Reed count (shaneh) and density (tarakom) are two numbers you will see in the specifications of almost any machine-made rug. Many buyers treat them as the same thing or look only at the bigger number. But reed count and density describe two different directions of the weave, and neither one determines a rug's quality on its own.
This article looks at what each number says, what it does not say, and how to read both when you buy.
What is reed count?
In Iranian rug-market usage, reed count (shaneh) refers to the number of knots or points in one metre of the rug's width 1. So when a rug is described as 1200-reed, that number relates to the width of the rug, not its whole surface. Some texts speak of "square metres of width", which is not a correct expression; reed count is a linear measure taken across the width.
On a weaving machine, the reed is the part whose dents the warp yarns pass through. International technical sources express this specification in "dents per metre" and give a common range of 160 to 500, and up to 700 dents per metre for high-quality rugs 23.
In the Iranian market, figures such as 1200, 1500 and 1600 reed are also common. The number stated on a rug is therefore not necessarily the same as the physical number of dents per metre. A reed count should be read together with that manufacturer's counting method.
What is density?
In market usage, density (tarakom) refers to the number of knots or points in one metre of the rug's length 4. So reed count relates to the width and density to the length. In technical specifications it is better to write the full name, "longitudinal density", to avoid confusion with other definitions.
| Specification | Direction | What it describes |
|---|---|---|
| Reed count (shaneh) | Rug width | Fineness of the weave across the width |
| Longitudinal density | Rug length | Compactness of the weave along the length |
| Points per square metre | Entire surface | The result of combining both directions, using a stated counting method |
Why should reed count and density be read together?
In technical sources, a rug's number of points is the reed density multiplied by the weft density 2. For example, using hypothetical figures, 500 dents per metre and 1000 wefts per metre equal 500,000 points per square metre.
This calculation should not simply be applied to catalogue figures. If the manufacturer's counting method is unclear, multiplying reed count by density may give an incorrect number. Treat a figure for points or knots per square metre as valid only when the manufacturer has stated it along with its counting method.
The common pairings of reed count and density quoted in the market are not a fixed rule either. Two rugs with the same reed count can have different longitudinal densities, so ask for each number separately.
What do 1200, 1500 and 1600 reed indicate?
Comparing these numbers is meaningful only within one counting system and with similar construction.
| Reed count | What it can indicate | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|
| 1200 | The possibility of smooth curves and small flowers across the width | Yarn material or longitudinal density |
| 1500 | The possibility of finer lines and details than 1200 | Greater softness or durability |
| 1600 | The finest detail of the three | Overall superiority or a guarantee of quality |
A higher reed count allows a design to have finer detail across the width. Whether the design has made good use of that possibility is another matter.
Does a higher reed count mean a better rug?
Not necessarily. Reed count speaks to the fineness of the weave, not to every property of the rug. Abrasion resistance depends on the fibre and on how tightly the pile yarns are packed 5. Pile compactness is in turn affected by several factors: the number of points, yarn thickness, row spacing and pile height 6.
For this reason, a rug with a high reed count but thin yarn and low pile will feel and perform differently from a rug with a lower reed count and thicker yarn. Yarn material is also a separate factor, and the reed count says nothing about it.
What to ask when buying
- What are this rug's reed count and longitudinal density, stated separately?
- What counting method was used for these numbers?
- If a figure for points or knots per square metre is given, how was it calculated?
- What are the pile yarn material, pile height and pile weight per square metre?
- Exactly which code, colour and size do these specifications apply to?
If you are comparing several rugs, put the numbers side by side only when the counting method is the same. Get the specifications in writing and do not rely on an image or a collection name.
Summary
Reed count shows the fineness of the weave across the width, and longitudinal density shows the compactness of the weave along the length. A bigger number alone does not mean a better rug. For a sound assessment, read these two numbers together with the yarn material, pile height and pile weight.
To see the technical specifications of designs, visit the FARSHINEH catalogue section. FARSHINEH specialists can also help you read specifications and compare designs.
Frequently asked questions
How many knots per square metre does a 1200-reed rug have?
You cannot tell from the reed count alone. You also need the longitudinal density and the manufacturer's counting method 2.
Does higher density mean greater durability?
Under the same conditions, more tightly packed pile resists abrasion better 5. But fibre, yarn thickness and pile height also have an effect 6, so one number is not enough to judge by.
Can you tell a rug's reed count from a photo?
Not reliably. Camera angle, image compression and lighting can make the fineness of the weave look different. The correct number should come from the specification sheet or label of that particular rug.
Sources
- Achareh. What Does Shaneh Mean in a Rug, and How Does It Affect the Weave? https://achareh.co/blog/what-does-carpet-weaving-comb-mean/
- Home Textile Journal. Carpet Weaving Technology: Complete Guide 2026. March 2026. https://hometextilejournal.com/carpet-weaving-technology-complete-guide-2026/
- Demey, S. Van de Wiele: Weaving carpets with reed density 700. March 2006. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291910451_Van_de_Wiele_Weaving_carpets_with_reed_density_700
- irbazar.ir. The Concept of Machine-Made Rug Density and Its Types. https://irbazar.ir/types-of-machine-carpet-density/
- Niemeyer, Shirley. G94-1222 Rug and Carpet Fibers: Selection and Care. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, 1994. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1935&context=extensionhist
- The Carpet and Rug Institute. The Carpet Primer. 2017. https://carpet-rug.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/The-Carpet-Primer.pdf