Count, ply and denier are three common ways fabric and yarn are measured. They describe different things, and mixing them up is a common source of confusion when comparing fabrics or placing an order.
What Each Term Measures
- Count: measures yarn thickness (higher count = finer yarn). Used mainly for cotton and cotton-blend fabrics.
- Ply: the number of single yarns twisted together (e.g. 2-ply, 3-ply). More plies generally mean a stronger, thicker yarn.
- Denier: measures fibre thickness by weight, used mainly for synthetic filament yarns (e.g. polyester, nylon). Lower denier means a finer, lighter yarn.
Unsure which parameter matters for your order? Fabric weight is measured separately, in GSM.
Contact us with your requirements and we’ll help you specify it correctly.