Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting flaws in web material such as fabric comprises an array of optical sensors arranged in closely spaced relationship into at least one row spanning the web to be inspected. A light source is mounted in spaced parallel relationship relative to the sensor array and the web passes between the light source and the sensors. Each sensor produces a voltage signal that is proportional to intensity of light falling thereon and, therefore, to the amount of light transmitted by the portion of the web passing adjacent the sensor. The sensors are connected to a microprocessor that is programmed to compare their signals to standards representing signals produced by flawless fabric. A predetermined number of comparison results are combined and transformed into a single representative value that is compared with a preselected threshold value. If the representative value exceeds the threshold, a signal indicative of a flaw is produced by the microprocessor.