Antibody affinity describes the intensity with which a single antibody molecule binds to its specific epitope in an antigen. This means that under a given concentration of antibody and antigen, a specific number of antigen–antibody complexes are formed. Consequently, antibody affinity is one of the major properties affecting the potency of therapeutic antibodies. Binders with higher affinities may allow lower doses or longer intervals of administration during therapy. Moreover, as antibodies require sophisticated production systems and therapeutic doses, and costs of goods of antibodies are comparably high, a high affinity may affect the commercial success of a therapeutic antibody. The process of in vivo affinity maturation is described as well as strategies for in vitro affinity maturation. Finally, the relation between affinity and efficacy and the determination of antibody affinity are reviewed.