哥德次文化是现今存在于许多国家中的一种文化，起源于1980年代初期的英国，自后庞克衍生出来的哥德摇滚界。哥德次文化比同时期其它文化的存在时间还要长久，并不断衍生出各种类型。其意象及文化影响从19世纪的哥德文学与恐怖电影，到少部分的BDSM文化。

哥德文化也衍生出相关的音乐、美学和风格。哥德音乐包含不同的类型，共同特色是哀伤、神秘的音乐和观点。衣服风格则包含死亡摇滚（Death rock）、庞克风、双性（Androgynous）、维多利亚风、一些文艺复兴和中世纪时期的衣服样式，或者是结合上述各项风格。另外还经常搭配黑色的服装、彩妆和头发。

The goth subculture is a contemporary subculture found in many countries. It began in England during the early 1980s in the gothic rock scene, an offshoot of the post-punk genre. Notable post-punk groups that presaged that genre are Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division and Bauhaus. The goth subculture has survived much longer than others of the same era, and has continued to diversify. Its imagery and cultural proclivities indicate influences from the 19th century Gothic literature along with horror films.