What is Towel GSM and Why Does it Matter?

When it comes to choosing the right towel, thickness, colour, absorbency, and GSM are all things to consider. You’re probably aware of the first three, but you might be wondering ‘what does GSM mean for towels’? 

With our decades of expertise in crafting sumptuous bath towels, the experts at Christy are on hand to tell you all about towel GSM, especially what it means and how you can use it to upgrade your post-bath routine. 

Think it’s time to upgrade your towels? Explore our premium towel bundle & bale sets for guaranteed softness and transform your bathroom into a luxurious haven. 

What does GSM mean for towels? 

GSM, which stands for grams per square metre, is used to measure the weight of a towel. Most bath towels range between 300 to 900 GSM, with 300 being a lower GSM and 900 being a higher GSM. When it comes to towels, GSM can help to gauge their quality. 

Typically, a towel with low GSM is light and thin whereas a towel with high GSM is thicker, softer, and more absorbent. More luxurious and premium towels, such as our Egyptian Renaissance Towels, boast a high GSM of 675. Made from absorbent Egyptian cotton, these towels are the epitome of classic luxury and won’t shed, despite being our fluffiest towels. In fact, if you’re worried about fraying, there are plenty of ways you can stop your towels from shedding. 

A general guideline to GSM ranges in cotton towels is as follows: 

300-400 GSM 

These towels are lightweight, thinner, and coarser. Kitchen hand towels are a good example of a towel with a low GSM. 

400 - 600 GSM 

Towels are made from a medium to higher weight, meaning that they are soft and absorbent. This GSM makes for a delightful bath or beach towel. 

700 - 900 GSM 

This is the highest and heaviest GSM weight for towels. Soft and absorbent, these towels are often high-priced and luxurious. 

A luxurious bath towel found in a hotel or spa is often made from the highest GSM cotton fabric, making it thick, soft, and absorbent. Christy prides itself on offering luxury bath towels that match these standards, proven by an impressive towel range of GSMs starting at 450 and building up to a splendid 730. 

What does low GSM mean? 

Using towels with a lower GSM doesn’t necessarily mean that they are unuseful or impractical. It simply means that they are not as absorbent as medium or high GSM towels. 

In fact, the benefits are that they are quicker to dry because they are lighter and thinner, and they often cost less since they are made with less material and lower quality cotton. 

Low GSM towels can wear out more quickly and become thin and frayed over time, meaning that they might not hold up well to frequent washing and drying. This means that they aren’t very long lasting and you might have to frequently replace them. 

It is much better to invest in at least one or two higher quality towels with a mid to high GSM, as these towels grow softer and more absorbent with repeated washes. 

However, GSM isn’t always the only factor in quality. Some mid to low GSM towels have a blend of lighter, quick dry fabrics, or innovative technology to maximise performance.  

Christy offers towels starting from 450 GSM, such as the Cirrus Quick Dry Towels. These lightweight towels, made from 100% combed cotton, are quick drying as well as sumptuously soft. After a revitalising shower, feel the luxurious texture of a heavier towel that dries in a fraction of the time. 

What does high GSM mean? 

Towels with a higher GSM usually offer a higher quality. In general, a towel that weighs 400 GSM and above is considered to be of good quality. The fabric in such towels is woven more densely, making them softer and more absorbent than towels with low GSM. 

High GSM towels are also better at absorbing dyes during the manufacturing process, so are often available in a wider or more interesting choice of colours along with traditional whites and ivories. 

However, because of their weight, towels with a high GSM take longer to hang dry, so must usually be washed in a smaller load by themselves. They are extremely high-quality towels, and therefore require a little more care and attention. 

One of our most luxurious and absorbent towels is the Luxe Turkish Cotton which offers an impressive 730 GSM. Made from 100% Turkish cotton, this towel is thick and velvety, perfect for enveloping yourself in after an unwinding soak. Designed with beautiful quality and high absorbency it’s no surprise that this is a customer favourite. 

How to care for luxury bath towels 

Here at Christy, we sell only the finest bath towels with a medium to high GSM. Enjoy bathtimes knowing that you will be met with a sumptuously soft and warming towel to enwrap you after a relaxing bath. 

Despite their thick absorbency and long life-span, even the highest quality luxury towels can become scratchy, stiff, and dull. This can be due to towel build-up, which happens from detergent and the minerals in hard water. Still, there are plenty of ways to wash and dry your towels to keep them soft and fresh. 

Follow these simple steps to keep the luxurious and silky-smooth feel of your Christy towels: 

1. Wash your towels in warm water with a colour care detergent and one cup of distilled vinegar which will clean the individual fibres of your towel. Don’t use fabric softener as this coats the fibres and reduces absorbency over time. 

2. Or, add half a cup of baking soda to your wash with your colour care detergent. This will help to freshen and remove any harsh smells. Remember to not use fabric softener. 

Dry your towels as usual, and embrace a soft and fluffy touch with a fresh and crisp scent. 

Invest in towels with high GSM by choosing Christy 

So, what does GSM mean for towels?

As we’ve answered above, towel GSM tells you the weight of a towel, which is crucial if you want a spa-like experience from the comfort of your own bathroom. 

With the finest fabrics and expertise on offer, shop Christy’s full range of luxurious bath products today.