Does Thread Count Really Matter for Your Sheets?

Many people shop for bed sheets by looking at the thread count, which is a number printed on the package. Thread count is the total number of yarns per square inch of woven fabric. Good Housekeeping tested 353 sheet sets and compared the results with thread count.

The tests found that a higher thread count did not lead to better performance. Sheets with a higher number were not always softer to the touch either. Thread count numbers for sheets can range from 200 to over 1,800.

According to Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab testing, the best cotton sheets often have thread counts between 300 and 500. The article advises shoppers to be careful with thread counts that are substantially over 1,000. Quality sheets with thread counts under 300 can also be found.

Thread count matters only for 100% cotton sheets with single-ply weaves. Some marketers use two- or three-ply yarns to inflate the thread count, which makes the number look higher than it really is. Polyester can be made into very thin fibers, so polyester and cotton/polyester blends often have thread counts in the thousands. In one test, a 1,400-thread-count cotton/polyester sheet set from the Lab was not a top performer.

Polyester is stronger, more wrinkle-resistant, and less expensive than cotton. Linen has a low thread count because it is thick. Silk is typically measured by fabric weight rather than thread count. Flannel sheets are sold by fabric weight, and jersey-knit sheets are knit rather than woven.

The weave also changes how a sheet feels. Percale is a grid-like weave that feels light and crisp. Sateen is a satin-like weave that feels soft and smooth. Rayon fibers such as viscose, lyocell, and modal are chemically processed from plant material. Tencel is a brand name for lyocell and modal.