A belt-drive turntable is a type of record player that uses a flexible belt to connect the motor to the platter. The motor turns the belt, which in turn rotates the platter and the vinyl record placed on top of it.

The motor is normally positioned away from the centre of the platter. A rubber or synthetic belt runs around a motor pulley and either the outside of the platter or a smaller sub-platter positioned underneath it. As the motor rotates, the belt transfers this movement to the platter.

One of the main reasons for using a belt-drive system is to help isolate the platter from the motor. The flexible belt can reduce the amount of mechanical vibration from the motor that reaches the platter, record and stylus.

Maintaining a consistent platter speed is important for accurate record playback. Most belt-drive turntables support 33⅓ and 45 rpm, with some models also capable of playing 78 rpm records. Speed may be selected electronically or, on some designs, by manually moving the belt between different sections of the motor pulley.

The platter itself can be made from materials such as aluminium, acrylic, glass or engineered composites. Some belt-drive turntables use relatively heavy platters, taking advantage of their rotational inertia to help maintain a stable speed once they are moving.

The belt is a component that can gradually stretch or wear with use. An ageing belt can sometimes cause problems with speed stability or make it more difficult for the platter to reach the correct speed. Replacement belts are therefore available for many turntables.

Belt-drive turntables differ from direct-drive turntables, where the motor directly drives the platter without a belt. Direct-drive systems can provide high torque and rapid start-up, while belt-drive systems use the belt as part of the mechanical connection and isolation between the motor and platter.

Neither drive system automatically guarantees better sound quality. The performance of a turntable also depends on factors such as the motor, bearing, platter, tonearm, cartridge, isolation and overall engineering.

Belt-drive turntables are widely used in home hi-fi systems and are available at virtually every price level. Their relatively simple drive mechanism and ability to mechanically isolate the platter from the motor have made belt drive one of the most established approaches to turntable design.