Some properties of the structure of polyamide (PA) and polypropylene (PP) hollow fibers were investigated in a theoretical fashion. These fibers were simultaneously compared with solid fibers. The structural indices of the hollow fibers, that is, the wall thickness and inner diameter, were systematically examined with the aim of determining their effect on the four conventional structural indices suitable for hollow fibers and for solid fibers. The fiber outer diameter and fiber outer lateral area were examined as well, and the ratio of the fiber outer lateral area to the fiber whole volume and the ratio of this area to the fiber mass were considered. Under assumptions about the fixed level and equal values of the linear density of PA and PP fibers, comments on the aforementioned effect were presented. The structural properties of these fibers with different wall thicknesses and inner diameters were examined. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.