Which measurement is used to determine wool fineness?

• A. Wool Color Index
• B. Fiber Length
• C. Crimp Distance
• D. Micron Diameter

Answer: (D)

Wool fineness is determined by the fiber diameter, expressed in microns. The micron value indicates how thick each wool fiber is; smaller values mean finer wool, while larger values indicate coarser wool. This single measurement directly captures the thickness of the fibers that influence softness, feel, and processing properties. In practice, devices measure fiber diameter at multiple points and average the results to define fineness. The other attributes—color index, fiber length, and crimp distance—describe color, staple length, and the fiber’s wave pattern, respectively, and do not quantify thickness.