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 and 600tc .So a 200tc or 200 thread count bed linen means there are 200 threads per one square inch of fabric.
Bed sheets with 200 thread counts and above are considered to be of good quality. However while selecting the bedlinen in addition to thread counts one should also consider the quality of fibers of cotton used, weave and finish of the fabric.
If you're a fan of a heavier sheet with a sumptuously silk feel then you might be a fan of our 600 thread count heavenly sheets. If you prefer something a bit light weight and airy, even a 200 thread count premium sheeting will be a good choice. The Luxury resorts prefer our 300 thread count luxury sheeting for its durability and crispness.
The type of weave and quality of the cotton or other materials used makes a much bigger difference than the thread count number. That said, be suspicious of anything with a thread count higher than 600. It’s most likely been inflated in an effort to charge more for lower quality sheeting.
According to Consumer Reports Magazine, cotton sheets with a thread count of 200 and above stand up to wear and tear the best and provide satisfactory comfort. From our personal 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.
So in the end it comes down to what feels good to you. If you buy sheets in the 200-600 thread count range, you will get the most life out of them, and they are comfortable.