What does GSM mean on bedding or mattress fabric?

GSM means grams per square metre. It is a weight measure for fabric or fibre. A higher GSM cloth can feel denser. It does not tell you spring tension or overall mattress quality by itself.

Does deeper upholstery make a mattress better?

Deeper upholstery often feels softer on top. Support still comes from the core. A deep soft quilt on soft springs can feel sinky. Match depth to the feel you want after support is right.

mattresses

Upholstery Depth and GSM Explained

Entity: mattress upholstery depth and GSM

Neat mattress with turned-down sheets on an upholstered bed in soft daylight — How a finished mattress and bedding stack can look once the bed is made.

In short

Upholstery depth is how thick the soft layers above the support core are. GSM means grams per square metre and often rates fibre or fabric weight. Deeper upholstery can feel plusher. Higher GSM can mean a denser fill or cloth. Neither number alone proves quality. Read them with spring tension or foam density.

Educational diagram showing shallow versus deep upholstery above a spring unit with a GSM fabric label callout — Deep upholstery changes top feel. GSM describes material weight, not spring support.

Materials used

wool and cotton fibre
foam comfort layers
cover fabrics

Average lifespan

6– 10 years

Two different numbers

Term	Measures	Useful for
Upholstery depth	Thickness of soft layers above the core	Plush versus thin top feel
GSM	Mass of fabric or fibre per square metre	Comparing cloth or fill density

How to use them

Fix support for your body weight first.
Then choose upholstery depth for top feel.
Use GSM only to compare similar materials — not to rank whole mattresses.

Frequently asked questions

What does GSM mean on bedding or mattress fabric?: GSM means grams per square metre. It is a weight measure for fabric or fibre. A higher GSM cloth can feel denser. It does not tell you spring tension or overall mattress quality by itself.
Does deeper upholstery make a mattress better?: Deeper upholstery often feels softer on top. Support still comes from the core. A deep soft quilt on soft springs can feel sinky. Match depth to the feel you want after support is right.