Convert Yarn Count

What is Yarn Count?

Yarn count is a key quality parameter that indicates the linear density or mass per unit length of yarn, expressed as a ratio of length to weight or weight to length. Yarn count reflects the yarn fineness, coarseness, or overall size, with thinner yarns producing lighter, finer, and softer fabrics, while thicker yarns result in heavier and coarser fabrics.

Why is Yarn Count Important?

Almost all the yarn produced in the world gets converted into fabric. Textile manufacturers, fashion designers, and those involved in producing fabrics or yarn-based products heavily rely on yarn count for quality control and product development. Yarn count impacts fabric properties like thickness, softness, strength, quality, weight, comfort, and fluidity. It also influences the appearance and texture of the fabric.

Types of Yarn Count

The count can be classified into two types of count systems based on natural and manmade fiber.

• Direct count system
• Indirect count system

Direct Count System is generally used for synthetic fiber, jute, silk etc. The common features of aII direct count systems are the length of yarn is fixed and the weight of yarn varies according to its fineness. Thus, higher the count, coarser the yarn.

The indirect Yarn Count System expresses the number of length units in one weight unit. So, the higher the count, finer the yarn. It is generally used for cotton, worsted, linen (wet spun) etc.

Yarn Count Formula

Different system or units are used to measuring the yarn count, depending on the material used and the area where the yarn was manufactured -

Yarn Count conversion

Here is the yarn conversion formula of few commonly used systems –

For more conversion systems, use the Yarn count converter calculator.