What is Thread Count? Everything You Need to Know?

When searching for the perfect bedding, one term you'll frequently encounter is "thread count." But what is thread count, and why is it important? Let’s unravel the mystery, explaining its significance and how it impacts your sheets' comfort, durability, and quality.

What Does Thread Count Mean?

Thread count measures the number of horizontal and vertical threads woven into a single square inch of fabric.

For example, if a fabric has 100 vertical threads and 100 horizontal threads in a square inch, the thread count is 200.

In reality, it's only possible to fit a limited number of threads per square inch of fabric. The exact number depends on the yarns' thickness but is generally around 300 to 400.

With retailers wanting to offer more products at higher prices, they asked manufacturers to produce thread count sheets with higher numbers, boosting the perceived value of their bedding.

To produce a high thread count above the natural limit, manufacturers began wrapping individual cotton yarns around each other to create plait-like threads. In the industry, we call this using a "multi-ply yarn."

Unpacking the Thread Count Myth

We have to tell you a little secret: a higher thread count doesn't always mean higher-quality bedding.

The truth is that thread count has been hugely exaggerated in the bedding world. Let's face it: piles of plastic-wrapped sheets all look the same. Over time, retailers and manufacturers have increasingly used high thread counts as an indicator of better quality.

However, whilst thread count is a very convenient marketing tool, it isn't the determiner of quality we've all been led to believe.

Whilst multi-ply yarns are great for producing sheets with a 600 thread count or higher, the great irony is that a single-ply construction can create softer, longer-lasting, and more breathable cotton bed sheets than multi-ply threads.

What is a Good Thread Count for Sheets?

This is the most common question we get. As a general rule, the best thread count for sheets is between 200 and 400.

200-400 Thread Count: Ideally used to make luxury bedding with single-ply yarn. These are breathable, crisp, and soft.

Over 400 Thread Count: You should meet anything over 400 with a healthy dose of scepticism. These are often multi-ply yarns that can feel heavier and trap more body heat.

4 Factors More Important Than Thread Count

Within the 200-400 range, the quality, softness, and durability of your bedding are determined by four other key factors:

Quality, not quantity

The quality of the yarn, not the number of threads, produces good-quality sheets. Look for long-staple cotton which yields unusually long, silky fibres. Avoid short-staple cotton, which is more typically used in fabrics where softness and durability are less important.

Single-ply only

Single-ply threads make the most breathable and durable cotton sheets. To boost thread counts or to use poor-quality short-staple cotton, manufacturers use multi-ply yarns, which produce denser and less durable bedding.

No toxins

ou'd be surprised how many sheets use bleaches and dyes, which are harmful to the planet and you. Look for Oeko-Tex certification, which means your bedding has been made without harmful chemicals at any stage of the manufacturing process.

If you wanna know more this certification, read What Does Oeko-Tex Certified Mean.

Weaves

Cotton bedding is usually constructed with one of two different weaves. The weave you choose will significantly impact how your sheets look and feel.

• A Percale weave produces a cool and crisp fabric, like your favourite white dress shirt.
• A Sateen weave creates a luxurious silky fabric.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best thread count for sheets? 

For the perfect balance of breathability, softness, and durability, look for a thread count between 200 and 400. Sheets in this range typically use high-quality single-ply yarns that get softer with every wash.

Does a higher thread count mean better quality? 

Not necessarily. Extremely high thread counts (like 800 or 1000) often use "multi-ply" yarns, where thinner, weaker threads are twisted together. This can make the fabric feel heavier, less breathable, and more prone to pilling compared to a high-quality 300 thread count sheet.

Is 1000 thread count real?

Technically yes, but it is often a marketing trick. It is physically impossible to fit 1000 high-quality threads into a square inch. To achieve this number, manufacturers use multi-ply yarns (twisting 3 or 4 threads together), which boosts the count but often results in lower-quality, hotter bedding.