what does thread count mean

Thread count refers to the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric. It is a measure of how tightly woven a fabric is, and it is used as a rough indicator of the softness and feel of a fabric. The general belief is that a higher thread count equals better quality, but this is not always true. Some companies count each fiber or ply (and not just each thread) to inflate their numbers so they can charge more. Therefore, it is important to consider other factors such as the quality of the threads, the type of fabric, and the fiber content when shopping for bed linens. The best thread count for sheets ranges from 200 to 800 and beyond, but the quality of the yarns or threads used is often more important than the quantity of threads.