What is GSM in Linen Fabric?
Posted: 25 July 2025
If you're used to cotton sheets, you're probably familiar with thread count. But linen plays by different rules..
Instead of thread count, linen is measured using GSM, or grams per square metre. So what does that actually mean, and how do you know what’s good?
French Flax Linen Quilt Cover in Natural
GSM: The Basics
GSM stands for grams per square metre, quite literally, the weight of a one-metre square piece of fabric.
Higher GSM = Thicker, denser, and more durable fabric
Lower GSM = Lighter, softer, and more breathable feel
Why Linen Uses GSM, Not Thread Count
Cotton sheets are often sold based on thread count (the number of threads woven into a square inch of fabric).
But linen fibres are naturally thicker, more irregular, and less tightly woven than cotton. So thread count doesn’t really apply.
Instead, GSM gives you a more accurate, meaningful way to compare linen products. It reflects:
- The heaviness or airiness of the fabric
- Its drape and structure
- How durable it might be over time
French Flax Linen Quilt Cover in Blush
What’s a Good GSM for Linen?
There’s no single perfect GSM, it depends on how you want your linen to feel. But for premium bedding, mid-to-high GSM is where the magic happens.
That mid-range 160–170 GSM zone is ideal for luxury bedding, and our 170 GSM linen sits right at the top of that range, offering softness, structure, and durability in one.
What Else Makes Great Linen?
GSM tells you a lot, but it’s not the whole story. When it comes to high-quality linen, fabric weight is just one piece of the puzzle. Here’s what else matters:
Quality: We use premium French Flax for stronger, smoother fibres that last.
Stonewashed Finish: Our linen is pre-softened, so you get that lived-in feel from the very first sleep.
Sustainable: OEKO-TEX® certified and small-batch made, better for you and the planet.
At I Love Linen, we’ve chosen 170 GSM French Flax linen because it’s beautifully breathable while being wonderfully soft. It’s the kind of quality that holds up night after night, wash after wash.
If you want linen that feels as good as it looks, GSM matters. And 170 is the magic number.
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