Quick answer: in the keffiyeh vs shemagh question, the two names describe the same kind of cloth: a square scarf traditionally worn on the head in the Middle East. The difference is mostly regional and cultural. People usually say keffiyeh (or kufiya) for the black-and-white Palestinian scarf, and shemagh for the red-and-white or earth-toned versions often sold for outdoor use.
The confusion is understandable, because one cloth has many names. This guide explains each term, where it is used, how the patterns differ and what to look for when you buy one, so you know what you are buying and what you are wearing.
Keffiyeh vs shemagh at a glance
| Name | Where you will hear it | Typical look |
|---|---|---|
| Keffiyeh / kufiya | Palestine, and the most common English term worldwide | Black-and-white fishnet and olive-leaf pattern |
| Hatta | The Levant, including Palestine and Jordan | Black-and-white or red-and-white check |
| Ghutra | The Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia | Often plain white, worn with an agal |
| Shemagh | English-speaking countries, especially for outdoor and military use | Red-and-white, black-and-white or earth tones |
What is a keffiyeh (kufiya)?
Keffiyeh is the most widely used English word for this scarf. The Arabic word is kufiya, and you will also see the spellings keffiyah and kuffiyeh. All of them mean the same cloth.
In English, keffiyeh now most often means the black-and-white scarf associated with Palestinian identity. It has been worn by Palestinian farmers for generations, and it became a national symbol in the twentieth century. If you want the full story, read our guide to the meaning and history of the keffiyeh.
What is a shemagh?
Shemagh is the English word you will see most often on outdoor and military gear. Forces that served in the Middle East in the twentieth century wore the cloth for protection from sun, dust and wind, and it is still used that way today. A shemagh usually means a square cloth in red-and-white, black-and-white or earth-toned patterns.
It is the same basic garment. Retailers tend to use the word shemagh for outdoor use and keffiyeh when the scarf is worn as a cultural or fashion piece.
What is a ghutra?
Ghutra is the usual Gulf name for the head cloth, and it is linked to an Arabic root meaning to cover. It is often plain white, and it is traditionally held in place with an agal, the black cord ring worn on top. Red-and-white versions are also common in the region. Ghutra and keffiyeh are the same type of cloth with a regional name, and a different look depending on country and occasion.
What is a hatta?
Hatta is a common name in the Levant, including among Palestinians and Jordanians. In everyday speech it can mean the black-and-white or the red-and-white check cloth.
Why the colors matter
The colors are where the names carry real meaning:
- Black-and-white: widely associated with Palestinians and with Palestinian identity.
- Red-and-white: widely associated with Jordan, where it is a national symbol, and worn mostly in Jordan and by Bedouin communities.
- Plain white: common in the Gulf as part of traditional dress, usually worn with an agal.
- Earth tones (tan, olive, black): mostly seen on outdoor and tactical shemaghs.
These are associations, not strict rules, and people wear all of them for many reasons. If you are wearing one as a statement of solidarity, the black-and-white version is the one most people recognize.
How each version is usually worn
Because the cloth is the same shape, the same folds work across all of them, but the traditions around wearing it differ:
- Palestine and the Levant: often worn as a scarf around the neck or shoulders today, and traditionally on the head, folded into a triangle.
- Jordan: the red-and-white shemagh is commonly worn on the head, often held with an agal.
- The Gulf: the ghutra is worn on the head as part of traditional dress, usually with an agal.
- Outdoors and abroad: shemaghs are often wrapped around the neck, or over the face and head for dust, sun and wind.
How to tell what you are buying
Product names are not always consistent, so look at the details rather than the label alone:
- Check the colors. Black-and-white usually means a keffiyeh. Red-and-white usually means a shemagh or hatta.
- Check the shape and size. A traditional cloth is square. Some scarves sold under the same name are long rectangles.
- Read the product description. Look for the fabric, the size and how the seller says it should be used.
- Look at the pattern. A traditional keffiyeh shows a fishnet field with olive-leaf bands and a bolder border.
Common mix-ups
- Keffiyeh vs bandana: a bandana is usually smaller and often has a different pattern, so the two are not interchangeable.
- Keffiyeh vs scarf: a keffiyeh is a particular kind of cloth, and a general scarf is any neck covering. A keffiyeh can be worn as a scarf.
- Keffiyeh vs Palestinian scarf: in everyday shopping these usually mean the same thing.
How to choose between a keffiyeh and a shemagh
- For cultural or solidarity wear: choose a black-and-white keffiyeh.
- For traditional Gulf dress: look for a ghutra, usually with an agal.
- For hiking, driving or windy weather: a shemagh in a practical color works, and so does any keffiyeh worn as a neck wrap.
Our guide to how to tie a keffiyeh shows five styles with diagrams that work for any of them.
Where to find a keffiyeh
Our Everyday Palestinian Keffiyeh comes in the traditional black-and-white pattern and costs $14.45. Profits from every order go to food aid for families in Gaza. You can also browse the full keffiyeh collection.
Frequently asked questions
Is a keffiyeh the same as a shemagh?
They are the same kind of cloth. Keffiyeh is the usual word for the Palestinian black-and-white scarf, while shemagh is the English word most often used for outdoor and military versions.
Is a kufiya the same as a keffiyeh?
Yes. Kufiya is the Arabic form of the word, and keffiyeh is the common English spelling. You may also see keffiyah.
What is the difference between a keffiyeh and a ghutra?
Both are head cloths. Ghutra is the Gulf name, and it is often plain white and worn with an agal. Keffiyeh usually means the black-and-white patterned scarf associated with Palestine.
What is the red-and-white version called?
It is often called a shemagh in English and a hatta or ghutra in Arabic-speaking regions. It is widely associated with Jordan.
Can I wear either one the same way?
Yes. They are the same shape, so the same wraps and folds work. See our how to tie a keffiyeh guide for step-by-step styles.