Abstract: Pilling is a fabric surface defect caused by regular wear-cleaning cycles. Assessment of the pilling on the fabric surface is done in subjective manner visually by experts. This paper presents a method of objective assessment of pilling on the fabric surface, employing a system designed for non-contact capture of the pilling profile on fabric surface. The results obtained from the proposed method are validated by direct measurement of pill parameters on stereo microscope, as correlation studies indicate correlation coefficient value more than 0.90. Five fabric samples with widely different physical properties were used in the pilling study Statistical analysis proves reliability of the pilling measurement by the new method and supportive role it offers to the subjective assessment by experts.