What’s the Best Thread Count for Cotton Sheets?
To get the best sleep, it helps to have the best sheets. To get the best sheets, you need a high thread count, right? Well, not necessarily.
When shopping for cotton sheets, you’ll often hear about thread count—but what does it really mean, and how much does it matter? Let’s break down the basics to help you find the perfect balance of comfort, quality, and durability.
What is thread count?
Thread count refers to the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric. It includes both horizontal threads (weft) and vertical threads (warp).
For example:
A 300 thread count means there are 300 threads in total—150 weft threads and 150 warp threads—woven into one square inch.
Is higher thread count better?
Many people assume that the higher the thread count, the better the sheets. However, this isn’t always the case. While thread count matters, other factors like fabric quality and weave type play a much bigger role in how sheets feel and perform.
Sheets with an extremely high thread count (e.g., 800–1200) often use thinner, lower-quality threads to inflate the numbers. This can result in sheets that are heavy, less breathable, or prone to pilling over time.
What is a good thread count?
For most cotton sheets, a thread count between 300 and 400 hits the perfect balance of luxury, breathability, and durability
Breathability
Unlike ultra-high thread counts, 300–400 thread count sheets allow better airflow, keeping you cool and comfortable year-round.
Soft and Smooth
Sheets with this thread count feel soft and luxurious without sacrificing comfort.
Durability
Premium cotton with a mid-range thread count ensures your sheets last wash after wash.
Does Thread Count Really Matter?
Thread count is important, but the quality of the cotton itself makes a bigger difference. Look for sheets made from long-staple cotton.
The only time thread count truly matters is when you’re looking at 100% cotton sheets with a single-ply weave. A higher thread count can indicate that finer, smoother yarns were used instead of thicker, coarser threads. However, it’s still not a guarantee of quality and shouldn’t be the sole factor when choosing sheets—it’s just one piece of the puzzle that’s relevant in this specific case.
Overline
At Thick & Thin, we use 300–400 thread count cotton because it offers the best balance of comfort and durability. Our sheets are crafted with care, ensuring you get the soft, breathable, and long-lasting bedding you deserve—without unnecessary markups or gimmicks.
Ready to experience the perfect thread count?
Explore our collection of premium cotton sheets and discover bedding that’s designed for better sleep.
