Thread count is a measure of quality of fabrics used for bedding. This measure of quality looks at the fineness or coarseness of a fabric; in this case it mostly refers to bed linens like sheets and pillowcases. Thread count is the number of threads going each way in one square inch of fabric.
Thread count is measured by counting the number of horizontal and vertical threads in one square inch of fabric. Thread counts average from lowest (80) to highest (1200). Most are usually between 180 and 300, and anything above 300 is considered higher quality.
Higher thread count means more threads, and this usually translates into a more densely woven fabric that lasts longer and is many times softer. Some exceptions to this rule are fabrics made of linen, flannel, or jersey.
Fabrics like linen, flannel, or jersey are subject to low thread count because of the type of material they are made of and the properties of that material. For example, part of the softness of flannel comes from its low thread count because of the material its made from.
Ply and thickness are two factors that also affect thread count. The ply is defined as the number of threads that...