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What is a really good thread count for sheets


What’s a Good Thread Count for Sheets?

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We’ve spent hundreds of hours scrutinizing and sleeping on dozens of cotton sheet sets, and we know from experience that manufacturers sometimes game the thread counts, doubling the numbers to make their sheets seem more luxurious. According to the many experts we’ve interviewed, really good sheets—the ones that feel soft and wear well after years of use and washing—generally have thread counts ranging from 200 to 600, depending on whether they’re percale or sateen. But honestly, thread count isn’t the most important thing to consider. A lot of other factors—such as the type of cotton and yarns the sheets are made from—are more important in picking a soft, long-wearing set.

We spoke with five experts for this piece, and they all agreed that thread counts are an important indicator of quality sheets, but that you should be suspicious of numbers that are too high or too low. Manufacturers calculate thread count by adding up the vertical warp and horizontal weft yarns in a square inch of fabric. This is what the weave looks like for percale sheets (made with a plain weave) and sateen sheets (made with a satin weave):

Plain weave has the warp (vertical) and weft (horizontal) threads evenly alternating. In satin weave the weft threads “float” over several warp threads (usually four) at a time, resulting in smoother and more lustrous fabric.

Preethi Gopinath, director of the Textiles MFA program at Parsons and one of the writers of our cotton sheets guide, and Shannon Maher, chairperson and assistant professor of the Home Products Development department at the Fashion Institute of Technology, both weighed in on the best thread counts for each weave:

Percale

Sateen

Judging from our testing experience, we think those ranges are pretty spot-on. In our cotton sheets guide, our favorite percale set (L.L.Bean’s 280-Thread-Count Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set) has a 280 thread count. Both of our top sateen recommendations (the JCPenney Home 400 TC Wrinkle Guard Sheet Set from JCPenney and Cuddledown's 400 Thread Count Cotton Sateen Bedding) are 400 thread count—which, incidentally, Maher noted was her ideal number for sateen.

"Thread count really measures fabric density,” said Missy Tannen, co-founder of Boll & Branch. “Too high of a thread count means that air doesn't circulate well and you'll sleep hot." Percale thread counts are lower simply because the plain weave allows for fewer threads in a square inch. Gopinath told us this made percale lighter and cooler, which is preferable in hotter temperatures or for hot sleepers. Sateen, with its higher thread counts (that is, more densely packed yarns), tends to be softer but also heavier than percale. A higher thread count is more important for sateen because it reduces the likelihood of snagging the longer floats—the weft yarns that skim across several warp yarns.

Higher-thread-count sheets are made with finer (thinner) yarns. The more yarns that fit into a square inch, the smoother, denser, and more durable the fabric. Fine yarn is also more expensive to produce, thus resulting in pricier sheets (and why densely woven sateen is more expensive than percale). Cheap sheets are made with thicker yarns, resulting in lower thread counts and a rougher feel.

The best yarn is made from long-staple or extra-long-staple (ELS) cotton; longer threads of cotton fiber in each yarn help those alternating warp and weft yarns stay smooth and flat. (You can read a longer explanation of this topic in our post about whether Egyptian-cotton sheets are worth splurging for.) That’s why long-staple cottons, including pima, Supima, and sometimes Egyptian-cotton fabrics are considered more luxurious. Maher also recommended looking for sheets made from combed cotton like our percale upgrade pick, Riley’s Percale Sheet Set; in this process manufacturers comb out debris and too-short fibers from the cotton before spinning it into yarn that can weave into softer, smoother, and more durable fabric.

Higher-thread-count sheets are made with finer (thinner) yarns. The more yarns that fit into a square inch, the smoother, denser, and more durable the fabric.

“When it comes to thread count,” Tannen said, “most people forget that the quality of threads is far more important than the quantity." Andrés Modak, co-CEO and co-founder of Snowe, noted, “Luxury sheets aren't simply the result of a high number; first you need the highest quality yarns, expertly woven.”

When you see counts above 300 for percale or 600 for sateen, that sometimes means the manufacturers are using ply—the number of single threads twisted together in yarn—to artificially inflate the thread count, namely counting two-ply yarns as two yarns instead of one. That means a 500-thread-count sheet made with two-ply yarns might be advertised as 1,000 thread count. Single-ply yarn is more pliable and lends itself to softer fabrics than those containing multiple plies of yarn. As Maher told us, “This is a marketing effort.” She added that manufacturers raise the number to capture customers’ attention, since people tend to perceive a higher-thread-count sheet as better. In 2005 the Federal Trade Commission issued an opinion (PDF), but not a firm set of rules or guidelines, advising against this practice. But our experts noted that although many manufacturers have stopped, they do still see it happening.

“When it comes to thread count, most people forget that the quality of threads is far more important than the quantity." —Missy Tannen, co-founder of Boll & Branch

Even the print on sheets can indicate something about the quality of the fabric. Maher and Gopinath both told us that printed sheets were typically produced on lower-thread-count percale cotton to keep costs down. When manufacturers invest in a higher thread count for sheets, they don’t want to cover up that texture. “You want that to be the selling point,” Gopinath said. Print is “a cheap way of applying pattern,” Gopinath told us, an alternative to actually weaving a design into the fabric, like with a damask or jacquard.

Next time you’re shopping for sheets, instead of agonizing over the thread counts, first decide whether you want percale or sateen, and then stay within the established ranges that we covered above. Focus on the quality of the cotton instead of the thread count. As Vicki Fulop, co-founder and chief communications officer of Brooklinen, told us, “Thread count certainly matters, but it’s not the only thing that matters.”

Further reading

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The Best Thread Count for Sheets

To get the best sleep, you need high-quality sheets. To get high-quality sheets, you need a high thread count, right? Well, not necessarily.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab tests bed sheets for every type of sleeper, whether you prefer cooling sheets, ultra-soft sheets or organic sheets made of crisp materials. We evaluate each set for fabric strength, pilling resistance, shrinkage and more, then consumer testers try them out at home for real-world feedback. We've cross-referenced our results with thread counts to see whether it really makes a difference. So without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about the best thread count for sheets.

First things first: What does thread count even mean?

Thread count is the total number of yarns per square inch of fabric. A high thread count often indicates finer yarns: You can fit more thin yarns into one square inch than you can with thicker or coarser strands. As a result, the high thread counts have been associated with high-quality fabric because finer yarns are thought to make the sheets softer and more durable — but the truth is other factors like the fiber quality and weave are more important when you shop for sheets.

Is a high thread count better?

Sometimes, but not usually. Here's a great example: We tested a sheet set that's available in both 500 and 1,000 thread count options. Both did well in our tests, but the 500 thread count version cost $40 to $110 less, depending on size.

Our panel of 33 testers rated them exactly the same in a blind comparison for softness and feel. The durability scores were also similar in our Lab tests; the only noticeable difference was the 1,000 thread count version looked slightly less wrinkled coming out of the dryer.

What’s the best thread count for sheets?

In our tests, top-rated bed sheets often have thread counts between 300 and 500. Anything above 500 isn’t necessarily better (so don’t be deceived when you see thread counts over 1,500), and on the flip side, you can still find quality sheets with thread counts under 300. On top of that, even though our tests have shown that the 300 to 500 thread count range is a sweet spot, a sheet that falls into this range isn’t guaranteed to be high quality: Again, fiber content and construction are more important.

When

does thread count really matter?

The only (I repeat, THE ONLY) time thread count matters is for 100% cotton sheets with single-ply weaves. A higher thread count could be a sign that smooth, fine yarns were used instead of thicker, coarser strands. It's still not a rule of thumb — and shouldn't be the deciding factor when you purchase sheets — but it's the only time when thread count is even applicable.

When you should totally ignore thread count

If the sheets aren't 100% cotton with single-ply weaves, chances are thread counts are either misleading or irrelevant. Here's why thread count doesn't matter for other materials:

What qualities make for a good sheet?

Fiber content. 100% cotton is the most popular, and there are premium (i.e. “long-staple”) cottons, like Egyptian and Pima, that make the fabric even softer and more durable. Just keep in mind that these sheets may be more expensive, and there have been instances where brands mislabel regular cotton sheets as Egyptian.

You can also find cotton/polyester blends, which cost less and are more durable and wrinkle-resistant, but they may not feel as natural. Then there’s 100% polyester, which you’ll see in both microfiber sets that feel super soft and performance sheets that help wick sweat. You can also opt for linen, which is popular in the summer because it’s breathable and has a relaxed look.

Construction makes a big difference in how sheets feel, and you’ll typically choose between percale and sateen. Percale is a basic, grid-like weave that feels light and crisp, while sateen is a satin weave that feels soft and smooth because it has yarns in one direction that float over several yarns in the opposite direction.

Other constructions include flannel for winter and jersey-knit sheets, which feel more like a T-shirt. Though it comes down to personal preference, our testers tend to prefer the smooth feel of sateen.

Bottom line: What are the best bed sheets to buy?

We’ll make this one easy for you. Here are some of the best bed sheets from our tests, with prices listed for queen sizes:

Best Overall Sheets

Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set

$179 at Brooklinen

Credit: Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly

Best Value Sheets

Mellanni Bed Sheet Set

Now 27% Off

$35 at Amazon

Credit: Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly

Best Percale Sheets

L.L.Bean Pima Cotton Percale Sheet Set

$159 at L.L.Bean

Credit: Danielle Daly

Best Sateen Sheets

Garnet Hill Wrinkle-Resistant Sateen Bedding

$227 at Garnet Hill

Credit: Danielle Daly

Best Cooling Sheets

Slumber Cloud Performance Sheet Set

$234 at Slumber Cloud

Credit: Danielle Daly

Best Organic Sheets

Coyuchi Organic Crinkled Percale Sheets

$208 at Coyuchi

Credit: Danielle Daly

Best Brushed Sheets

Parachute Home Brushed Cotton Sheet Set

$169 at Parachute Home

Credit: Parachute

Best Linen Sheets

Linoto Linen Sheet Set

$389 at Amazon

Credit: Linoto

Features of embroidery threads: types of fibers

When creating embroidery, special attention must be paid to the characteristics of the upper thread, especially its weight, since it has a strong influence on the appearance of embroidery. The thread is thinner, the higher its number, and vice versa, the thicker, the lower the number. The standard thread weight for embroidery is 40 , so a large number of embroidery patterns are created for it. If you use too thin thread for patterns created under this number, there will be gaps in the embroidery. To reduce the number of stitches, thicker threads are often used.

There are different classifications of thread. Let's take a closer look at one of them - according to the type of fibers .

viscose threads are generally considered the softest and shiniest, but also the strongest. They are rightly considered the most durable - because they perfectly withstand a huge number of washes. But it should be noted that such threads cannot be washed with bleaching. Currently, manufacturers offer a wide range of colors for such threads. The standard size of viscose threads is 40, it fits a large number of patterns. For embroidery of small details, viscose thread number 60 will be ideal.

Polyester threads are also of good quality, but their color range is poorer than that of viscose. The advantage of polyester threads is their high strength and ability to withstand washing with bleaching. Therefore, it is convenient to use them for embroidery on uniforms, overalls and professional clothes. Another important quality of such threads is elasticity; during sewing, they easily stretch and just as easily return to their original state. This implies an important feature of working with polyester - it is necessary to make the tension of the upper thread a little more. The standard size of polyester threads is 40, sometimes there is also a size 30.

metallic threads are used to create a special texture and certain special effects, therefore they are not universal. Such threads are divided into three types, which are quite different in appearance: they can be flat, twisted or wrapped. Foil is used to produce metallic threads. Wrapped threads are the most common, in the production of which a polyester thread is wrapped with foil. They provide a smooth and shiny embroidery surface. While working with such threads, you need to reduce the speed of the machine and keep the work under careful control - metal threads are not very flexible, move harder, can twist, which leads to breaks or knots. Most often, threads No. 40 are used, while the density of the surface of the fabric decreases.

Cotton threads have a low sheen, almost matte finish, so they are often used to create various effects. They cannot be bleached, but such threads tolerate frequent washing well. One of the main disadvantages of cotton threads is a small range of colors.

Thread Features

When embroidering, it is necessary to pay special attention to the characteristics of the upper thread, including its weight, since it primarily affects the appearance of the embroidery. The higher the number, the thinner the thread, and vice versa, the lower the number, the thicker. Weight 9 is considered standard for embroidery.0003 40 , which is why a lot of embroidery patterns are created for it. If too thin threads are used for patterns created for this thread number, there will be missing places in the embroidery. Thicker threads are often used to reduce the number of stitches.

There are different classifications of threads, one of them is according to the type of fibers . Let's consider it in more detail.

Viscose threads - are considered the softest, shiny and at the same time the strongest threads. Modern manufacturers offer a huge range of colors of viscose threads, which are also rightly considered the most durable - they perfectly withstand a large number of washes. However, it is worth noting that they cannot be used for washing with bleaching. The standard size of such threads is “forty”, it fits many schemes. If you need to embroider small details, then viscose thread number 60 is ideal for this.

Polyester threads are also good quality threads, but their color range is poorer than that of viscose. The advantage of polyester threads is their high strength and ability to withstand bleaching. That is why they are very convenient to use for embroidery on uniforms, professional and special clothing. Another important quality of such threads is elasticity, they are easily stretched during sewing and just as easily return to the opposite state. This implies a feature of working with polyester - the tension of the upper thread must be done a little more. The standard size for the production of polyester threads is 40, and 30 is also found.

Metallic threads are not universal, as they are used to create certain special effects and special textures. Such threads come in three types, which quite simply differ in appearance: the threads can be twisted, flat and wrapped.

Learn more