What Is Momme? The Difference Between 16, 19, and 22 Momme Silk
When buying a silk pillowcase, silk duvet cover, or silk sheet, you will see terms like "22MM" or "19 momme" in the product name. Momme is the measure of how dense and full silk fabric is, and it is the most practical way to understand quality. In this article, we explain what momme means, the differences between 16, 19, and 22 momme, and how many momme you should choose for each product.
What does momme mean?
Momme (abbreviated as mm) derives from an old Japanese unit of weight and is used today to express the weight of silk fabric. Simply put, it shows the amount of silk in a given area: 1 momme is approximately 4.3 grams/m². That is, as the momme value increases, there is more silk in the fabric of the same size.
Just as "thread count" (TC) is for cotton duvet covers, momme is for silk: it describes how dense and full the fabric is. As momme increases, the fabric becomes fuller, less transparent, more durable, and more expensive.
Momme values and areas of use
| Momme | Approximate weight | Features | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8–12 momme | 35–52 g/m² | Very thin, light, and semi-transparent | Scarf, shawl, lining |
| 16 momme | 69 g/m² | Thin; can wear out quickly in daily use | Blouse, shirt, economical pillowcases |
| 19 momme | 82 g/m² | Medium thickness, commonly used quality | Pillowcase, pajamas |
| 22 momme | 95 g/m² | Full, opaque, and durable; more vibrant colors | Pillowcase, duvet cover, sheet, sleep mask |
The amount of silk per square meter as momme increases
1 momme ≈ 4.3 g/m². İpekshop pillowcases, duvet covers, and sheets are 22 momme.
What does 16 momme mean?
16 momme is a thin fabric containing approximately 69 grams of silk per square meter. It is frequently used in clothing. However, it thins and wears out more quickly in everyday use and frequent washing products such as pillowcases and duvet covers; therefore, it is considered the lower limit for home textiles.
What does 18 and 19 momme mean?
18–19 momme (approximately 78–82 g/m²) is the most common silk pillowcase quality on the market. It is soft and comfortable; however, it is thinner than 22 momme and wears out more quickly with frequent washing.
What does 22 momme mean? Why do we recommend 22 momme?
22 momme contains approximately 95 grams of silk per square meter. This means approximately %16 more silk than 19 momme. This difference is immediately felt by hand and seen by the eye:
- The fabric is fuller and more substantial, giving a smoother feel to the face and hair.
- It is less transparent; colors look deeper and more vibrant.
- It is more durable to frequent washing and daily use, therefore it lasts longer.
The best balance between softness, durability, and price for everyday use products such as pillowcases, duvet covers, and sheets is 22 momme. For this reason, all of İpekshop's silk pillowcases, silk duvet cover sets, silk sheets, and silk sleep masks are made from 22 momme fabric. The fabric of our premium silk duvets is also 22 momme.
How much does a 22 momme silk pillowcase weigh?
Since momme is a measure of weight, weighing the product is the easiest way to understand if the fabric is truly 22 momme. A standard envelope-type 50x70 cm pillowcase contains approximately 0.85 m² of silk fabric, including two sides, the flap, and seam allowances:
| Fabric | Calculation | Approximate weight of the 50x70 cm pillowcase |
|---|---|---|
| 16 momme | 0.85 m² × 69 g | ≈ 59 g |
| 19 momme | 0.85 m² × 82 g | ≈ 70 g |
| 22 momme | 0.85 m² × 95 g | ≈ 80–85 g |
Attention: Some pillowcases sold as "22MM" on the market weigh 50–65 grams. According to the calculation above, this weight corresponds to 16–19 momme fabric. When buying a product, ask not only about the momme value, but also its weight.
Is momme enough on its own?
No. Momme shows the density of the fabric, but it does not determine quality on its own; two fabrics of the same momme can be very different. Also look at the following:
- Silk type: The highest quality silk is mulberry silk, which has long and smooth fibers. The label should say "100% mulberry silk".
- Fiber class: Raw silk fibers are classified by quality; 6A is the class of the longest and straightest fibers.
- Weave: Sateen (charmeuse) weave is most commonly used in home textiles; one side is shiny and slippery, the other is matte.
- Single piece of fabric: Sewing large products such as duvet covers and sheets from a single piece of fabric without seams increases durability.
- Documentation: An independent laboratory report documents the type of silk. It is documented with an SGS laboratory report that İpekshop silk pillowcases are 100% mulberry silk.
How can you tell the momme of a product?
- If the momme value is not written in the product name or description, ask the seller; a brand that sells quality silk will provide this information clearly.
- Hold the fabric up to the light: lower momme silk is more transparent, 22 momme and above lets less light through.
- Weigh it: A 50x70 cm 22 momme pillowcase should weigh 80–85 grams. If it is lighter, the fabric is likely lower momme.
How many momme for which product?
| Product | Recommended momme |
|---|---|
| Pillowcase | 19–22 (ideal: 22) |
| Duvet cover and sheet | 22 |
| Sleep mask | 19–22 |
| Scarf and shawl | 8–16 |
| Blouse and shirt | 12–19 |
Does momme decrease with washing?
Momme is a structural property of the fabric and does not change with washing. However, the wrong detergent and high heat damage the silk fibers, causing the fabric to thin. For proper care, you can check our How to Wash Silk? guide.
In short
Momme shows the density of silk fabric: 1 momme ≈ 4.3 g/m². In everyday silk home textiles, 22 momme 100% mulberry silk offers the best balance. When buying silk products, be sure to ask about the momme value, weight, silk type, and documentation. For your questions, you can write to us on WhatsApp.
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