How to choose towel GSM

GSM — grams per square metre — is the weight of the towel fabric. It is the most quoted towel number and the most misunderstood. A higher GSM means more cotton in the same area, which usually means a thicker towel. It does not, on its own, tell you how soft, absorbent or durable a towel will be.

Start with use, not weight

Ask three questions before choosing a number: how often will this towel be washed, how is it dried, and what experience should the guest have? A towel that is washed daily in a commercial laundry has different needs from one used occasionally in a premium suite.

• Higher weight: more substantial feel, longer drying time, higher laundry cost per piece
• Lower weight: faster drying, lighter to handle, can feel thin if the yarn quality is poor
• Mid-range: often chosen by hospitality buyers as a balance

What else matters as much as GSM

• Yarn type and twist — affects softness and lint
• Pile height and loop density — affects hand-feel
• Border and hem construction — affects durability
• Finishing — affects how the towel feels after the first wash