Buyer guide · Updated November 2026
400 GSM vs 600 GSM hotel towels
Same size. 50% more cotton. Here is what that changes for your guests, your laundry and your budget.
Side by side
One bath towel, two weights.
Economy
400 GSM
- Bath towel weight (70 × 140 cm)
- 392 g
- 1,000 pieces weigh
- 392 kg
- Commercial dryer
- 15–20 min
- FOB price
- $1.40–$2.20 /pc
- Best for
- 2 and 3 star hotels, hostels, serviced apartments, gyms, short-let hosts.
Premium
600 GSM
- Bath towel weight (70 × 140 cm)
- 588 g
- 1,000 pieces weigh
- 588 kg
- Commercial dryer
- 25–35 min
- FOB price
- $2.80–$3.50 /pc
- Best for
- 4 and 5 star hotels, resorts, spas and high-end residences.
A 600 GSM towel is 50% heavier than a 400 GSM towel of the same size. You pay for that weight in yarn, laundry time and freight.
The details
How they differ in use.
Try other weights
Somewhere in between?
Most 4-star buyers land on 500 or 550 GSM. Drag to compare.
Drag to pick a towel weight
Mid-weight. Most 3 and 4 star hotel bath towels.
Bars compare weights from 300 to 800 GSM. They are a guide, not lab results.
The loops
Weight per piece, drawn to scale
45 g
Face
30×30
140 g
Hand
40×70
490 g
Bath
70×140
810 g
Bath sheet
90×180
1,000 bath towels at 500 GSM weigh about 490 kg.
Bath towel 70×140 cm at 500 GSM, FOB Cochin
$2.20–$2.80 per piece · Mid-range band (500–550 GSM)
For buyers
Four things to remember.
500 GSM is the middle path
Most 4-star hotels choose it. It feels premium without the laundry cost of 600 GSM.
400 GSM suits fast turnover
Budget hotels with high daily laundry volume save time and energy.
Mixing is normal
Many hotels use 600 GSM bath towels with 400 GSM hand towels and face cloths.
Yarn matters too
Always write the cotton type (for example ring-spun combed) next to the GSM.
Not sure yet? The towel GSM guide covers every weight from 300 to 800 GSM.
Questions buyers ask
What does GSM mean for towels?
GSM means grams per square metre. A 400 GSM towel has 400 grams of fabric in each square metre; a 600 GSM towel has 600 grams. More GSM means more yarn in the loops: a deeper pile, more absorbency and more weight.
Is 600 GSM too heavy for hotel operations?
No, but it costs more to launder. A 70×140 cm bath towel at 600 GSM weighs about 590 g dry and much more wet, so it uses more water and energy and takes longer in the dryer. Hotels with very high laundry volume often choose 500 GSM instead.
Which GSM is best for 4-star hotels?
Usually 500–550 GSM. It feels clearly premium without the full laundry cost of 600 GSM. Many 4-star hotels pair 500 GSM bath towels with 400 GSM hand towels and face cloths. 5-star and resort properties usually choose 600 GSM or more.
Does higher GSM always mean better quality?
No. GSM measures weight, not quality. A 600 GSM towel made from short, open-end spun cotton can feel rough and pill fast. A 400 GSM towel made from long-staple ring-spun combed cotton can feel better. Specify both the GSM and the cotton type.
What GSM towels does Anabyn supply for hotels?
We supply hotel towels from 400 to 700 GSM in ring-spun combed cotton, made in specialist units in South India: 400 GSM for economy and serviced apartments, 500–550 GSM for mid-range and 4-star, 600 GSM for 5-star and 650–700 GSM for resorts and spas. OEKO-TEX certified lines are available on request. Trial runs start at 500 pieces. Wholesale pricing starts at 2,000 pieces per SKU.
Tell us your rooms and star rating.
We'll suggest a GSM for each towel and quote FOB Cochin with lead time.