What is Thread Count, and Why Does it Matter For Your Sheets?

When you are looking for the best sheets on the market, an important quality to keep in mind is the thread count. What do we mean by thread count? According to experts, thread count is the total number of yarns per square inch of fabric. Generally speaking, to have a high thread count indicates finer yarns, or when far more thin yarns can be fit into one square inch.

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When a fabric has a higher thread count, this ultimately means that the fabric is of higher and finer quality, in addition to the material being one that is more durable. That said, whether you are buying king-size sheets or queen sheets, there are other factors to take into consideration when making a purchase for your bed.

Antimicrobial Fabrics

As a result of this design, these linens are made to be self-sanitizing, they curb infections and bacteria-borne skin problems, and they also stay fresher longer and do not need to be laundered as frequently as other linens. In terms of protection, antimicrobial linens are helpful against bacteria, odor, fungus, mildew and mold, and infection, and they even withstand bleach and peroxide.

One of the things you should look for in your sheets is if they have antimicrobial fabrics. Among the benefits of antimicrobial linens is that they are useful in slowing down and preventing the spread of any germs or odors as a result of these properties being sewn into each of the silver strands (which are key to preventing the growth of bacteria).

Experts have revealed that this silver – which carries a positive charge – tends to be attracted to bacteria (which carries a negative charge). This connection between the two is what results in the breakdown in the cell wall of bacteria and ultimately destroys any infectious organisms before they have a chance to reproduce.

Thread Counts for Sheets

That said, there isn’t really the best thread count for sheets. All of these details depend on a variety of factors, including your budget. Generally speaking. However, most agree that you should aim for a thread count between 400 and 1,000 (being the highest) – anything beyond 1,000 is unnecessary and, in some cases, even of lower quality because manufacturers tend to use thinner cotton, cram a series of thread together, and as a result increase the ply.

According to experts, if you are looking at 800 thread count, these sheets tend to be twice as thick as sheets that have a 400 thread count and are, therefore, more durable and last longer, even as they are higher in price. Interestingly enough, these sheets are also a great option if you have pets and sometimes let them sleep in your bed – the reason for this is that 800 thread count is better at resisting pet hair. Finally, if you are often cold or sleep in a colder climate, 800 thread count is great because it helps the body to retain more heat.

If, however, 800 thread count sheets are not in your budget, you can definitely consider 600 thread count, which is the highest thread count for single-ply sheets. And yet, while these sheets are less expensive, better at keeping the body cool, and still quite soft, they are not as durable as 800 thread count sheets.

Finally, for those on a budget, there is the 400-thread count option. These sheets are definitely the minimum in terms of quality that you should look for. While this does not mean that these sheets are of low quality, they are certainly not of the same quality. That said, 400 thread count sheets do feel soft, given the long staple cotton that is used.

Flannel and Knit Fabrics

In the case of flannel and knit fabrics, this material is typically made with cotton though it is not entirely clear what the thread counts are for these fabrics. The reason for this is that flannel sheets are sold by the fabric weight, and jersey-knit sheets have an entirely different construction.

Link and Silk

What about linen and silk? In the case of these fabrics, while they are similar to polyester, they do not have thread counts that are comparable to cotton. The reason for this is that linen is thick, and therefore the thread count is inherently low. Silk, on the other hand, is especially thin.

Polyester and Blends

In the case of polyester and blends, these fabrics are definitely unlike cotton in that they can be produced in a super thin makeup – for those interested in their thread count, this means that polyester and cotton/polyester blends can use thread amounts in the thousands. Polyester, in particular, does have additional selling points. Not only is it stronger, but it is less expensive than cotton (even though it does not feel as luxurious), and it is more wrinkle-resistant.

Thread Counts for Various Fabrics

Whether you are looking at thread counts for regular clothing or bed sheets, most experts agree that you should be looking for a thread count that falls in the range between 200 to 800 and beyond. That said, this all depends on what kind of quality of sheets you are looking for and what materials you are interested in using.

If you are curious about the range for a variety of materials, this is the rule of thumb that most people follow: in the case of bamboo, pick the range of 300-500; for cotton, aim between 200-400 – though, in the case of Egyptian cotton, the range can be 300-400; in the case of linen, the range can be as low as 80-140; and in the case of weave, if you are thinking of percale go for anywhere in between 200-400, and in the case of Sateen, you can opt for the range of 300-600.

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Adam Regan

Deputy Editor

Features and account management. 3 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

Email Adam@MarkMeets.com