Cotton is a natural cellulose fiber from the cotton plant. Modal is a regenerated cellulose fiber made from wood pulp. Both are cellulose, both absorb moisture and both are comfortable, but they behave differently in garments.
Comparison#
| Property | Cotton | Modal |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Natural seed fiber | Manufactured from wood pulp |
| Feel | Soft to crisp, depending on yarn and finish | Very soft, smooth, cool touch |
| Drape | Moderate | Fluid, drapes closely |
| Moisture absorption | High | Higher |
| Color | Good; depends on dye class | Often brighter and deeper shades |
| Strength | Good, stronger when wet | Good dry; retains strength wet better than regular viscose |
| Shrinkage | Can be significant without finishing | Generally lower when well finished |
| Pilling | Depends on yarn quality | Often low, but fabric-dependent |
| Wrinkling | Wrinkles | Wrinkles less than cotton in many fabrics |
| Cost | Wide range; usually lower | Usually higher |
Where each fits#
- Cotton: T-shirts, polos, shirts, denim, basics, workwear. Familiar, durable and available in a very wide range of qualities.
- Modal: underwear, loungewear, premium T-shirts and tops where softness and drape matter.
- Cotton-modal blends (for example 50/50): combine cotton's structure with modal's softness and color. Common in underwear and basics.
Production notes#
Knitting and processing#
Modal yarns are usually smooth and even, which gives a clean fabric surface. Processing conditions differ from cotton; dyehouses need to follow the fiber producer's recommendations to avoid damage and uneven dyeing.
Sewing#
Modal jersey is fluid and can be slippery. Stable feeding, ball point needles and correct presser foot pressure help avoid seam waviness. See sewing needle selection.
Testing#
Test both for shrinkage, spirality (in single jersey), pilling and color fastness. Modal's softness can come with a higher tendency for surface fuzz in some fabrics, so pilling should be checked. See pilling testing.
Sustainability claims#
Claims depend on the fiber source and production. Cotton may be conventional, organic or recycled; modal may come from certified wood sources and closed-loop processes. Any claim must be backed by certification or chain-of-custody documents. See GOTS for organic cotton claims.
Choosing#
Choose on the product's needs: comfort, drape, durability, price and care. For a basic T-shirt at a tight price, cotton is usually the practical choice. For a softer, premium product, modal or a cotton-modal blend may justify the higher cost.
See also viscose vs modal.
Worked cost comparison#
Fabric price is only part of the story. A merchandiser comparing a 160 GSM cotton jersey with a 160 GSM cotton-modal jersey for the same T-shirt should compare cost per garment, not just price per kilogram:
| Cotton jersey | Cotton-modal jersey | |
|---|---|---|
| Consumption (kg/dz) | 2.32 | 2.32 |
| Fabric price per kg (example) | 4.50 | 6.20 |
| Fabric cost per dozen | 10.44 | 14.38 |
| Fabric cost per piece | 0.87 | 1.20 |
The prices are examples only. The point is that a higher price per kg changes the FOB directly in proportion to consumption. If the modal blend also allows a lighter GSM for the same hand feel, the difference narrows. Use the garment costing calculator with your own figures.
Related guides#
- Single jersey fabric: the knit where the cotton or modal choice is most often made.
- Different types of fabric for dresses and clothing: how modal and cotton compare with the other fibers used in clothing.
Frequently asked questions#
Is modal a natural fiber? It is made from natural cellulose, but it is a manufactured (regenerated) fiber, not a natural fiber like cotton.
Does modal shrink less than cotton? Well-finished modal fabrics are often more dimensionally stable than cotton, but results depend on the fabric construction and finishing. Test the actual fabric.
Which is better for sensitive skin? Both are cellulose and generally comfortable. Softness depends heavily on yarn, fabric and finish, so compare real fabrics.