22 Momme vs 19 Momme Silk: What’s the Difference – and Which Is Better?

If you’ve been shopping for a silk pillowcase, chances are you’ve come across two numbers again and again: 19 momme and 22 momme.

At first glance, the difference seems tiny. Does an extra three momme really matter? Is 22 momme silk actually better? And is it worth paying more for?

The short answer is that both can be beautiful, genuine silk. The difference lies primarily in the weight and density of the fabric. For products designed to be used regularly; particularly silk pillowcases- we believe 22 momme offers an exceptional balance of softness, substance and durability.

It’s why, at Silk Works, we chose 22 momme Grade 6A pure mulberry silk not only for our pillowcases, but throughout our collection.

Here’s what you need to know before choosing between the two.

At a Glance

19 momme silk: lighter, more fluid and generally less expensive.

22 momme silk: heavier, denser and more substantial, with more silk by weight in the same area of comparable fabric.

Our choice: 22 momme for the balance it offers between beautiful softness and the durability needed for pieces that become part of an everyday ritual.

First, What Does Momme Actually Mean?

Momme (pronounced mom-ee) is the traditional measurement used to describe the weight of silk fabric.

It’s a little like looking at the weight of linen or cashmere: the number doesn't tell you everything about quality, but it does tell you something important about the substance of the fabric.

The higher the momme, the heavier the silk fabric.

So, all other things being equal, 22 momme silk contains more silk by weight than 19 momme silk across the same area.

If you'd like to understand the measurement in more detail, read our complete guide to what momme means and why it matters.

For now, the important thing to remember is this:

Momme tells you about weight. It doesn't, on its own, tell you everything about quality.

The grade and quality of the silk fibres, the weave, finishing and construction of the finished piece matter too.

19 Momme vs 22 Momme: What’s the Actual Difference?

Three momme may not sound significant, but there is a measurable difference.

For an equivalent area of comparable silk fabric, 22 momme contains approximately 16% more silk by weight than 19 momme.

That additional weight creates a denser, more substantial fabric.

The distinction is worth making because 19 momme is not poor-quality silk.

A beautifully made 19 momme pillowcase using high-quality silk can be far superior to a poorly made 22 momme pillowcase.

That's why we wouldn't recommend choosing silk based on the momme number alone.

Is 22 Momme Better Than 19 Momme?

For a silk pillowcase intended for nightly use, we prefer 22 momme.

But that doesn't mean 19 momme is inherently inferior.

Nineteen momme produces a lighter silk that can feel beautifully soft and fluid. Depending on the product and your personal preference, that may be exactly what you're looking for.

22 momme has more weight and density. For something such as a pillowcase which is slept on night after night and washed regularly, we think that extra substance is worthwhile.

It's the balance that matters.

Silk can be woven at considerably heavier weights than 22 momme, but heavier isn't automatically better either. The aim isn't simply to find the biggest number on a label.

For us, 22 momme is the sweet spot: substantial enough for regular use while retaining the softness, fluidity and elegance that make silk so special.

The takeaway

19 momme is a good-quality lightweight choice. 22 momme is our preferred choice for an everyday luxury such as a pillowcase, where both softness and longevity matter.

Is 22 Momme Good for a Silk Pillowcase?

This is where the difference becomes particularly relevant.

A pillowcase has to work surprisingly hard.

You sleep on it for around eight hours a night. It experiences movement and friction. It absorbs some moisture and natural oils from the skin and hair. And unlike many luxury textiles, it needs to be washed regularly.

That means we want silk to be exquisitely soft, but we also need it to be practical.

This is precisely why we chose 22 momme silk for Silk Works pillowcases.

The denser fabric feels beautifully substantial without losing the characteristic smoothness and drape of pure silk.

And because 22 momme has more silk by weight than 19 momme for an equivalent area of comparable fabric, it has the potential to withstand regular use better, provided the quality of the fibres, construction and care are comparable.

If you're deciding whether a premium pillowcase is worth investing in, you may also like our guide: Is a Silk Pillowcase Really Worth It?

But Momme Isn't the Whole Story

This is perhaps the most important thing we'd like you to take away from this guide.

Don't buy silk based on momme alone.

A high momme number looks impressive on a product page, but it can't compensate for poor-quality fibres or construction.

When choosing a silk pillowcase, we'd look for the following:

100% pure mulberry silk
Check the fibre composition rather than relying on words such as “silky” or “satin”.

Grade 6A silk
The quality of the raw silk matters alongside its weight. At Silk Works, we use Grade 6A mulberry silk throughout our collections.

A suitable momme weight
For a pillowcase, we favour 22 momme because of the balance between softness, density and durability.

OEKO-TEX® certification
This provides independent assurance that the textile has been tested against the certification's limits for harmful substances.

Thoughtful construction
Details such as finishing, stitching and closure matter too. Our pillowcases feature a discreet hidden zip to help keep the pillow neatly in place.

In other words, momme tells you how heavy the silk is. It doesn't tell you the entire story of how good the finished product is.

For a deeper buying guide, read How to Choose the Best Silk Pillowcase – and How to Spot a Fake.

What About 25 Momme Silk?

You may also come across 25 momme, and sometimes even higher weights when shopping for silk.

Again, more isn't automatically better.

A higher momme simply means a heavier silk fabric. Whether that's desirable depends on what the silk is being used for.

We deliberately didn't set out to find the highest possible number.

Instead, we wanted the weight that made the most sense for the pieces we were creating: silk that felt wonderfully luxurious but remained fluid, comfortable and suitable for regular use.

For Silk Works, that was 22 momme.

It's a useful principle whenever you're comparing luxury materials: specifications should serve the product, rather than simply giving a brand a bigger number to advertise.

Why Does 22 Momme Silk Usually Cost More?

Quite simply, there is more silk by weight in an equivalent area of 22 momme fabric than in 19 momme.

But momme is only one part of the cost of a finished silk product.

The quality and grade of the raw silk, weaving, dyeing, finishing, construction and craftsmanship all contribute too.

That's why two pillowcases labelled “22 momme” can still differ considerably in quality and price.

Rather than asking only:

“What momme is it?”

We'd ask:

“What am I actually getting?”

A transparent silk brand should make it easy for you to understand the material you're buying.

Why Silk Works Uses 22 Momme Grade 6A Silk

When developing Silk Works, we could have used different silk specifications for different products.

Instead, we made a conscious decision to establish one uncompromising standard.

From our pillowcases and eye masks to our scrunchies and loungewear, our collection is made using 22 momme, Grade 6A, 100% pure mulberry silk.

Why?

Because we believe the smallest pieces deserve the same consideration as the largest ones.

A silk scrunchie may use considerably less fabric than a pillowcase or a piece of loungewear, but it's still part of your daily ritual. We didn't see a reason to compromise on the silk simply because the product was smaller.

That consistency has become an important part of what Silk Works stands for: fewer, better things, made from exceptional natural materials and designed to be enjoyed again and again.

So, Which Is Better: 19 Momme or 22 Momme?

There isn't a universal winner.

If you prefer a lighter more fluid silk, or are working within a particular budget, a good-quality 19 momme silk can be a perfectly lovely choice.

If you're looking for a silk pillowcase that feels more substantial and is intended to become part of your nightly routine, we would choose 22 momme.

Just remember that momme should never be considered in isolation.

Our ideal combination is:

22 momme + Grade 6A + 100% pure mulberry silk + excellent construction.

That's the standard we chose for Silk Works.

And ultimately, that's what buying beautiful silk should be about: not chasing the largest number, but understanding exactly what you're investing in.

Explore our collection of 22 momme Grade 6A pure mulberry silk pillowcases, thoughtfully made for nights of exceptional comfort and mornings that feel a little more considered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 22 momme silk better than 19 momme?

Twenty-two momme silk is heavier and denser than 19 momme silk and contains more silk by weight across an equivalent area of comparable fabric. That can make it particularly well suited to products such as pillowcases that are used and washed regularly. However, momme isn't the only measure of quality; silk grade, fibre quality and construction matter too.

Is 19 momme silk good quality?

Yes. 19 momme can be an excellent silk weight and shouldn't be confused with low-quality or imitation silk. It simply produces a lighter fabric than 22 momme.

What is the best momme for a silk pillowcase?

There's no single specification that's right for everyone, but 19–22 momme are commonly used for quality silk pillowcases. At Silk Works, we chose 22 momme because we wanted a slightly denser, more substantial fabric for regular use.

Does a higher momme always mean better silk?

No. Momme measures fabric weight, not overall quality. A higher momme doesn't automatically mean better raw silk, better weaving or better construction.

Is 22 momme silk thick?

Compared with 19 momme, 22 momme is heavier and denser, but it still retains the softness and fluidity associated with silk. It's substantial rather than bulky.

How much heavier is 22 momme than 19 momme?

For an equivalent area of comparable fabric, 22 momme is approximately 16% heavier by weight than 19 momme.

Explore our collection of 22 momme Grade 6A pure mulberry silk pillowcases, thoughtfully made for nights of exceptional comfort and mornings that feel a little more considered.