Enter your local Bed Bath & Beyond or scroll through your favorite e-commerce website looking for the best bedding and you’ll be deluged with sales copy that touts thread counts: 300, 800, 1000. Some consumers infer that a lower thread count means sentencing yourself to a string of restless nights by sleeping on what feels like a burlap sack, while a 1000-count bed sheet set belongs in Windsor Castle. But what’s really going on with thread counts? Is it materially relevant, or just material marketing? Show
According to HowStuffWorks, thread counts are indeed actual measurements of how many threads in a fabric are woven together in 1 square inch. The number is taken from the amount of threads that are sewn in vertically and horizontally, but they’re not multiplied. If you had 200 vertical and 200 horizontal, your thread count would be 400. Because it gets pretty difficult to weave hundreds upon hundreds of threads into a single square inch, a claim of 800 or 1000 seems suspicious. And in a way, it is. Manufacturers who boast of high thread counts may be counting each individual fiber, or plies, in a thread. That can multiply the thread count significantly without actually increasing comfort. “Now you see 1000 thread count sheets but you just can’t get that many threads on a loom,” Pat Slaven, a textile expert at Consumer Reports, said in 2013. So what does all this really mean for your comfort? It’s true that sheets with a low thread count like 150 or under may feel a little coarse or itchy, whereas those with a thread count of up to 400 are generally soft enough for most people, according to Slaven. A thread count of up to 500 is roughly the maximum that can be woven in a square inch. Beyond that and you may be experiencing some marketing manipulation: Manufacturers know consumers associate a high thread count with comfort, so they might massage the numbers. In the end, that 1000-thread-count sheet set may not be any different from one with a 400 thread count. It may actually feel a little rougher, as those multi-ply threads can lose softness. There’s a lot more that goes into sheet comfort, including the quality of fabric being used. Egyptian cotton is typically longer and stronger; singeing is a process that removes the kind of fabric that can create fuzzy patches later on. In the end, you want a single-ply sheet using quality material, like Egyptian, combed, or Pima cotton. How the fabric is woven matters, too. Sateen and percale weaves tend to be softer to the touch. But if you're shopping in a store, don’t rely solely on the touch test. Even if you unzip a sheet bag and feel the fabric, you may not be getting a strong indication of what the sheets will feel like once they’re washed. Manufacturers use silicone softeners and other materials to impress consumers at the point of purchase, but that will wash out once you bring them home. To find the best sheet set for you, you're probably going to have to sleep on it. Have you got a Big Question you'd like us to answer? If so, let us know by emailing . We spend a lot of our time in bed, so it’s worth investing in bed linen that gives you the maximum comfort and the best night’s sleep. But when it comes to thread count, how do you know which is the best number to go for? From 200 to 750 thread count sheets, find out everything you need to know to make the right choice, right here. What is thread count? The best thread count for sheets High thread count bedding such as 750 thread count sheets tends to feel denser, which can give more of a five-star hotel-style feel. However, 200 thread count sheets can still be of excellent quality and sumptuously soft. A lower thread count may feel lighter and more airy to the touch. Whichever thread count you choose, the most important indicator of quality is the fabric. Look for bed linen that’s rich in cotton, such as percale with a high percentage of cotton, pure Egyptian cotton with long fibres for supreme softness, or ultra-smooth Supima. Whichever thread count you choose, we wish you a great – and supremely comfortable – night’s sleep.
 What does thread count mean for sheets? Thread count refers to the number of threads woven together per square inch of fabric. The more threads woven together means a higher thread count. Read our guide to thread count for all bed linen: bed sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases.
IS THREAD COUNT A REAL THING? Yes, thread count is a proper scientific term with strict standards. It's really not a marketing ploy! The thread is counted lengthwise (warp) and widthwise (weft). For example, 100 lengthwise threads woven with 100 widthwise threads equals 200 thread count. IS THREAD COUNT IMPORTANT? Yes, thread count is an important factor to consider when buying bed linen. Typically, cotton materials with a higher thread count are warmer, more durable, softer or soften well over time - up to a point. But don’t just rely on thread count to indicate quality, the type of yarn and the finishing process are also equally important. IS HIGHER THREAD COUNT BETTER? Thread counts for bedding typically range from 200 to 800, though 1,000 and higher thread counts do exist. Thread count is not however, the most important indicator of quality bedding, more important is the quality of the cotton threads that the bedding is woven from. You can have high thread count sheets made from poor quality cotton. Keep an eye out for suspiciously sounding high thread count. Some manufacturers unfortunately achieve high thread counts by artificial means. Instead of counting individual threads they count each ply spun within each thread and then twist multiple yarns together. They are probably using low quality cotton that is artificially strengthened in this way. WHAT IS THE BEST THREAD COUNT? Assuming that you are looking at bed linen that is made from good quality cotton, here's our guide to the best thread count:
WHY IS EGYPTIAN COTTON THE BEST COTTON? Egyptian cotton is a long staple cotton and feels luxurious while being wonderfully durable. Although it may feel a bit harder when new, Egyptian cotton improves with age and will soften each time you wash it. Unlike most bed linen, your scooms Egyptian cotton sheet, duvet covers and pillowcases will become more comfortable to sleep with the more you use it. Well worth the investment! See our guide to Egyptian cotton. SHOP NOW TOP THREAD COUNT FAQS: What is thread count?Thread count refers to the number of threads woven together per square inch of material. Is thread count important?Yes, absolutely. Typically, cotton materials with a higher thread count are warmer, more durable, softer or soften well over time - up to a point. What is the best thread count for bed linen?600 thread count. Anything less than 200 is too thin and will wear rapidly, over 800 and it can feel too stiff. Also in Bed linen
How to choose the best bed linen: 10 things to knowOur bed linen guide covers the key things to think about when buying bedding: the feel, fabric, weave, thread count, sizes, styles, accreditations, packaging & care. Read more →
What is Egyptian cotton?
Egyptian cotton bed linen is strong, light, breathable and durable with a high thread count. This is a luxurious fabric which is why we use it in all our scooms bed linen! Read more →
Oxford v Housewife pillowcases - what's the difference?
There are two types of pillowcase, the Oxford and the Housewife. The Oxford has a fabric border around the edge, usually ranging from 5cm to 10 cm. The Housewife has no border, just a plain sewn edge. Read more → Bedding size guideDUVET SIZE GUIDE These are standard UK bedding measurements so if you know your mattress size, you can easily work out which duvet size you need. (Width x length.)
US/CANADA BEDDING SIZES: Approximate matches to UK sizes are US King/UK Super king, US Queen/UK King, US Full/UK Double and US Twin/UK Single. EUROPEAN BEDDING SIZES: Each size - Single, Double, King and Grand king - is a little larger than the UK equivalent. Measure your mattress to see which size bedding you need: our UK v European v US mattress comparison guide. DUVET TOG RATING GUIDE Young children can overheat so if they are old enough to use a full size bed, we recommend using a single size 4.5 tog duvet.
DUVET FILL WEIGHT GUIDE Our goose down duvets have high 700 fill power. Fill weight is measured in GSM (grams per square metre).
PILLOW SIZE GUIDE Our pillows come in two sizes and provide medium support. (Width x length.)
BED LINEN SIZE GUIDE Our fitted sheets are deep fit, up to 40cm / 15.7" mattress depth. And our duvet covers fasten with large, easy to use buttons. (Width x length.)
What is the best thread count for bed sheets?Looking for sheets with a reasonable thread count (200-600 for most styles) will typically produce the best results. Be sure to modify your expectations somewhat depending on the material used. Excessively high thread counts (600-800) likely won't change much beyond the price tag.
Are 1000 thread count sheets worth it?No, probably not. Anything with a thread count nearing (or above) 1000 thread count is almost certain to be significantly lower quality than sheets with a more reasonable number. Most fabrics with a thread count over 600 are a sign of deceptive marketing tactics at work.
Which is better 200 or 400 thread count?A fabric with a thread count of 200 high-quality fibers can have a better hand, or feeling to the touch, than a thread count of 400 inferior-quality fibers or twisted threads. In the world of cotton, the length of the fiber is an indication of quality.
What thread count is softest?The general range of 200 to 400 is what to look for, though counts in the range of 300 to 360 will likely be the softest.
Is a higher thread count a better sheet?High thread counts can certainly make for better sheets, but the quality of the thread matters more than the number. In fact, a better-quality fiber with a lower thread count will feel softer and stand up to washing better than a lower-quality fiber with a higher thread count.
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What does thread count mean on bed sheets
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