Sebacic acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid with the chemical formula . It is a white flake or powdered solid. Sebaceus is Latin for tallow candle, sebum is Latin for tallow, and refers to its use in the manufacture of candles. Sebacic acid is a derivative of castor oil.

In the industrial setting, sebacic acid and its homologues such as azelaic acid can be used as a monomer for nylon