A butterfly valve is named as such due to the disc at the center of the valve. Butterfly valves are quarter-turned valves that allow for quick shut off, as when the mechanism is activated, the rod at the center of the disc will cause it to rotate and open or close. The method of operation is the primary difference between butterfly valves and other valves, whereas many other types of valves utilize springs.

There are also different types of butterfly valves, including:

• Concentric: Uses a rubber seat with a metal disc.
• Doubly-eccentric: Also known as a high-performance butterfly valve; Uses a variety of materials for both the seat and disc.
• Triply-eccentric: Also known as triple-offset butterfly valves; Uses three separate off-sets to create a tight bubble when shut off.

Due to the different types, butterfly valves are commonly used in multiple industries, including the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries. They are also common in hydroelectric power plants.