An analytical model for lateral cracks occurring in abrasive wear of brittle materials was developed. The stress field around the lateral crack and the stress intensity factor at the crack tip were analytically modeled. The abrasive wear by abrasive particles was experimentally studied by sliding indentation. In soda-lime glass, it was observed that chipping by the lateral crack occurred and produced the greatest material removal when the normal load applied by the sliding indenter was about 1.5-2.0N. Prediction of length of the lateral crack from the model was compared with the experimentally measured length in the soda-lime glass.