What Is Modal Fabric? What It Is Made Of, and What It Is Like
Short answer. Modal is a soft fibre made from wood pulp, usually beech. The pulp is dissolved and spun back into fibre, which makes it a regenerated cellulose, or semi-synthetic, fibre: plant-based, but not a natural fibre in the way cotton or linen is. It is known for being smooth, fluid and slow to crease.
Modal turns up on labels for t-shirts, underwear, pyjamas and scarves, usually with little explanation. Here is what it is, what it is made from, and what it is like to wear. For its downsides, we wrote a separate, blunter piece: the disadvantages of modal fabric.
What is modal made from?
Modal is made from cellulose, the structural material of plants, taken from wood pulp. Beech is the usual source. The pulp is dissolved into a thick solution, pushed through fine holes called spinnerets, and set as long filaments, which are cut and spun into yarn. The raw material is a tree. The process is industrial chemistry.
That is why modal is called regenerated cellulose or semi-synthetic. It is not a synthetic like polyester, which is made from oil, and it is not a natural fibre like cotton, which is picked and spun as it grows. We walk through every stage in from beech forest to pyjama.
Is modal a type of viscose?
Yes. Modal belongs to the viscose family of fibres. It is made to be stronger when wet and to hold its shape better than ordinary viscose, which is why it survives a washing machine better. Lyocell (sold as TENCEL™) and "bamboo" fabric are close relatives. The names on the label tell you less than you would hope; we untangle them in modal, viscose, bamboo and TENCEL, explained.
What is modal fabric like?
| Property | What modal does |
|---|---|
| Hand feel | Very smooth and soft, with a slippery, silk-like touch |
| Drape | Falls in soft folds rather than standing away from the body |
| Creasing | Resists creasing; comes out of the wash close to smooth |
| Moisture | Absorbs more moisture than cotton, and feels less damp doing it |
| Colour | Takes dye well, so colours look deep and clear |
| Heat | Sensitive to it: hot washes and hot dryers shrink and dull it |
Is modal breathable?
Yes. Modal is a cellulose fibre like cotton, so air passes through the knit and the fibre takes up moisture rather than trapping it on the surface the way polyester does. How breathable a modal garment feels depends mostly on the knit and the weight. A fine modal jersey feels lighter than a dense one.
Is modal stretchy?
The fibre itself stretches very little. The stretch in a modal garment comes from two places: the knit, since jersey gives in every direction, and a small percentage of elastane blended in. A well-made modal pyjama set usually carries about 5% elastane, enough to move with you and return to shape.
Does modal shrink?
It can, if it is washed or dried hot. Wash it cold and dry it low or on a line, and modal keeps its size and softness for years. Our care guide has the exact settings.
Modal vs cotton
Cotton is crisper, takes a hot wash and is a natural fibre. Modal is softer, drapes more and creases less, but needs a cooler wash. We compare them in detail in modal vs cotton.
What is modal used for?
Anything that sits against the skin and should move with you: underwear, t-shirts, loungewear, scarves and sleepwear. Our own Modal Cloud sleepwear is 95% modal and 5% elastane, cut in UK 6 to 28 with Petite, Tall and Maternity fits. Whether that is the right fabric for you is answered in is modal good for sleepwear?.
Questions people ask about modal fabric
What is modal fabric made of?
Modal is made from cellulose taken from wood pulp, usually beech. The pulp is dissolved and spun back into fibre, so modal is a regenerated cellulose fibre.
Is modal a natural fibre?
No. Modal is plant-based but semi-synthetic: the raw material is wood, but the fibre is made by dissolving and re-spinning it. Cotton and linen are natural fibres; modal is not.
Is modal polyester?
No. Polyester is made from oil. Modal is made from wood cellulose and belongs to the viscose family of fibres.
Is modal breathable?
Yes. As a cellulose fibre, modal lets air through the knit and absorbs moisture rather than holding it on the surface, unlike polyester.
Does modal shrink?
Modal can shrink in a hot wash or a hot tumble dryer. Washed cold and dried low or on a line, it keeps its size.
Shop the story
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Modal Cloud collection
Our 95% modal, 5% elastane sleepwear, UK 6 to 28. -
Summerhouse Long Pyjama Set
The fabric this article describes, in a long cut. -
The disadvantages of modal
The honest list of what modal does badly. -
Care Guide
Wash and drying settings that keep modal soft. -
Pyjama Fabric Guide
Modal, cotton or silk: choose in two minutes.
