What Is Fabric Thread Count ?
Fabric thread count refers to the total number of threads woven into a square inch of fabric, calculated by adding the number of vertical (warp) threads and horizontal (weft) threads within that area; essentially, it's a measure of how densely threads are woven together, often used as an indicator of a fabric's softness and quality.
What Is the Best Thread Count for Sheets?
Quality, comfortable sheets can be found with thread counts ranging from 200 to 800 and beyond. There’s no magic number that is the perfect thread count. That being said, there are generally acceptable ranges for various kinds of quality sheets.
At a minimum, look for sheets with an advertised thread count of 200. Anything lower than likely won’t feel as soft, and may result in a less comfortable sleeping experience.
The type of fabric and its weave makes a difference in the best thread count. Percale is also known as “plain weave” with a simple one over, one under pattern, so average-quality percale sheets may be around 180-200 thread count. By contrast, a sateen weave has a more tightly woven pattern, so average-quality sateen sheets will be closer to 250-300.
Here are some basic ranges of high-quality thread counts for sheets of various materials:
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Cotton: 200-400
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Egyptian Cotton: 300-400
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Percale Weave: 200-400
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Sateen Weave: 300-600
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Bamboo: 300-400
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Linen: 80-140. Thread count is less of a useful indicator for linen sheets and rarely listed. Avoid higher thread counts for linen sheets.
Keep in mind that certain materials are not measured using thread count. Some notable ones include:
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Silk: Measured in momme. Momme is a measure of weight that looks for the number of pounds in a piece of silk that is 45 inches by 100 yards. Look for silk sheets around the 17-22 momme range.
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Microfiber: Measured in grams per square meter (GSM). Look for microfiber sheets in the 90-120 GSM range.
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Flannel: Measured in GSM. Durable, heavyweight flannel sheets are in the 170+ GSM range. Lighter flannel sheets will be less durable, but lighter and more breathable.
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Jersey: Jersey is a type of knit that often uses cotton, but not always. The weight may vary somewhat depending on the material used. Many jersey cotton sheets are around 150 GSM.
Of course, remember that thread count is not an end-all, be-all measurement. The quality of the yarns, the manufacturer’s production process, the weave type, and many other factors all contribute to the performance of a set of bed sheets.