A raincoat or raincoat is a waterproof or waterproof coat worn to prevent rain. The term "raincoat" is sometimes used to refer to a waist length raincoat. A raincoat can be made by combining a raincoat with a pair of rainpants.

Modern raincoats are usually made of breathable, waterproof fabrics such as Gore Tex or Tyvek and coated nylon. These fabrics allow some air to pass through, allowing clothing to "breathe," allowing sweat vapor to escape. The amount of rain that a raincoat can handle is sometimes measured in millimeters by a water meter.

Charles Macintosh, a Scottish chemist, patented a new type of tarpaulin fabric in 1824, and invented the first modern waterproof raincoat. The tarpaulin, which he called "Indian rubber cloth", was made by sandwiching the soft rubber core of naphtha in two fabrics.