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Printer's Resource
Learning Center
GSM - GRAMS per SQUARE METER - is an international standard used to measure paper weight.
In the United States, there are a number of differend standards used to describe paper, each based on a different "basis weight." We have compiled this comprehensive table designed to help compare GSM (grams per square meter) to various types of paper and their "Equivalent Weights."
While every attempt has been made to insure the accuracy of the information provided on this web page, no guarantee can be offered or implied. Micro Format, Inc. has compiled this information from a number of sources and cannot be held liable for errors and/or omissions.
-
Definitions:
- Basis Weight
The basis weight of a paper is the designated fixed weight of 500 sheets,
measured in pounds, in that paper's basic sheet size.
It is important to note that the "basic sheet size" is not the same
for all types of paper.
- Caliper
Caliper refers to the thickness of a sheet of paper expressed
in thousandth of an inch. This measurement is taken with a micro meter.
Normally, paper caliper should not have more than a + or - 5% variance
within a sheet. Generally, the relation between caliper and basis weight ....
the greater the caliper (the thicker the paper), the greater the paper weight.
- Equivalent Weight
While different paper types have different basic sizes,
papers can still be compared by using equivalent weight.
| Type Paper | Basic Size - 500 Sheets | |
| "Bond" Ledger Mimeo Duplicator Rag Paper |
17" x 22" | |
| "Offset" Book Text Coated Paper |
25" x 38" | |
| "Cover" |
20" x 26" | |
| "Tag Stock" |
24" x 36" | |
| "Index" |
25-1/2" x 30-1/2" |
The Values in the table below are intended to serve as a guide only.
They should not be used as specifications because there are variances
within the same basis weight due to other characteristics of the papers.
Similar weight papers may vary between different paper manufacturers.
GRAMS per SQUARE METEER (gsm) vs BASIS WEIGHT
Metric - gsm
(grams/sq meter)--
Bond
Ledger-
Offset
Text-
Cover
---
Tag
---
Index
--
Points
--
*Caliper
(inches)--
millimeters
--Equivalent
Weight60.2 gsm 16 40 22 37 33 3.2 .0032 0.081 67.72 gsm 18 45 24 41 37 3.6 .0036 0.092 75.2 gsm 20 50 28 46 42 3.8 .0038 0.097 90.3 gsm 24 60 33 56 50 4.8 .0048 0.12 105.35 gsm 28 70 39 64 58 5.8 .0058 0.147 109.11 gsm 29 73 40 62 60 6 .0060 0.152 116.63 gsm 31 81 45 73 66 6.1 .0061 0.155 120 gsm 32 85 45 74 67 6.15 .00615 0.156 131.68 gsm 35 90 48 80 74 6.2 .0062 0.157 135.45 gsm 36 90 50 82 75 6.8 .0068 0.173 146.73 gsm 39 100 54 90 81 7.2 .0072 0.183 150.5 gsm 40 100 56 93 83 7.3 .0073 0.185 161.78 gsm 43 110 60 100 90 7.4 .0074 0.188 165.55 gsm 44 110 61 102 92 7.6 .0076 0.193 176.83 gsm 47 120 65 108 97 8 .0078 0.198 199.41 gsm 53 135 74 122 110 9 .0085 0.216 203.17 gsm 54 137 75 125 113 9 .009 0.229 218.22 gsm 58 146 80 134 120 9.5 .0092 0.234 244.56 gsm 65 165 90 150 135 10 .0095 0.241 252.08 gsm 67 170 93 156 140 10.5 .010 0.25 270.9 gsm 72 183 100 166 150 11 .011 0.289 285.95 gsm 76 192 105 175 158 13 .013 0.33 308.52 gsm 82 208 114 189 170 14 .014 0.356 312 gsm 87 220 120 200 180 15 .015 0.38 385.06 gsm 105 267 146 244 220 18 .0175 0.445
- The darker colored boxes above represent the
"most common paper weights" for that category.
- Normal paper manufacturing tolerance within a
paper production run is + or - 5% to 7% caliper
- This Table was compiled by Micro Format, Inc.
- Copyright 1997-2015 Micro Format, Inc.
This table may be duplicated with permission from Micro Format, Inc.
| SIZE |
WIDTH (mm) |
HEIGHT (mm) |
WIDTH (in.) |
HEIGHT(in.) |
WIDTH (in.) |
HEIGHT(in.) |
WIDTH (mm) |
HEIGHT (mm) |
|
| A0 | 841 mm | 1,189 mm | 33.11 in. | 46.81 in. | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| A1 | 594 mm | 841 mm | 23.39 in. | 33.11 in. | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| A2 | 420 mm | 594 mm | 16.54 in. | 23.39 in. | 22 in. | 34 in. | 559 mm | 864 mm | |
| A3 | 297 mm | 420 mm | 11.69 in. | 16.54 in. | 11 in. | 17 in. | 279 mm | 432 mm | |
| A4 | 210 mm | 297 mm | 8.27 in. | 11.69 in. | 8.5 in. | 11 in. | 216 mm | 279 mm | |
| A5 | 148 mm | 210 mm | 5.83 in. | 8.27 in. | 5.5 in. | 8.5 in. | 140 mm | 216 mm | |
| A6 | 105 mm | 148 mm | 4.13 in. | 5.83 in. | 4.25 in | 5.5 in. | 108 mm | 140 mm | |
| A7 | 74 mm | 105 mm | 2.91 in. | 4.13 in. | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| B0 | 1,028 mm | 1,456 mm | 40.48 in. | 57.32 in. | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| B1 | 728 mm | 1,028 mm | 28.66 in. | 40.48 in. | 28 in. | 40 in. | 711 mm | 1,016 mm | |
| B2 | 514 mm | 728 mm | 20.24 in. | 28.66 | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| B3 | 364 mm | 514 mm | 14.33 in. | 20.24 in. | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| B4 | 257 mm | 364 mm | 10.12 in. | 14.33 in. | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| B5 | 182 mm | 257 mm | 7.17 in. | 10.12 in. | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
| B6 | 128 mm | 182 mm | 5.04 in. | 7.17 in. | -- | -- | -- | -- | |
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