In materials science, hardness is a measure of the resistance to localized plastic deformation, such as an indentation or a scratch (linear), induced mechanically either by pressing or abrasion. In general, different materials differ in their hardness; for example hard metals such as titanium and beryllium are harder than soft metals such as sodium and metallic tin, or wood and common plastics. Macroscopic hardness is generally characterized by strong intermolecular bonds, but the behavior of solid materials under force is complex; therefore, hardness can be measured in different ways, such as scratch hardness, indentation hardness, and rebound hardness. Hardness is dependent on ductility, elastic stiffness, plasticity, strain, strength, toughness, viscoelasticity, and viscosity. Common examples of hard matter are ceramics, concrete, certain metals, and superhard materials, which can be contrasted with soft matter.

कठोरता (Hardness) किसी ठोस का वह गुण है जिससे पता चलता है कि उस पर बल लगाने पर उसे स्थायी रूप से विकृत करने की कितनी सम्भावना है। सामान्यतः अधिक कठोर ठोस वह होता है जिसमें अन्तराणविक बल अधिक मजबूत होगा। कठोरता किसी material की वह property हैं जिसके कारण वह खुरचे जाने और कटे जाने का विरोध करता हैं। कठोर पदार्थों के कुछ उदाहरण : सिरामिक (ceramics), कंक्रीट (concrete), कुछ धातुएँ तथा अतिकठोर पदार्थ।