The materials used by orthodontists have changed rapidly in the last 8 decades and will continue to do so in the future. As esthetic wires are introduced, metallic wires will likely be replaced for most orthodontic applications. Wires are assessed by their properties like strength, stiffness, range, formability and weldability. As an ideal archwire has not yet been found, archwires should be selected within the context of their intended use during treatment. This article throws light on the different types of archwires available for orthodontic use.