Heads up: The Thread Count on Your Sheets Is Probably BS (2024)

To get the best sleep, you need the best sheets. To get the best sheets, you need a high thread count, right? Well, not necessarily.

In recent years, we've tested over 300 sheet sets and cross-referenced our results with the thread count to see if it directly correlates with high quality. Spoiler alert: It's less important than you'd think.

The fiber scientists in Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab test bed sheets to find the best set for every type of sleeper. We use specialized equipment to evaluate the durability and performance in our Lab, then have sleep testers try them out in their homes for feedback on comfort, appearance, ease of use and more. We also have consumer testers rate the softness of each sheet fabric in a blind comparison.

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Thread count is the total number of yarns per square inch of fabric. A high thread count often indicates finer yarns: You can fit more thin yarns into a square inch than you can thicker or coarser strands. As a result, the high thread counts have been associated with high-quality fabric because finer yarns are thought to make the sheets softer and more durable. In reality, thread count is irrelevant for some fabrications. Other factors — like the fiber quality and weave — are often more important when you shop for sheets.

In our tests, the best cotton bed sheets often have thread counts between 300 and 500. Anything above 500 isn’t necessarily better, and you should be skeptical of a thread count over 1,000. On the flip side, you can still find quality sheets with thread counts under 300. And even though our tests have shown that the 300 to 500 thread count range is a sweet spot, a sheet that falls within this range isn’t guaranteed to be high quality.

The only (I repeat, THE ONLY) time thread count matters is for 100% cotton sheets with single-ply weaves. A higher thread count could be a sign that smooth, fine yarns were used instead of thicker, coarser strands. It's still not a guarantee of quality — and shouldn't be the deciding factor when you purchase sheets — and it's the only time when thread count is even applicable.

If the sheets aren't 100% cotton with single-ply weaves, chances are thread counts are either misleading or irrelevant. In fact, some brands may not even specify the percentage of cotton or the ply when you shop, which creates even more confusion. Here's why thread count doesn't matter for other materials:

✔️ Multiple-ply yarns: Gimmicky marketers use two- or three-ply yarns to double or triple the thread count. A two-ply yarn means a thread is made up of two smaller strands that have been twisted together. We first reported on this misleading claim back in 2002 and, fortunately, you don’t see it quite as much anymore.

✔️Rayon (viscose, lyocell and modal): These fibers use plants as the raw material, but are chemically processed into semi-synthetic fibers. Similar to polyester, they can be manufactured into thin strands and aren't comparable to cotton.

✔️ Linen and silk: These are natural fibers, but linen sheets and silk sheets still can't have thread counts that are comparable to cotton. Linen is thick, so the thread count is inherently low, while silk is so thin that it's typically measured by fabric weight.

✔️ Flannel and knit fabrics: These sheet fabrics are often made with cotton, but you likely won’t come across thread counts for them because of their construction. That’s because flannel sheets are sold by fabric weight and jersey-knit sheets are made with continuous loops instead of weaves.

The best sheets to buy

We’ll make this one easy for you. Here are some of the best bed sheets from our tests, with prices listed for queen sizes:

Instead of looking for the thread count when you shop, here's what to consider as you choose your best set of sheets.

Fiber content

100% cotton is the most popular sheet fabric, and there are premium (i.e. “long-staple”) cottons (like Pima and Egyptian cotton sheets) that make the fabric even softer and more durable. Just keep in mind that these sheets may be more expensive, and there have been instances where brands mislabeled regular cotton sheets as Egyptian.

You can also find cotton/polyester blends, which cost less and are more durable and wrinkle-resistant, but they may not feel as natural. Then there’s 100% polyester, which you’ll see in both microfiber sheet sets that feel super soft and performance sheets that help wick sweat. You can also opt for linen, which is popular in the summer because it’s breathable and has a relaxed look.

Sheets made of rayon — the umbrella term for "regenerated cellulose" fibers, including viscose, lyocell and modal — have been gaining popularity because of their ultra-soft and smooth feel. Although these sheets often feel smoother and more breathable than cotton ones, they tend to be thinner and less substantial. You may see these described as "bamboo" or "eucalyptus," but note that there isn't any trace of these natural resources in the finished rayon fabric: The raw material gets chemically processed to make the rayon fibers. You may also see them described as Tencel, which is a brand name for lyocell and modal.

Construction

This is especially important when it comes to cotton sheets and can make a big difference in how the sheets feel. You’ll typically choose between percale and sateen. Percale is a basic, grid-like weave that feels light and crisp, while sateen is a satin weave that feels soft and smooth because it has yarns in one direction that float over several yarns in the opposite direction. Because of its grid-like weave, percale tends to have a lower thread count than sateen.

Other constructions include flannel for winter and jersey-knit sheets, which feel more like a T-shirt. Though it comes down to personal preference, our testers tend to prefer the smooth feel of cotton sateen.

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Why you can trust Good Housekeeping

Lexie Sachs is the executive director of strategy & operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has a degree in fiber science and oversees testing for bedding, including sheets. Lexie has been reviewing sheets since she joined Good Housekeeping over a decade ago, and during this time has rigorously evaluated more than 200 sets herself.