The effect of friction on evolution of the microstructure and texture during hot rolling in the ferrite region was studied with secondary electromicroscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometer, and FEM simulation. The friction between a roll and a steel sheet surface leads to the formation of notable through-thickness texture gradients. The finite element method (FEM) simulation shows that the large friction coefficient between a roll and sample results in a pronounced variation of _ " 13 (shear strain rate) and large e 13 /e 11 value which accounts for strong {110}<001> texture components and weak g-fiber components at rolled sheet surface; whereas the friction condition do not exert notable effect on texture formation at the sheet center.