What Is Momme? Your Guide to 19, 22 & 30 Momme Silk
19, 22 or 30? A simple guide to the number on the label—and what matters beyond it.
You’ve found a beautiful silk piece, and then the label starts speaking in numbers. Nineteen? Twenty-two? Thirty? It sounds a little like ordering coffee in a new café: you’d like the lovely one, please.
Momme is useful once you know what it measures. Here’s how to read it without turning your next scrunchie purchase into homework.
What does momme mean?
Momme, usually written as “mm”, measures silk fabric weight for a fixed area. It is not millimetres, thread count or a score for how healthy your hair will become. When comparing equivalent areas of silk, a higher momme number means a heavier piece of fabric.
Think of it as one clue about substance. You can feel a difference between a floaty scarf and a weightier silk fabric, even when both are genuine silk. Weave, yarn, finishing and construction help create that difference too.
19 vs 22 vs 30 momme: the quick comparison
| Momme | What it tells you | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | The lightest of these three weights | A lighter feel may suit the item; lighter does not automatically mean poor quality. |
| 22 | More fabric weight than 19; less than 30 | A substantial everyday option. This is the weight of TSV scrunchie outer fabric. |
| 30 | The heaviest of the three | A weightier feel, which may suit some bedding or garments. It is not essential for every accessory. |
Does heavier silk feel different?
With otherwise comparable construction, extra weight can give fabric a fuller feel and change how it drapes. A heavier specification can also reflect more material per area. But weight alone cannot tell you exactly how dense, soft or hard-wearing a finished item will be.
Yarn quality, the weave, stitching and the way you care for it all matter. A beautifully made lighter silk can be a better choice for its purpose than a heavier fabric with poor finishing. There is no universal rule that every extra momme buys extra years of wear.
Why our scrunchies use 22 momme
Our mulberry silk scrunchies have a 100% mulberry silk outer in 22 momme, with elastic enclosed inside. The fabric provides the silk surface and gathered finish; the elastic supplies the stretch.
Thin, Classic and Oversized describe different amounts of visible fabric—not different momme weights. If you want a fuller look, choose more fabric volume rather than assuming you need a heavier silk.
Three things to check before you buy
- The fibre: “silky” describes a feel, not a material. Look for clear fibre content.
- The construction: neat seams, suitable elastic and accurate measurements matter alongside momme.
- The care: choose something you are happy to wash and store as directed.
Your momme questions
Is 30 momme always better than 22?
It is heavier for the same area. Whether that is better depends on the product, its construction and the feel you prefer.
Does 6A mean the same thing as momme?
No. Raw-silk grading and fabric weight describe different things. Neither number alone is a finished-product guarantee.
Next, untangle another label mystery in silk vs satin, or find your preferred finish in our scrunchie size guide.
Further reading
For a fabric maker’s explanation, see JL Silk’s introduction to momme weight. Our product specifications come from the current TSV catalogue.