Described is a controlled weight distribution woven terry fabric 10 that includes a body 31 having a first end 32 and a second end 32', wherein the first and second ends 32, 32' are opposite one another and a first side edge 34 and a second side edge 34', wherein the first and second side edges 34, 34' are opposite one another and generally perpendicular to the first and second opposite ends 32, 32'. The terry fabric 10 further includes a plurality of zones 40, 40', 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', and 48 extending across the fabric 10 between one of the first and second opposite ends 32, 32' or the first and second opposite edges 34, 34'. Each zone of the plurality of zones 40, 40', 42, 42', 44, 44', 46, 46', 48 has a pile with a pile height and the pile height in a zone differs from the pile height in an adjacent zone and the difference between the pile heights in adjacent zones is in a range between about 0.1 mm and about 2 mm. Also described are articles, such as towels 30, wash cloths, and bath mats, made from the controlled weight distribution woven terry fabric 10.