A conveyor belt or belt conveyor consists of two end pulleys, with a continuous loop of material that rotates about them. The pulleys are powered, moving the belt and the material on the belt forward. Conveyor belts are extensively used to transport industrial and agricultural materials, such as grain, coal, ores, etc. Conveyor belts with regularly spaced partitions are often called elevator belts. Conveyor belts are used in self-unloading bulk freighters and in live bottom trucks. This technology is also used in conveyor transport such as moving sidewalks or escalators, as well as on many manufacturing assembly lines. Stores often have conveyor belts at the check-out counter to move shopping items. Ski areas also use conveyor belts to transport skiers up the hill.

In contrast, the moving floor system is a technology that uses reciprocating slats to move cargo through the floor. Also in contrast is a roller conveyor system, which uses a series of rotating rollers to convey boxes or pallets.

The longest conveyor belt in the world is in Western Sahara. It is 100 km long, from the phosphate mines of Bu Craa to the coast south of El-Aaiun. The longest Single Belt conveyor runs from Meghalaya in India to Sylhet in Bangladesh. It is 17 kms long and conveys Limestone and Shale.

Conveyor mechanisms are used as components in automated distribution and warehousing. In combination with computer controlled pallet handling equipment this allows for more efficient retail, wholesale, and manufacturing distribution. It is considered a labor saving system that allows large volumes to move rapidly through a process, allowing companies to ship or receive higher volumes with smaller storage space and with less labor expense.