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Reading Knot Density: What 60, 80, and 100 KPSI Actually Mean

Tsultrim Design Studio · August 30, 2026

Hands dyeing textile fiber in a natural indigo dye vat

Knot density — measured in knots per square inch (KPSI) — is the clearest technical signal of a hand-knotted carpet's resolution and durability. At 60 KPSI, motifs read as bold and graphic, well suited to traditional Tibetan tiger and dragon designs. At 100 KPSI, the same loom can resolve much finer gradients and curvature, suited to photographic or abstract gradient commissions.

Higher density also means a denser, more resilient pile in high-traffic hospitality settings. When specifying for a project, match density to viewing distance and foot traffic, not just budget.

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