Tensile stress (or tension) is the stress state leading to expansion (volume and/or length of a material tends to increase). In the uniaxial manner of tension, tensile stress is induced by pulling forces across a bar, specimen etc.

Structural members in direct tension are ropes, soil anchors and nails, bolts, etc. Beams subjected to bending moments may include tensile stress as well compressive stress and/or shear stress.

Tensile stress may be increased until the reach of tensile strength, namely the limit state of stress.

Tensile stress is the opposite of compressive stress.

See also: tension, shear stress, physics, tensile strength, strength of materials, Hooke's law.