Cotton · Organic
Organic cotton: what the label means
“Organic” describes how the cotton was grown – not how it feels. And the word on the label is only worth something if certification stands behind it.
Organic cotton is cotton grown according to the rules of organic farming and verified by a certification body. It tells you about the way it was grown and about checks along the supply chain – not about staple length, softness or durability. Short-staple organic cotton will feel just like short-staple regular cotton.
That is why it has the same ratings as regular cotton in our fabric passport. That is not a reservation – it is accuracy.
GOTS and its grades
The best-known standard for finished textiles is the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Unlike certification of the field alone, it also covers processing: spinning, weaving, dyeing, finishing and making up. GOTS distinguishes two main label grades:
| Label | Minimum share of certified fibres |
|---|---|
| organic / organic in-conversion | 95% or more |
| made with x% organic / in-conversion materials | 70 to 94% |
If a product carries only the words "organic cotton", with no logo and no certificate number, there is nothing for you to verify.
How much there is
Organic cotton is still a small segment. According to the Textile Exchange report (2021), it made up almost one per cent of the world's cotton harvest in the 2019/20 season. India grew half of it, followed by China, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Tanzania, Tajikistan and the USA. You will find more recent figures in Textile Exchange's current reports; we give the ones we were able to verify.
What to look for
- The certification logo (GOTS, for example) and the grade of the label.
- A licence number or certification body that can be looked up.
- For blends: what share is organic and what the rest is.
If softness and durability are what you are after, the deciding factors remain staple length, the yarn and the weave.
Fabric passport
Organic cotton
Gossypium (various species)
- Origin
- Largest share: India (50% in the 2019/20 season, according to Textile Exchange)
- Fibre
- Cotton from certified organic farming – staple length depends on the variety
- Type
- natural plant fibre
- Feel
- The same as regular cotton of the same variety and processing
- Breathability
- High
- Durability
- Medium – depends on the variety and yarn
- Best for
- Clothing and bed linen, where how the cotton is grown matters to you
- Care
- As for regular cotton
Relative tendencies how we rate
“Organic” describes the farming method and the certification, not the properties of the fibre. That is why it scores the same as regular cotton.
Regular cotton
Gossypium hirsutum
- Origin
- Worldwide – most of the world’s production
- Fibre
- Upland-type fibre – shorter than the long-staple species
- Type
- natural plant fibre
- Feel
- Pleasant and more matt; softness depends heavily on the yarn and finish
- Breathability
- High
- Durability
- Medium
- Best for
- Everyday clothing, bed linen, towels
- Care
- Usually machine washable; may shrink at high temperatures and in the tumble dryer
Relative tendencies how we rate
The most widely grown type of cotton. Well-made regular cotton can feel nicer than badly made “premium” cotton.
Compared
| Property | Organic cotton | Regular cotton | Egyptian cotton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Softness | 3/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Breathability | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Warmth | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Drying speed | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Durability | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy care | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency to crease | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Origin
India and other countries
According to Textile Exchange, India grew half of the world's organic cotton in the 2019/20 season.
Care
- Care is the same as for regular cotton – follow the label.
The label on the individual product always takes precedence.
Sources
- GOTS – Labelling (label grades)
- Textile Exchange 2021 Organic Cotton Market Report – as reported by Texdata (2019/20 season)
Last checked . First published 12 October 2026. Editorial policy · Report an error