We all know there are many counts of yarns, but many people don’t know there are general several kinds of count yarns applied in towel industry. They are 21s/2(21s count Yarn two ply), 32s/2（32s count Yarn 2 ply) and 16s/1(16s count Yarn one ply).
As the count number rise the yarn come finer, but two yarns combine by ring together get thicker. So the 21s/2 is thickest, the 32s/2 is finer, and the 16s/1 is the finest yarn among them.

According to the common sense, the more fine yarns the more delicate towel, then can we use 45s/1 , 60s/1 even 180s/1 yarn to weave towel? No, that is not practicable, that towel can not be use as a towel , it will be too delicate, and the towel will be too thin to use.

 Towels made from 21s feels relatively stiff and thick, offering a stronger, more robust structure. So 21s/2 usually used to weave heavy duty towel, which has great durability than the others. These towels are common in hotels which below 3 star.

Then is the 32s/2,

So towel made of 32s/2 is relatively soft and smooth, comfortable and durable.

16s/1 is finest yarns relatively , 16s/1 towels generally  has long pile loops of 16s/1, and which in spiral shape. These characters enable towels made of 16s/1 yarns absorbent and dry-quickly. And because of luxuriant piles 16s/1 towels are  luxury, soft, comfortable and thirsty, dry-quickly, but such towels’ durability can not compete 21s/2 and 32s/2.

Above we  discussed the difference between 16s/1, 32s/2 and 21s/2 as pile loops of towels.

Towels have a special weaving system, it is composed of ground and loops. Ground like normal fabric made of warps and wefts, and additional warps made the loops. 

The towel base usually made of 21s/2 (warps)and 16s/1(picks/wefts) plain weave.

Close up of 16s/1 loops

Close Up of 32s/2 loops/piles

Close up of 21s/2 loops

31s and 21s yarns are finer than 16s, but 32s/2 and 21s/2 ring spun yarn are much stronger.

As loops, 16s/1 are long and spiral looks fluffy and luxury relatively delicate than 32s/2 and 21s/2.