Denier (measure)

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Denier is a unit of measure for the linear mass density of fibers. Denier is defined as the mass in grams per 9 000 meters.

One can distinguish between Filament and Total denier. Both are defined as above but the first only relates to a single filament of fiber (also commonly known as Denier per Filament or D.P.F) whereas the second relates to an agglomeration of filaments.

The following relationship applies to straight, uniform filaments:

<math>D.P.F. = Total Denier / Quantity of Uniform Filaments</math>

The denier system of measurement is used on two and single filament fibers. Some common calculations are as follows:

1 denier	= 1 gram per 9 000 meters
	= 0.05 grams per 450 meters (1/20th of above)

This unit of measure is not in the International System of Units: dtex should be used instead.

[edit] Examples

A fiber is generally considered a microfiber if it is 1 denier or less.
A 1-denier polyester fiber has a diameter of about 10 micrometres.
Denier is used as the measure of density of weave in tights and pantyhose, which defines their opaqueness.