Momme (mm) – Understanding silk weight and quality
Silk has long been associated with luxury, and silk pyjamas were once seen as something only the wealthy could afford. Today, Mulberry silk is more accessible – and at Silky-Dream®, we offer premium silk products across a range of price points.
One key factor in choosing silk is its momme weight – often abbreviated as “mm.” Momme is a traditional Japanese unit that measures how heavy and densely woven the silk fabric is. The higher the momme number, the more silk has been used – resulting in a richer, more durable material.
???? What is momme?
Momme (pronounced like “mommy”) measures the weight of a silk piece that is 100 yards long and 45 inches wide. If that fabric weighs 19 pounds, its momme weight is 19 mm. That equals approximately 4.33 grams per square meter.
For silk pyjamas and bedding, here are the recommended ranges:
- 12–16 mm: Good quality – light and breathable
- 19–25 mm: Premium quality – highly durable and luxurious
- Below 12 mm: Very thin silk – less resistant to wear
???? Thread count vs. momme – which matters more?
Thread count measures how many threads are woven per centimeter – important for softness and durability. But momme weight reveals the density and richness of the fabric. The best silk combines both: high thread count and high momme – ideally around 19 mm and over 1000 threads/cm.
???? Typical momme weights for different silk types
| Silk Type |
Momme Weight |
| Charmeuse |
12–22 mm |
| Chiffon |
6–8 mm (up to 16 mm in double layers) |
| Crepe de Chine |
12–18 mm |
| Gauze |
3–5 mm |
| Georgette |
8–12 mm |
| Habutai |
5–16 mm |
| Organza |
4–6 mm |
| Raw Silk |
35–40 mm |
The higher the momme weight, the more luxurious and long-lasting the silk. At Silky-Dream®, we use 19–22 mm Mulberry silk in our pyjamas and bedding – to give you the ultimate comfort and elegance.
Source: TexereSilk – Silk Information Dictionary
