How To Choose The Right Yarn Count For Your Fabric

Yarn count is one of the most important specifications when sourcing yarn. It defines the fineness of the yarn and directly influences the weight, handle and cost of the finished fabric.

Common yarn count systems

Cotton yarn is usually expressed in the English count (Ne), where a higher number means a finer yarn. where a higher number means a thicker yarn. The metric count (Nm) is also used in some markets.

Matching count to your fabric

Coarser counts such as Ne 20s–30s are used for heavier fabrics like denim, towels and canvas. Medium counts such as Ne 30s–40s suit T-shirts, shirting and everyday knitwear, while finer counts such as Ne 50s–60s are used for premium shirting and lightweight fabrics.

Get expert advice

When you share your fabric construction, GSM and end use with our team, we recommend the right count, twist and quality grade and source it from verified mills.