What is 300TC Fabric?

Thread count (TC) is often thought of as an indicator of the quality of a fabric. Let’s first see the actual technical side of what thread count actually constitutes. Thread Count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads in one square inch of fabric.

You will see thread count referred to with a number followed by TC, which stands for thread count, such as 200tc, 300tc or 400tc. So a 300tc or 300 thread count bed linen means there are 300 threads per one square inch of fabric. Thread count is a highly used phrase for describing luxury bed linen. The idea is the finer you can weave the threads together, the softer and finer the fabric will be, and the more likely it will wear well, evenly, and will soften and become more comfortable with each wash.

Beddings with 200 thread counts and above are considered to be of good quality. However while selecting the bed linen in addition to thread counts one should also consider the quality of fibers of cotton used, weave and finish of the fabric. From our experience we have seen that 200 to 600 thread count feels the best and lasts the longest. Sheets under 180 thread count tend to pile with wear and become scratchy to the skin.

When considering bed linen, there is a common misconception that quality increases linearly with thread count. While up to a point this may be largely true, weaving experts report that beyond 300 to 400TC, there is no further increase in quality. In fact, the amount of thread that can evenly fit into a square inch of fabric is limited and with very high thread counts (over 600) there is a sharp decrease in breathability, and an increased tendency for the fabric to bobble due to the fibres being overly compacted. It can be seen then,  that bedding beyond 400TC is likely to be simply a marketing gimmick – you pay more, but get less.

So, how to choose bed linen on the basis of thread count? According to Consumer Reports Magazine, cotton beddings with a thread count of 200 and above stand up to wear and tear the best and provide satisfactory comfort; And anything above 400TC is not necessary and just brings a bigger price tag with a compromised experience.

The same rule applies to 100% cotton hotel beddings too – 300 TC is considered in the luxurious, premium range. You will find 300TC organic cotton beddings are softer and more comfortable than other thread count beddings, these luxury hotel resorts prefer 300 thread count linens for its durability and crispness.