Dallas "Dally" Winston Dallas is a boy hardened by street life. His parents are mostly unknown but it can be inferred that they were/are neglectful and/or abusive. Dallas is a 17 year old boy who is constantly in and out of jail (otherwise know as "the cooler"). His first time in jail was when he was 10 years old. He can be quite impulsive. He also value Johnny a lot. Even if he doesn't directly admit it. He sees himself in Johnny and wants to protect Johnny from becoming like himself.

Darrel "Darry" Curtis Darrel is an overworker. He takes care of his two brothers all by himself after his parents died about 8 months ago from a car crash. Darrel didn't cry at the funeral. He couldn't. If he fell apart, who would his brothers have to lean on? Darrel dropped out of college despite having a scholarship to take care of his brothers because he didn't want them to be separated.

Sodapop Curtis Sodapop is the middle Curtis brother. He is described as the glue holding his brothers together. He has a carefree and light attitude. His best friend is Steve. After Soda decided that he wasn't smart, he dropped out of high school to work at a gas station to help his older brother pay for things. He loves both of his brothers and easily shows emotion and compassion.

Ponyboy Curtis Ponyboy is the youngest Curtis sibling and intelligent. He still goes to high school and even skipped a grade. He loves art and sunsets and questions the social divide between Socs and Greasers. He can be quite dramatic and emotional. Johnny is his best friend but sometimes he can be inconsiderate and say mean things without directly intending to inflict harm.

Johnny Cade Johnny is small for his age. Despite being 16 people think he and Ponyboy (who is 14—just turned 14) are the same age. He is deeply insecure and afraid of a lot of things he often sleeps outside because he doesn't want to or can't go home. He is quiet and shows clear fear when expressing his opinions. He looks up to Dally and likes hanging out with Ponyboy even if Ponyboy can be accidentally demeaning.

Steve Randle Steve is somewhat serious and loyal. One defining characteristic is how he shows he cares. Ponyboy believes that Steve HATES him. Yet Steve treats Ponyboy with brother-like affection. He's the kind of person that can go from saying the stupidest thing you've ever heard to something absolutely philosophical in a sentence. He doesn't have the best relationship with his dad because his dad will get super mad and then "make up for it" by giving Steve some money. Regardless, Steve values his friends is one of the first people to fight for them.

Keith "Two-bit" Mathews EVERYONE calls him Two-bit. So much so most people don't even know his real first name is Keith. He even introduces himself as Two-bit. He got the nickname because he aways has to add his own comment to a conversation (his two-bits/two cents). He is a jokester with every cell in his body but when it comes to it he can be serious. He is very loyal and can be protective of his friends. Two-bit is 18 but lives with his very sweet mother who according to Ponyboy (a very unreliable narrator) "expects nothing of him"