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Wire Gauge, Coil Types and Microcoils

By , Editor Updated First published

Desk research from official sources. Not a product test or medical advice. How we check facts.

In short

Wire gauge means spring-wire thickness. Thicker wire usually holds more load and feels firmer. Coil size and shape change contouring. Microcoils are tiny springs in comfort layers that raise the headline spring count. They are not the same as the main support unit below. Read gauge and where springs sit, not the count alone.

About 1 minutes to read

How it works

Educational diagram comparing thicker and thinner spring wire gauges beside a primary pocket unit and a microcoil comfort layer
Gauge sets load capacity. Microcoils often sit in comfort layers and inflate spring counts without replacing the primary unit.

What gauge means

Wire gauge tells you how thick the spring wire is. Thicker wire usually holds more weight and feels firmer. Pair this with spring tension vs comfort feel.

Coil roles in the stack

Coil role Job
Primary pocket / open-coil unit Main support
Microcoil layer Surface moulding / count on the label
Edge coils or foam rails Edge support

Frequently asked questions

What wire gauge is best?

There is no single best gauge. Thicker wire suits heavier people and firmer spring tension. Thinner wire suits lighter people and softer tension. Match gauge to your body weight using the maker's guide.

Are more microcoils always better?

Not always. Microcoils can help the surface mould to your body. A very high total count may mostly be tiny comfort-layer springs, not more main support springs. Ask where the springs sit in the stack.