What is Yarn Count? | Yarn Numbering System

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Yarn Count: Count is a numerical value, which express the coarseness or fineness (diameter) of the yarn and also indicate the relationship between length and weight (the mass per unit length or the length per unit mass) of that yarn. Therefore, the concept of yarn count has been introduced which specifies a certain ratio of length to weight.

Type of Yarn Count:

One distinguishes between two systems:

Direct Count System:

The weight of a fixed length of yarn is determined. The weight per unit length is the yarn count! The common features of all direct count systems are the length of yarn is fixed and the weight of yarn varies according yo its fineness.

The following formula is used to calculate the yarn count:

       W x l

N = ------

         L

Here,

N= Yarn count or numbering system

W = Weight of the sample at the official regain in the unit of the system. 

L = Length of the sample

l = Unit of length of the sample.

Definition of the above system is as follows :

• Tex System : No of grams per 1000 meters
• Denier: No Of grams per 9000 meters
• Deci Tex : No Of Grams per 10000 meters
• Millitex : No of milligrams per 1000 meters
• Kilotex: No Of Kilograms per 1000 meters
• Jute Count: No Of lb per 14,400 yds

The Tex of a yarn indicates the weight in grams of 1000 meters yarn, thus 40 Tex means 1000 meters of yarn weight 40 gram.

The Denier of a yarn indicates the weight in grams of 9000 meters yarn, thus 150 D means 9000 meters of yarn weight 150 grams and 100 D means 9000 meters of yarn weight 100 gm.

From above discussion it is concluded that higher the yarn number (count) coarser the yarn and lower the umber finer the yarn.

Indirect Count System:

The length of a fixed weight of yarn is measured. The length per unit weight is the yarn count.

The common features of all indirect count systems are the weight of yarn is fixed and the length of yarn varies according to its fineness.

The following formula is used to calculate the yarn count:

        L x w

N = ---------

        W x l

Here,

N= Yarn count or numbering system

W = Weight of the sample at the official regain in the unit of the system. 

L = Length of the sample

l = Unit of length of the sample.

w = Unit of length of the sample

Definition of the above system is as follows:

• English count system (Ne) : No of 840 yds lengths per pound
• Metric Count System (Nm) : No of Kilometers per kilogram
• Woollen Count (YSW) : No of 256 yds lengths per pound
• Worsted Count, NeK: No of 560 yd lengths per pound
• Linen count, NeL : No of 300 yd lengths per pound

The English Count, Ne indicates how many hanks of 840 yards length weigh one English pound. Thus, 32Ne means 32 hanks of 849 yards, i.e. 32x840 yards length weight one pound.

The Metric Count, Nm indicates how many hanks of 1000 meters length weigh one kg. Thus 50Nm means 50 hanks of 1000 meters i.e. 50x1000 meters length weigh one kg and 100Nm means 100 hanks of 1000 meters i.e. 100x1000 meters length weigh one kg.

From above discussion it is concluded that higher the yarn number or yarn count finer the yarn and lower the number or count coarser the yarn.

Most important conversion factors:

• 1 yard = 0.9144 meter
• 1 meter = 1.0936 yard
• 1 meter = 39.37 inch
• 1 cm = 0.3937 inch
• 1inch = 2.54 cm
• 1 m2 = 1.1960 yd2
• 1 gm = 0.0353 oz
• 1 oz = 28.350 gm
• 1 lb (pound) = 453.6 gm
• 1 lb = 0.4536 kg
• 1 kg = 2.2046 lb (pound)
• 1 m/kg - 0.4961 yd/lb 
• 1 yd/lb = 2.0159 m/k