Bedding & Textiles Glossary Terms
2 terms related to bedding & textiles, explained in plain English.
What is Thread Count in Bed Sheets?
Thread count is the number of horizontal and vertical threads woven into one square inch of fabric, often used as a marker of softness and quality in cotton bed sheets. In practice, weave type and fibre quality matter as much as the raw number, and counts much above around 400 show diminishing real-world benefit — so it is best read alongside material, not as the sole measure of quality.
What Does GSM Mean for Towels?
GSM (grams per square metre) measures the density and weight of a towel's fabric. Lighter towels, roughly under 400gsm, dry faster and suit quick everyday use or travel, while heavier towels above 500-600gsm feel plusher and more absorbent but take longer to dry — so GSM is a useful, comparable figure regardless of brand or colour.