Premium growing conditions for Egyptian cotton results in a very long fiber: 1 1/2 inches to 2 1/4 inches. Pima cotton has a somewhat shorter fiber: 1 1/4 inches to 1 1/2 inches.
Rating
Egyptian cotton is held to be the best quality cotton. An exclusive variety of Pima cotton, Supima, is rated the second best. Generic Pima, which is grown not only in the U.S. but also in Peru, takes third. This rating by the cotton industry is based on fiber length, color and fineness of thread.
Thread Count
Thread count is based on the number of warp and weft threads found in a square inch of cloth. Warp and weft are the horizontal and vertical threads of fabric. Egyptian cotton is 200 to 500 threads per square inch and Pima cotton has a top rating of 350 threads per square inch.
Uses
Both Egyptian and Pima cotton are widely used in the bedding industry for sheets. They are also used to make towels, clothing, and printed and dyed yardage.
Rating
Egyptian cotton is held to be the best quality cotton. An exclusive variety of Pima cotton, Supima, is rated the second best. Generic Pima, which is grown not only in the U.S. but also in Peru, takes third. This rating by the cotton industry is based on fiber length, color and fineness of thread.
Thread Count
Thread count is based on the number of warp and weft threads found in a square inch of cloth. Warp and weft are the horizontal and vertical threads of fabric. Egyptian cotton is 200 to 500 threads per square inch and Pima cotton has a top rating of 350 threads per square inch.
Uses
Both Egyptian and Pima cotton are widely used in the bedding industry for sheets. They are also used to make towels, clothing, and printed and dyed yardage.