Thread count is the first number most people look at when buying sheets, and it is also the most misleading. The bedding industry has spent decades training shoppers to believe that higher is always better. It is not. Understanding what thread count actually measures, where the useful range ends, and what matters more will save you from overpaying for sheets that feel no better than a set at half the price.
Quick Answer
A good thread count for cotton sheets falls between 200 and 400 for percale weaves and 300 and 600 for sateen. Above 600, manufacturers are almost always inflating the number by counting multi-ply yarns as multiple threads. A 400 thread count single-ply long-staple cotton sheet will feel softer and last longer than a 1,000 thread count sheet made from short-staple, multi-ply yarn. Fibre quality, staple length, and weave type matter more than the thread count printed on the label.
What Thread Count Actually Measures
Thread count is the total number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric, counting both horizontal (weft) and vertical (warp) threads. A sheet with 150 warp threads and 150 weft threads per square inch has a thread count of 300. That part is straightforward.
The trouble starts with multi-ply yarn. Some manufacturers twist two or three thinner strands together to make a single thread, then count each strand separately. So a fabric woven with 250 two-ply yarns per square inch gets labelled as 500 TC. A three-ply version of the same fabric could claim 750 TC. The actual number of threads passing through that square inch has not changed. Both the FTC in the United States and Canada's Competition Bureau have addressed misleading thread count claims, though enforcement remains inconsistent.
Brad, who has spent over 38 years in the bedding industry, puts it plainly: "If someone tells you their sheets are 1,000 thread count, ask them if it is single-ply. If they cannot answer that question, they do not know enough about what they are selling."
Why Fibre Quality Beats Thread Count
Cotton quality is measured by staple length. Long-staple varieties like Egyptian cotton, Pima, and Supima produce fibres roughly 34 to 40 millimetres long. These longer fibres can be spun into finer, smoother, and stronger yarn with fewer loose ends. That translates to less pilling, a softer hand feel, and better durability over hundreds of wash cycles. Short-staple cotton (the kind used in most budget sheets) produces coarser yarn that pills faster and breaks down sooner. A 300 TC sheet made from Supima cotton will genuinely feel better against your skin than a 1,000 TC sheet made from generic short-staple cotton. The fibre does more work than the weave density.
The Practical Thread Count Ranges
For percale weave (the crisp, cool, hotel-style feel), the useful range is 200 to 400 TC. Percale uses a simple one-over-one-under pattern. Below 200 can feel thin. Above 400, percale starts to lose its signature breathability because the weave becomes too dense for air to move through easily.
For sateen weave (the smooth, slightly lustrous feel), aim for 300 to 600 TC. Sateen uses a four-over-one-under pattern that creates more surface contact with your skin, which is why it feels silkier. It can handle a slightly higher thread count before the fabric stiffens.
Beyond roughly 600 TC in either weave, adding more threads per square inch creates diminishing returns. The fabric gets heavier and stiffer, not softer. If you are comparing these two weaves in more detail, our fabric comparison guide covers the differences between cotton, linen, and bamboo.
It is also worth noting that thread count does not apply to every fabric. Bamboo viscose, Tencel, and microfibre sheets are measured differently. For those materials, GSM (grams per square metre) is a more reliable indicator of weight and quality. If you see a thread count on bamboo sheets, the brand is likely using the number for marketing rather than technical accuracy.
What About the Highest Thread Count Sheets?
Some brands market sheets at 1,200, 1,500, or even 1,800 thread count. We are honestly not sure how some of those numbers are calculated, and we suspect the manufacturers are not entirely sure either. At those counts, multi-ply yarn inflation is virtually guaranteed. No single-ply cotton weave can physically achieve those densities without becoming stiff and heavy.
The highest thread count sheets that feel genuinely luxurious tend to sit between 400 and 600 TC in single-ply, long-staple cotton sateen. Brands like Wamsutta with their PimaCott line achieve this well. Dorothy on our team often points customers toward the 400 to 500 range and lets them feel the difference in the showroom. Once you compare a 400 TC Pima cotton set against a 1,000 TC generic set side by side, the thread count myth falls apart in your hands.
For a closer look at one of those higher-quality options, our Wamsutta PimaCott review breaks down what makes that particular line worth considering.
How We Help in the Showroom
Talia keeps fabric swatches from several thread count ranges so customers can feel the difference without buying anything. It takes about thirty seconds of touching a 300 TC single-ply Pima percale next to a 1,000 TC multi-ply generic cotton to understand why thread count alone is not a useful comparison
. If you are shopping for cotton sheets and want to know what you are actually getting for the price, that hands-on comparison tells you more than any label can.
A Simple Buying Checklist
When shopping for cotton sheets, check these things in this order. First, the cotton type: look for long-staple, Pima, Supima, or Egyptian. Second, the ply: single-ply is almost always better than multi-ply at the same thread count. Third, the weave: percale for cool and crisp, sateen for smooth and warm. Fourth, and only fourth, the thread count: 200 to 400 for percale, 300 to 600 for sateen. If the brand leads with thread count but does not mention the cotton type or ply, that is usually a sign they are relying on the number to sell an otherwise average product.
Our bedding collection is stocked with sets where we can answer all four of those questions honestly. That is the baseline we think every retailer should meet.
What is a good thread count for cotton sheets?
For percale weave, 200 to 400 thread count is the practical sweet spot. For sateen, 300 to 600. Within those ranges, fibre quality and ply matter more than the specific number. A 350 TC single-ply Pima cotton sheet will outperform a 600 TC multi-ply generic cotton sheet in softness and durability.
What is the highest thread count for sheets that is actually useful?
Around 600 TC in single-ply cotton is the practical ceiling. Beyond that, additional threads make the fabric denser and stiffer rather than softer. Sheets marketed above 800 TC are almost always using multi-ply yarn counting, which inflates the number without improving the feel.
How do manufacturers inflate thread count?
They twist two or three thin yarns together into a single thread, then count each strand separately. A fabric with 300 two-ply threads per square inch gets labelled as 600 TC. The actual number of threads in the weave has not changed. Both the US FTC and Canada's Competition Bureau have flagged this as a deceptive practice.
Does thread count matter for bamboo or Tencel sheets?
Not really. Bamboo viscose and Tencel are manufactured fibres with different properties than cotton. GSM (grams per square metre) is a more meaningful measurement for those materials. If you see a thread count on bamboo sheets, it is likely being used as a marketing tactic rather than a genuine quality indicator.
Is Egyptian cotton always better than regular cotton?
Genuine Egyptian cotton (Gossypium barbadense grown in Egypt) produces exceptionally long staple fibres and is considered premium. However, the term has been widely misused. Studies have found that some products labelled Egyptian cotton contained no Egyptian cotton at all. Look for certifications from the Cotton Egypt Association or buy from brands that disclose their sourcing transparently.
Want to feel the difference that fibre quality and weave make? Visit our showroom and compare thread counts side by side on actual fabric swatches. No pressure, just honest answers about what you are paying for.
Mattress Miracle
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, ON N3R 3V9
Phone: (519) 770-0001
Hours: Mon–Wed 10–6 | Thu–Fri 10–7 | Sat 10–5 | Sun 12–4
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