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spinning yarn count

Spinning Yarn Count

Understanding Spinning Yarn Count: A Quick Guide

The spinning yarn count describes how fine or coarse a yarn is. Below is a simple guide to the units used across the global textile industry, so you can order exactly the yarn you need.

Our engineering team at Sonbol Flax Co. has developed this intuitive spinning yarn count calculator to convert seamlessly between Nm1, mm2, and Lea3.

Simply enter your desired yarn diameter (mm), Nm, or Lea, together with the number of plies (the individual strands twisted together to form a stronger, thicker yarn)4.

You can also tailor your specification by choosing between wet-spun and dry-spun methods and selecting your final finish, polished or not polished.

Whatever your requirements, we are ready to bring your exact specifications to life. We hope this guide helps you choose the right yarn for your project. If you need further assistance, our team is always happy to help.5

Yarn Specification Calculator | Sonbol Flax Co

Yarn Specification Calculator

Sonbol Flax Co. | Premium Egyptian Flax Supplier

The percentage of single-yarn length lost when the plies are twisted together. Leave empty to ignore it.

Single Yarn Count (Nm)
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Single Yarn Count (Lea)
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Calculated Diameter
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mm
Final Count (Tex)
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Lea is the British count system for wet-spun linen. For dry-spun yarn, the Lea value shown is only a numerical equivalent, as dry-spun flax is traditionally counted differently (pounds per spyndle).

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Note: All calculated specifications are theoretical and derived from standard mathematical formulas. Actual production may exhibit minor practical variations (typically a deviation of up to ±5% or slightly more) due to machine tolerances, environmental conditions, and natural fiber characteristics. These figures serve as a precise reference guide, but final physical samples may vary slightly from the calculated values.

  1. Nm (Metric Count): The European Standard
    A fixed-weight system widely used in Egypt, Europe, and Asia. It states how many meters of yarn weigh exactly one gram. For example, Nm 20 means 20 meters of yarn weigh 1 gram.
    The rule: the higher the Nm number, the finer the yarn     ↩︎
  2. mm (Millimeters): Refers to the actual Diameter of the yarn. ↩︎
  3. Lea (Lea Count): The British Linen Standard
    The traditional UK and Irish system, used specifically for wet-spun flax and linen. It states how many 300-yard units weigh one pound. For example, 28 Lea means 28*300 yard (8,400 yards) weigh exactly 1 pound.
    The rule: as with Nm, the higher the Lea number, the finer the yarn.     ↩︎
  4. ply: The number of single yarns twisted together to form a stronger, more durable final yarn:
    1 ply: a single thread, very fine, used for delicate lace.
    2 ply: two threads twisted together, the most common choice for high-quality shirts and bed linen.
    3 or 4 ply: three or four threads twisted together, used for heavy-duty fabrics, canvas, and ropes.     ↩︎
  5. How to read them together
    A specification such as Nm 28/2 means two single yarns of Nm 28 are twisted together, giving a final yarn of approximately Nm 14 with extra strength and durability.     ↩︎