Yarn count is a numerical expression that defines the fineness or coarseness of a yarn, and it is used to express how fine or coarse (or thin or thick) the yarn is in the textile industry. It is usually measured by the number of grams per one kilometer of yarn, a unit of measure called “Tex” . However, the spinning industry tends to use English cotton count, which is determined by the number of yarn hanks (each 840 yards long) per pound of yarn, and is notated “Ne” . The larger the number, the finer the yarn and vice versa. Yarn count is an integral part of the textile industry, and product costing fully depends on it.

There are different systems for expressing yarn fineness, depending on the material and region. The direct count system is commonly used for filament yarns that comprise polyester, silk, and other synthetic fibers expressed in Tex and Denier units. The indirect count system is generally used for cotton, worsted, linen (wet spun), etc. The count of yarn expresses the number of length units in one weight unit. Thus, the higher the count, the finer the yarn.

In summary, yarn count refers to the thickness of a yarn and is determined by its mass per unit length. It is an essential factor in the textile industry as it determines the coarseness of the material and facilitates calculations when the weight has to be taken into account in the process of manufacture.