
WHAT IS KNOT DENSITY IN A RUG?
There are many factors to take into account when purchasing a rug and it can be daunting sometimes. Any rug you end up choosing, you are likely to keep it for a long time, possibly even a half decade or more. That is why it is important to feel confident about your rug purchase. Here, we will go through one of the major factors called knot density to judge the quality of any area rug.
What is Knot Density?
Knot density, also known as knot counts or knot points, tells us how many knots of yarn were passed on the back of the rug in the process of making it, usually measured in knot per square inch (kpsi) or knot per square meter (kpsm). The more knots, the higher the density and resolution exposure, which ultimately makes the rug heavier, softer, and full of appealing details.
How to Determine The Rugs’ Quality Based on Knots Density?
Knot counts can range from 40,000 kpsm and up to 2.5 million kpsm. Anything below 185,000 kpsm is considered low/cheap quality area rugs. Any rug within the range of 185,000 kpsm to 510,000 kpsm is considered medium quality area rugs. A rug with 510,000 or more knot counts per square meter is viewed as fine or premium quality, which can last for 10 years and more. As a general rule, the more knot counts, the better the quality. Think of it as pixels in a camera. When we have more tied knots within a square meter of an area rug, the better the area rug’s resolution. Rugs with curvilinear designs such as oriental patterns need higher knot counts for a better resolution exposure. When it comes to geometric designs, a rug can still be high-quality with far lower knot counts.

What is The Ideal Knot Density Level?
It depends on multiple factors, including but not limited to the following:
- Your budget
- How often you change your home decoration
- If quality is a major priority in your purchase
- Main purpose of the rug
Depending on the purpose of your rug usage and how long you wish to keep it, it is still highly recommended to shop any rugs with at least 185,000 kpsm or above to avoid quality disappointments.
Does Rug Depot Offer High Density Level Area Rugs?
Yes, currently Rug Depot carries three different premium quality collections:
- Turkuaz Collection – 1.5 million knots per square meter
- Bradford Collection – 600,000 knots per square meter
- Elegance Collection – 560,000 knots per square meter
Final Thought
Now that you understand better the role knot density plays in the quality of a rug, you can browse our selections with confidence and make an informed purchasing decision based on knot density. However, it is suggested to consider other factors too when buying a rug. The most important and obvious one is that you fall in love with your design choice because you will likely be living with it for years to come. You will want to also consider the pile height of a rug and the yarn used in the construction of the rug. If you want to learn how a rug can benefit you and your home, read the following article.