Quartz diorite is an igneous, plutonic (intrusive) rock, of felsic composition, with phaneritic texture. Feldspar is present as plagioclase (typically oligoclase or andesine) with 10% or less potassium feldspar. Quartz is present at between 5 and 20% of the rock. Biotite, amphiboles and pyroxenes are common dark accessory minerals.^[1]

Quartz diorite occurs in association with other granitic rock such as granodiorite, and with volcanic rock. In western North America a "quartz diorite line" occurs; west of this line, the dominant granitic rock is quartz diorite.^[2]