Cloud Strife is the game's primary protagonist and a self-proclaimed ex-SOLDIER-turned mercenary employed by AVALANCHE. Initially, Cloud is confused and conflicted with an occasionally arrogant attitude and a cool disposition, until a traumatic experience in the Lifestream helps him discover lost memories of his true self. He wears a purple/dark blue SOLDIER uniform and is distinguished by his glowing blue eyes (a sign of having been exposed to a large amount of mako). He has spiky blond hair, a trait that is meant to clearly distinguish him from the game's primary antagonist, Sephiroth. He wields an over-sized sword in combat.

Cloud's romantic involvement with both Tifa and Aerith is unclear. During his youth, Cloud admired Tifa from afar and in Advent Children he lives with Tifa and helps her take care of orphans, however, the nature of their relationship is never explained. During the original game Cloud appears to also display strong feelings for Aerith which may be seen as romantic, which would also explain his interactions with her in Advent Children, but again the precise nature is intentionally unclear as these could just as well be from his assimilation of Zack's memories. Thus Cloud's relationship with the two is unclear at best and open to interpretation.