Thread count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads per square inch of fabric. It is used as a rough indicator of the softness and feel of a fabric, and is often used in marketing to imply that a specific product is of higher quality than competing sheets. However, thread count is far from the only consideration when it comes to the overall quality of a set of sheets. Other factors that contribute to the performance of a set of bed sheets include the quality of the yarns, the manufacturers production process, the weave type, and many other factors.

While there is no magic number that is the perfect thread count, quality, comfortable sheets can be found with thread counts ranging from 200 to 800 and beyond. The best thread count is not always the highest, and the quality of the thread is more important. It is best to look for sheets with a thread count around 200-600 for most fabrics. Higher thread counts (800-1000) are often more expensive for little variation in softness. One common tactic to artificially inflate the thread count is to use double- or triple-ply threads, which are usually of lower quality. As each thread technically has two or three fibers, they are counted two or three times when it comes to the thread count. This could result in a higher thread count, but not necessarily a better quality sheet.

In summary, thread count is a measure of the density of threads used in a square inch of fabric, and is used as a rough indicator of the softness and feel of a fabric. While a higher thread count can indicate a softer sheet, it is not the only consideration when it comes to the overall quality of a set of sheets. Other factors, such as the quality of the yarns and the manufacturers production process, also contribute to the performance of a set of bed sheets. The best thread count for sheets is not always the highest, and it is best to look for sheets with a thread count around 200-600 for most fabrics.