwise fabricated, and provides a better overall surface finish.

In cold rolling, steel sheet is cooled at room temperature (after hot rolling), and is then annealed and/or tempers rolled. Although “cold rolled steel” is a specific type of steel, the term is often used to mean all types of carbon steel materials.