The number on the packet isn't the whole story
Shopping for sheets, it is easy to assume the highest thread count wins. It is one of the most common beliefs in bedding, and one of the most misleading. Here is what thread count actually measures, why big numbers can be inflated, and what is worth checking instead.
What thread count is
Thread count is the number of threads woven into a square inch of fabric. In theory, more threads means a denser fabric. In practice, the number can be pushed up in ways that do nothing for how the sheets feel.
Why very high numbers are unreliable
A fabric can reach a big thread count by twisting several thin yarns together and counting each strand separately. The packet then shows a larger number without the sheet being any denser or nicer to sleep on. Past a certain point, extra threads add little, and the sheets can even feel heavier and less breathable.
What matters more
The fibre
Long-staple cotton uses longer-than-average fibres that spin into smoother, stronger yarn with fewer loose ends. Shorter fibres make a rougher surface that pills faster and breaks down sooner. This is why two sheets with the same thread count can feel completely different.
The weave
Weave changes the finish. Sateen (our weave) is a pattern, not a material. Ours is 4:1: four threads over, one under. It gives a smooth, slightly luminous surface that drapes well and feels cool in summer and warm without weight in winter. Percale, the crisp matte weave you find in many hotels, feels completely different. Neither is better; it is a matter of preference.
The finishing and the dyes
How a fabric is finished, and what it is dyed with, affects how it looks after wash after wash. Colour holds up better when the weave is dense enough to lock it in.
Independent testing
A certification such as OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tells you the finished textile has been independently tested for harmful substances. It says nothing about thread count, which is another reason to look at more than one number. Read more in What OEKO-TEX Actually Means.
A quick checklist for buying sheets
- What is the fibre, and is it long-staple cotton?
- What is the weave: sateen or percale?
- Is there independent testing, such as OEKO-TEX Standard 100?
- How deep are the fitted walls, so they will fit your mattress? (See our sizing guide.)
- What is the returns policy if they are not right?
Where Beddie fits
We do not lead with a thread count. Our cotton sheets are 450 thread count, but what makes them feel good is long-staple cotton in a 4:1 sateen weave, not a big number on the packet. You can feel the difference the first night, and it only grows as the sheets soften with washing. Our materials guide goes through each part in more detail.