Thread Unit Converter

The thickness of threads can be expressed using various different units of measurement and numbering systems. What they all have in common is that the systems represent the weight of a unit length of thread.

There are three types of thread units, including fixed-length systems, fixed-weight systems, and special standards.

Fixed-length systems include Tex, dTex, and Denier;
Fixed-weight systems include Ne and Nm;
Other standard mainly refers to Ticket.

Tex—

Denier (Td)—

Ne (Cotton Count)—

Nm (Metric Count)—

Dtex (Decitex)—

Fixed-Length System

Larger number = thicker yarn

Tex

Definition: Weight in grams of 1000 meters of yarn

Formula: Tex = Weight(g) ÷ Length(km)

Example: 1 Tex = 1 gram per 1000 meters

Applications: Universal standard for sewing threads

Decitex

Definition: Weight in grams of 10,000 meters of yarn

Formula: dTex = Tex × 10

Example: 1 dTex = 1 gram per 10,000 meters

Applications: European standard, finer measurements

Characteristics: Larger number = thicker yarn

Denier

Definition: Weight in grams of 9000 meters of yarn

Formula: Denier = Tex × 9

Example: 1 Denier = 1 gram per 9000 meters

Applications: Synthetic filaments, hosiery, transparent threads

Characteristics: Larger number = thicker yarn

Fixed-Weight System

Larger number = finer yarn

Ne (English Cotton Count)

Definition: Number of 840-yard hanks in 1 pound of yarn

Formula: Ne = Length(yd) ÷ [840 × Weight(lb)]

Example: Ne 1 = 840 yards per pound

Applications: Traditional cotton industry standard, global usage

Nm (Metric Count)

Definition: Number of meters in 1 gram of yarn

Formula: Nm = Length(m) ÷ Weight(g)

Example: Nm 1 = 1 meter per gram

Applications: European technical documentation, wool industry

Other Standard

Larger number = finer yarn

Ticket

Definition: Special numbering system for sewing threads

Characteristics: Ticket ≈ 3 × Tex

Standard: Ticket 120 ≈ Tex 30 ≈ Ne 20

Yarn Structure Notation

Single yarn: Ne 40 (single strand of 40-count yarn)

Plied yarn: Ne 40/2 (2 strands of Ne 40 yarn twisted together)

Plied count: Total count = Single count ÷ Number of plies

Example: Ne 40/2 ≈ Ne 20 (after plying)

Most Commonly Used Convertion Formulas

Ne → Tex: Tex = 590.5 ÷ Ne
Ne → Nm: Nm = Ne × 1.693
Tex → Decitex: dTex = Tex × 10
Tex → Denier: Denier = Tex × 9
Tex → Ticket: Ticket = 3 × Tex (approximate)
Ticket → Ne: Ne = Ticket ÷ 6 (approximate)