Monday, July 6, 2026

Cotton Hank Yarn Rates: A Comparative Reading Across Counts and Yarn Types

Cotton Hank Yarn Rates: A Comparative Reading Across Counts and Yarn Types

A yarn rate sheet may look like a plain list of rupees per kilogram, but it contains a useful story about yarn count, spinning route, processing, fineness and value addition. When the rates are arranged count-wise and type-wise, the market logic becomes clearer. Coarser yarns sit at the lower end of the rate range, medium counts form the practical commercial middle, and finer, combed, compact, doubled or specially finished yarns move into the premium zone.

This article interprets the cotton hank yarn rates for June 2026 without referring to individual supplier names. The purpose is not to compare one supplier with another, but to understand how price changes with count and yarn type. The rates are quoted in rupees per kilogram and should be read as indicative trade rates subject to availability and confirmation.

Table of Contents

1. Why Yarn Count Matters

In cotton yarn, count is a way of expressing fineness. In the English cotton count system, commonly written as Ne, a higher count generally means a finer yarn. Thus, 80s cotton is finer than 40s cotton, and 100s cotton is finer than 60s cotton. This is an indirect count system, where the number increases as the yarn becomes finer.

The broad relationship can be written as:

\( Ne = \frac{\text{Length in yards}}{840 \times \text{Weight in pounds}} \)

This formula is useful because it reminds us that count is not merely a number printed in a rate sheet. It is linked to length, weight and yarn fineness. In general, finer yarn requires better fibre quality, more controlled spinning and more careful processing. Therefore, its rate per kilogram usually rises.

However, count alone does not explain the full rate difference. A 60s carded yarn, a 60s combed yarn, a 60s compact yarn and a 2/60s doubled yarn do not occupy the same value position. The spinning method, combing, compacting, doubling, gassing, mercerising and finishing route may all influence the final price.


Visual 1: Cotton hank yarn rate ladder showing coarse, medium, fine and premium yarn zones.

2. Count-Wise Rate Ladder

The June 2026 rate sheet shows a very wide spread. At the lower end, very coarse condenser yarn is quoted at around ₹79 per kg. At the upper end, very fine doubled and specially processed yarn reaches around ₹1,040 per kg. This means the highest listed yarn is more than thirteen times the lowest listed yarn.

The following table groups selected counts and yarn types into a simpler comparative view. Where more than one rate was listed for the same count and type, an approximate average has been used for interpretation.

Yarn count / type Approx. average rate ₹/kg Rate range ₹/kg Interpretation
2s Condenser 79 79 Very coarse and lowest-priced category in the sheet.
6s K 140 138–142 Coarse yarn segment with moderate pricing.
10s K O.E. 164 159–174 Open-end coarse yarn, priced higher than 6s but still in the lower band.
20s Carded 264 257–270 Clear movement into the medium-count zone.
26s Carded 285 285 Slightly finer than 20s, with a moderate rate increase.
30s K 290 290 Practical medium-count yarn.
40s K 310 310 Finer yarn with stable quoted rate.
40s K Compact 315 315 Compact version shows a small premium over regular 40s.
60s K 375 375 Fine-count segment begins to show stronger price movement.
60s Combed 405 405 Combing premium becomes visible.
80s Combed 536 528–545 Fine combed yarn with a much higher price band.
100s Combed 645 645 Very fine yarn category with strong premium positioning.

The broad pattern is clear. The price rise from 10s to 40s is gradual, but after 60s the curve becomes sharper. This is expected because finer counts demand better cotton, better control over fibre length variation, lower short-fibre content and more careful spinning.

3. Processing Premium: Carded, Combed, Compact and Mercerised

A useful way to read the rate sheet is to compare not only the count but also the process. For example, 40s K is around ₹310 per kg, while 40s compact is around ₹315 per kg. The premium here is small. This suggests that in this count range, the additional value assigned to compact spinning is visible but not very large.

The premium becomes stronger at finer and doubled counts. For example, 60s K is around ₹375 per kg, while 60s combed is around ₹405 per kg. This is an increase of about 8%. In doubled yarn, 2/60s K averages around ₹407 per kg, while 2/60s combed is listed at ₹503 per kg. That is a much sharper premium.

The processing premium can be understood through textile logic. Combing removes short fibres and improves yarn cleanliness, smoothness and spinning quality. Compact spinning reduces the spinning triangle and can improve yarn structure by reducing hairiness and improving strength. Mercerising and gassing add further value by improving surface appearance, lustre and smoothness.

Comparison Lower-priced version Higher-priced version Approx. premium What it indicates
40s regular vs compact 40s K: ₹310/kg 40s K Compact: ₹315/kg About 1.6% Compact premium is present but small in this count.
60s K vs 60s combed 60s K: ₹375/kg 60s Combed: ₹405/kg About 8% Combing premium becomes more meaningful at finer counts.
2/60s K vs 2/60s combed 2/60s K: about ₹407/kg 2/60s Combed: ₹503/kg About 24% Doubled and combed yarn occupies a higher value zone.
2/80s combed vs specially finished 2/80s Combed: ₹634.36/kg 2/80s special finished yarn: ₹859/kg About 35% Special finishing can command a large premium.

Visual 2: Processing premium map showing how carded, combed, compact, doubled and mercerised yarns move upward in value.

4. Doubled Yarns and Why They Need Separate Reading

Doubled yarns such as 2/10s, 2/40s, 2/60s, 2/80s and 2/100s should not be compared mechanically with single yarns. In a doubled yarn, two strands are twisted together. This changes strength, handle, fabric behaviour and end-use suitability.

For example, 2/10s K is around ₹176 per kg, while 2/40s carded is around ₹326 per kg. Moving further up, 2/80s combed is around ₹634 per kg, while 2/100s CGM is around ₹740 per kg and 2/120s CGM reaches ₹1,040 per kg. These rates show that doubling combined with fineness and special processing creates a premium segment.

Doubled / special yarn type Approx. average rate ₹/kg Rate range ₹/kg Reading
2/6s K 150 150 Coarse doubled yarn.
2/10s K 176 172–179 Economical doubled yarn in coarse-to-medium segment.
2/17 NF 276 275–280 Mid-range doubled yarn.
2/30s K 295 295 Stable medium-count doubled category.
2/40s Carded 326 325–330 Higher than single 40s due to ply structure and count position.
2/60s K 407 405–410 Fine doubled carded segment.
2/60s Combed 503 503 Combed doubled yarn with clear premium.
2/74s Combed Gas Mercerised 705 704.85 Fine, doubled and specially processed yarn.
2/80s Combed 634 634.36 Premium fine doubled yarn.
2/80s Special Finished 859 859 High-value special finish category.
2/100s CGM 740 740 Very fine doubled processed yarn.
2/120s CGM 1,040 1,040 Highest listed premium yarn in this sheet.

This table also shows why buyers must avoid a simplistic “count only” comparison. A 2/80s yarn with special finishing is not merely another 80s yarn. It has a different processing history and a different expected performance level.

5. Practical Buying Interpretation

For handloom, fabric development and sourcing decisions, the rate sheet can be read in four broad zones. The first zone is coarse yarn. This includes very low counts and yarns used for heavier, rustic or utility applications. These yarns are price-friendly but may not give the refined handle required for finer fabrics.

The second zone is the medium-count range, such as 20s, 26s, 30s and 40s. This is often the practical commercial zone because it balances cost, fabric utility and manageable yarn quality. For many regular woven fabrics, this range is easier to justify commercially than very fine counts.

The third zone is fine yarn, especially 60s, 80s and 100s. These yarns are suitable where surface appearance, smoothness, drape and lightweight fabric character matter. The rate is higher, but the yarn can support finer fabric aesthetics.

The fourth zone is the premium processed category. Doubled, combed, compact, gas mercerised or specially finished yarns may be chosen when the fabric needs better strength, cleaner appearance, smoother surface, better lustre or more refined handle. These should be purchased with a clear fabric objective, not only because they look technically superior.


Visual 3: Buying decision matrix linking count, process, rate level and fabric end use.

6. Quick Takeaways

Observation Meaning for buyers and textile learners
Rates rise with count, especially after 60s. Finer yarns need better fibre and better spinning control, so the price curve becomes steeper.
Processing affects price strongly. Combing, compacting, doubling, gassing and mercerising can create clear premiums beyond count alone.
Doubled yarns need separate interpretation. They have different construction, strength and end-use behaviour compared with single yarns.
Special finishing can add a large premium. The buyer should connect the premium with fabric requirement, not just technical terminology.
The lowest rate is not always the best decision. The correct yarn is the one that fits fabric quality, loom performance, handle, appearance and target price.

The final lesson is simple. Yarn price is not decided by count alone. It is shaped by a combination of count, spinning route, fibre quality, processing, ply structure, finish and availability. A good buyer reads the rate sheet not only as a price list, but as a technical map of yarn value.

8. Selected Sources

  1. Current-month cotton hank yarn rate schedule. 2026. Cotton Hank Yarn Rates for the Month of June 2026.
  2. Bureau of Indian Standards. 1966. IS 3689: Conversion Factors and Conversion Tables for Yarn Counts.
  3. International Organization for Standardization. 1973. ISO 1144: Textiles — Universal System for Designating Linear Density (Tex System).
  4. CottonWorks. 2017. Textile Yarns.
  5. Mohamed, S. S. 2014. Compact Spinning System for Fine Count Egyptian Cotton Yarns. Austin Journal of Textile Engineering.

9. General Disclaimer

This article is intended for educational understanding of cotton hank yarn rates, count comparison and yarn-type interpretation. The rate values discussed here are based on a specific monthly rate sheet and should not be treated as permanent market prices.

Actual yarn buying should consider availability, quality confirmation, testing, moisture, packing, transport, delivery terms, lot variation, end-use requirement and commercial negotiation. For production decisions, buyers should verify yarn specifications, physical test results and current confirmed rates before placing orders.

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