This tutorial presentation compares the hot working behavior of common industrial metals as grouped by crystal structure. The paper has primarily been arranged in a standardized tabular form so that cross referencing can be made between metals in the fcc, bcc, and hcp groups. Additional tables compare as-cast and worked structures as well as different modes of testing. The former leads to considerable real differences in a given metal, while the latter results in apparent differences in the same microstructure, particularly in ductility. Reference is also made to several recent reviews1–5 which have provided the literature sources—the foundation of this overview. In addition, references are made to some well-known reviews6–34 and several key research reports.