Cheese curds are the fresh curds of cheddar cheese. They are generally available in retail stores operated at cheese factories throughout the United States and Canada (especially in Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, Ontario, Quebec, and Upstate New York, where they can be found in many grocery stores.) Cheese curds are little-known in locations without cheese factories, because they should ideally be eaten within hours of manufacture. After twelve hours, even under refrigeration, they have lost much of their "fresh" characteristics, particularly the "squeak". This "squeak" has been described by the New York Times as sounding like "balloons trying to neck". After twenty-four hours, they will lose their freshness entirely. If they are purchased locally and need to be kept for a couple of days, room temperature, rather than refrigeration, may preserve the flavor and "squeak".

Their flavor is mild with about the same firmness as cheese, but have a springy or rubbery texture. Fresh curds squeak against the teeth when bitten into, which some would say is their defining characteristic. Cheese curds are sometimes referred to as "Squeeky cheese." They are sometimes somewhat salty. The American variety are usually yellow or orange in color, like cheddar cheese. Other varieties, such as the Québécois variety, can be roughly the same color as white cheddar cheese.