The rail profile is the cross sectional shape of a railway rail, perpendicular to the length of the rail. In all but very early cast rails a rail is hot rolled steel profile of a specific shape or cross section (an asymmetrical I-beam) designed for use as the fundamental component of railway track. Unlike some other uses of iron and steel, railway rails are subject to very high stresses and have to be made of very high quality steel. It took many decades to improve the quality of the materials, including the change from iron to steel. Minor flaws in the steel that pose no problems in reinforcing rods for buildings, can, however, lead to broken rails and dangerous derailments when used on railway tracks.

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