Factor XIa, the enzymatic form of the factor XI zymogen, is generated as a result of factor XII-dependent surface activation in plasma. Factor XIa degrades high molecular weight kininogen, its cofactor for activation (which binds factor XIa to the surface), as well as cleaves and activates coagulation factor IX. In this report, we present evidence that factor XIa can also cleave fibrinogen and decrease the thrombin-catalyzed formation of the fibrin clot. Furthermore, the products of factor XIa-digested fibrinogen markedly inhibited the rate of polymerization of fibrin monomers. Factor XIa initially cleaved the A alpha-chain of fibrinogen and subsequently degraded the B beta-chain. However, the cleavage sites on both chains were distinct from those susceptible to thrombin. The gamma-chain was degraded only after prolonged incubation with factor XIa. Furthermore, the profile of fibrinogen proteolysis by factor XIa was distinctly different from that of plasmin-catalyzed fibrinogenolysis. Unlike plasmin, factor XIa was not able to cleave the NH2-terminus of the B beta-chain of fibrinogen. Moreover, factor XIa, unlike plasmin, failed to hydrolyze fibrin. Further study of the proteolytic digests of fibrinogen produced by factor XIa may give additional insight into the mechanism of polymerization of this protein.