If you’re on the hunt for new bedding that’ll help you achieve the sound, peaceful sleep that we’re all after, you’ve probably wondered what’s the best thread count for your bed sheets. 

While it’s natural to think a higher thread count translates to a softer, durable, more breathable fabric for your sheets, you may be surprised to know that this isn’t exactly true. When it comes to finding high quality sheets, does thread count actually matter? We spoke with two experts to break down everything you need to know about navigating the world of thread counts so you can rest easy.

What is thread count?

When shopping for a new set of bedding, you’re not alone in wondering what exactly thread count measures. “By definition, thread count is the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric,” says Ariel Kaye, the founder of home essentials brand Parachute.

Generally speaking, thread count measures the fineness of a fabric, and it’s “determined by adding the number of vertical warp threads and the number of horizontal weft threads,” says Deborah First, a professor of fibers at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

What is a good thread count for bed sheets?

Nothing beats waking up from an incredible sleep after a night of resting on soft, breathable bed sheets. So, when it comes to thread count, does the perfect number exist?

For bed sheets, First recommends looking at a thread count anywhere between 300 to 600. However, there are exceptions to this range — linen sheets, for instance, “which are wonderful for their breathability, will have a lower thread count,” she says. 

Kaye recommends a similar ballpark number, but suggests “the number for a ‘good’ thread count maxes out around 400.” When selecting sheets, it’s also important to “consider the impact of each material type on your style and preferences of sleeping,” she says.

Does thread count actually matter? 

Naturally, you might think opting for sheets with a higher thread count means they’ll be higher in quality, but that’s not necessarily the case. When choosing bed sheets, thread count should really only be considered one determining factor, First says. It “does not nearly have as much influence on elements like the feel, breathability, durability and ability to wash as much as the material itself does,” Kaye adds.

This is because thread count “has little to do with the actual quality of your sheets, despite what the industry has conflated it to mean,” Kaye says. So, assessing the thread content of the fabric is really what’s going to differentiate whether your sheets look and feel higher or lower quality. 

More:What is sleep hygiene? Tips and changes you can make to get better quality sleep.

As for choosing the right material for your bed sheets, linen and cotton, which are made from natural fibers, are typically more breathable than polyester, which is a synthetic microfiber. Similarly, pima and Egyptian cotton, which are long-staple fibers, “will have a smooth feel and be durable because of the length of the components that make up each thread,” First explains. 

In sum, do your research on what type of fabric best matches your sleeping needs, because in the end, thread count really isn’t as important as it’s made out to be.