Thread Count
By Kaiser Khan, Editor Updated First published
Desk research from official sources. Not a product test or medical advice. How we check facts.
Saved on this browser only. How saving works
In short
Thread count is the number of yarns woven into one square inch of fabric. Higher counts can feel denser, but the number can be inflated by counting multi-ply yarns as several threads. Fibre type, yarn quality and weave, such as percale or sateen, matter more for how sheets feel and last.
About 1 minutes to read
Definition. Thread count is the number of yarns in one square inch of fabric. A higher count does not always mean better sheets.
Ask whether the count uses single-ply yarns.
Long-staple cotton makes smoother yarns when well spun, whatever the thread count.
Full guide: bed sheet materials and thread count.