Described is a controlled weight distribution woven terry fabric that includes a body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first and second ends are opposite one another and a first side edge 34 and a second side edge, wherein the first and second side edges are opposite one another and generally perpendicular to the first and second opposite ends. The terry fabric further includes a plurality of zones extending across the fabric between one of the first and second opposite ends or the first and second opposite edges. Each zone of the plurality of zones 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, wash cloths, and bath mats, made from the controlled weight distribution woven terry fabric.