What does momme actually measure?

Momme — abbreviated as mm in the silk industry — is a traditional Japanese unit of weight that became the global standard for measuring silk density. The word derives from the old Japanese monme, a unit of mass equal to 3.75 grams. In practical terms, momme measures the weight in pounds of a piece of silk fabric sized 45 inches wide by 100 yards long. One momme equals approximately 4.34 grams per square metre. So an 8mm chiffon fabric weighs around 35 grams per square metre, while a 14mm twill weighs around 61 grams per square metre, and a 22mm fabric weighs around 95 grams per square metre. The higher the momme, the more silk fibre has been woven into that square metre of fabric. More…

Understanding Momme Weight: Why It Matters for Your Custom Silk Scarf

Q: How does momme affect a silk scarf?

For scarves specifically, momme has five practical consequences. The first is drape — lower momme silk floats freely while higher momme falls in a more deliberate, structured way. The second is opacity — at 8mm chiffon is translucent; at 14mm, twill and crêpe de chine are semi-opaque. The third is colour depth — the denser the weave, the more dye it absorbs and the richer the print appears. The fourth is durability — higher momme silk is more resistant to wear and repeated washing. The fifth is hem behaviour — heavier fabric holds a hand-rolled hem with more substance. Read our guide to hand-rolled vs machine hem to see why this matters.

Q: What momme weights does LS Silk offer?

LS Silk offers three standard fabric choices. Silk chiffon at 8mm is the lightest option — sheer, weightless, and completely fluid. At approximately 35 grams per square metre, it is barely there in the hand. Silk twill and silk crêpe de chine, both at 14mm, are the mid-weight standard at approximately 61 grams per square metre. This weight falls within the range most commonly used for premium scarves by heritage houses. Heavier weights — 16mm and above — are available on request. To understand how each fabric behaves at its momme weight, read our full guide to silk twill vs crêpe de chine vs chiffon.

Q: Is a higher momme always worth paying for?

Not always. The right momme is the one that serves the intended purpose of the finished piece. An artist creating a chiffon scarf to be worn loosely in summer does not need 18mm fabric — the lightness of 8mm chiffon is precisely the point. A museum gift shop commissioning a retail scarf retailed at $120 benefits from 14mm or higher because the hand feel of the piece needs to justify the price. If you are unsure which momme weight is right for your project, the brief conversation is the place to raise it. Discuss your project with us →

Quick answer: Momme weight is the measure of how much silk is in a fabric. One momme equals about 4.34 grams per square metre, so a higher number means a denser, heavier cloth with deeper colour and more body. For custom silk scarves, 14 momme is the classic weight, and 16 momme is noticeably more substantial. LS Silk offers silk twill at 14 and 16 momme and crêpe de Chine at 14 momme.

Every silk product you have ever bought had a momme weight. Most of them just never told you what it was. The number matters, not because higher is always better, but because the right weight for the wrong purpose disappoints.

What does momme measure?

Momme is a traditional Japanese unit of weight that became the worldwide standard for silk. One momme equals about 4.34 grams per square metre of fabric. You will sometimes see it shortened to “mm”, which has nothing to do with millimetres.

Momme	Grams per square metre	Typical use
8	About 35	Sheer chiffon scarves
14	About 61	Classic silk scarves
16	About 69	Heavier, more substantial scarves
22	About 95	Pillowcases and bedding

The higher the momme, the more silk is woven into each square metre. More silk means a denser weave, more weight, more opacity and richer colour.

Momme is not the same as quality. It measures density, not the grade of the silk fibre. It is one measure of a fabric, not the only one.

How does momme affect a silk scarf?

Drape. Lighter silk floats. Heavier silk falls in a more deliberate, structured way.
Opacity. At 8 momme, chiffon is translucent. At 14 momme and above, twill and crêpe de Chine are far more opaque.
Colour. Denser silk takes up more dye, so the print looks richer.
Durability. Heavier silk stands up better to wear and washing.
The hem. Heavier silk makes a slightly fuller hand-rolled hem. Read our guide to hand-rolled vs machine hems.

What momme weights does LS Silk offer?

In the Custom Studio you can choose:

Silk twill, 14 momme. The classic silk scarf cloth, balanced between structure and drape.
Silk twill, 16 momme. More substantial, with greater body and weight.
Crêpe de Chine, 14 momme. Softer and more fluid, with a matte surface.

Silk chiffon at 8 momme and silks heavier than 16 momme are available by quote. To see how each cloth behaves, read our guide to silk twill vs crêpe de Chine vs chiffon.

Is a higher momme always worth paying for?

Not always. The right momme is the one that serves the purpose of the finished piece. A light scarf meant to be worn loosely in a New Zealand summer does not need heavy silk. A scarf sold in a gallery shop for more than NZ$125 benefits from 16 momme, because the feel in the hand needs to justify the price.

The price difference is small. On a 65 cm scarf in a run of 30 to 49 pieces, twill at 16 momme costs about NZ$5 more per piece than twill at 14 momme. See our cost guide.

Ready to start? Choose your silk, size and finish and see your price straight away. Choose your silk in the Custom Studio →

Want a lighter or heavier silk than the standard range? Email support@lovesilk.co.nz.

Frequently asked questions

What is momme weight in silk?

Momme is the unit used to measure how much silk is in a fabric. One momme equals about 4.34 grams per square metre.

What momme weight is best for a silk scarf?

Most quality silk scarves are 12 to 16 momme. LS Silk offers 14 and 16 momme in the Custom Studio.

Does higher momme mean better quality silk?

Not automatically. Momme measures density, not the grade of the fibre. The right weight is the one that suits how the scarf will be used.

What is the difference between 14 momme and 16 momme silk?

Silk at 16 momme has about 14% more silk per square metre than silk at 14 momme. It feels heavier and has more body. The difference is noticeable by touch.

Does “mm” on silk mean millimetres?

No. On silk, “mm” is short for momme, a unit of weight.

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