Thread Weight

Understanding Thread Weight System | Learn Correct Thread Measurements

Standards for classifying the size of thread are confusing. It would help if the industry would choose just one standard and apply it across the board but that isn't going to happen. The most commonly used classification in the U.S. and Europe is the weight standard, such as 30 wt., 40 wt., and 50 wt. Whoever started the weight classification is responsible for all the confusion. 

Here's how it all started:-
 
Just a few years ago, there were only three common sizes of thread. Thin threads were labeled 50 wt., regular weight threads were labeled 40 wt., and heavy threads were labeled 30 wt. These numbers, 30, 40, and 50, were borrowed from another standard, known as the Gunze Count standard, establish by thread factories in Japan. If a thread was labeled as a #40 or 40/3 in Japan, it was labeled a 40 wt. thread in the U.S. Likewise, if a thread was labeled #50 or 50/2 or 50/3 in Japan, it was called a 50 wt. thread in the U.S. The problem is that a 50/2 thread and a 50/3 thread are different.
 
The first number follows the Gunze Count standard and indicates the thread size. The larger the number, the finer the thread. The second number indicates the number of strands, or plies, twisted together. Obviously, a 50/3 is heavier than a 50/2 because it has three strands of a size 50 thread twisted together and the 50/2 has only two. The misunderstanding in the U.S. weight system came about because importers started labeling #30 thread as 30 wt., #40 thread as 40 wt., and #50 thread as 50 wt., regardless of the number of strands comprising the thread. That means a 50/2 and a 50/3 thread were both labeled as 50 wt. thread even though one is 50% heavier than the other. As a result, many products that use the weight classification have labels that are inaccurate.


There are always threads that are labelled inaccurately. If you see a label with an odd wt. number such as 17 wt. or 19 wt., it is most likely accurate. However, if it is a commonly used weight such as 30, 40, or 50 wt., it may or may not be accurate. I'm not one to point out a problem without proposing a solution, so here is how to deal with inaccurate labels: Ignore the weight number on the label. Choose thread based on the type of fibre, look, feel, and thickness and not by the printed weight size. Trust your eyes and fingers more than the label. You'll get better results and be much happier with your selection. Choose fine threads to blend and medium and heavier threads to show.