Abstract: A web alignment apparatus for use with multi-level web material such as carpeting, tufted fabrics and the like having a backing web and a pile on the backing web inwardly of the side edge of the backing web. The web alignment apparatus senses the pile edge and operates to maintain the pile edge in a preselected course relative to an apparatus that operates on the web. The sensor includes a web engaging member movable in a first path generally paralling the plane of the web to sense lateral deviations of the pile edge from the desired course of travel and the web engaging member is also movable in a second path transverse to the plane of the web to sense if the web engaging member rides onto the pile material, and the sensor is arranged to produce a signal when moved in either the first or second paths to operate the web alignment apparatus accordingly to shift the web relative to the apparatus operating thereon in a direction to bring the pile edge to the desired course of travel.