Paper weight chart and gsm to lb converter
Paper weight chart and gsm to lb converter: calculate with the right basis. Bond, text, cover, index, bristol and tag. Change units and compare weights.
Gsm ↔ lb converter
What gsm and lb mean
Gsm: grams per square metre
Gsm means grams per square metre. A 100 gsm paper has 100 grams of mass for each square metre of sheet. It measures mass per area, not thickness.
Lb: pounds per basic ream
US lb is the mass of a ream of paper at a basic sheet size. These six conversions use 500 sheets. Bond uses 17 × 22 inches; cover uses 20 × 26 inches, so their pound numbers cannot be compared directly.
The basic sheet is a measuring convention, not the cut size in your pack. Cutting 20 lb bond into Letter or A4 does not change its gsm. A higher gsm means more mass for the same area; stiffness also depends on fibres, surface and thickness.
Why lb depends on the basis size
65 lb cover is about 176 gsm. 110 lb index is about 199 gsm. 24 lb bond is about 90 gsm. Always keep the basis name beside the lb value.
| Basis | Basic sheet (in) | Usually used for |
|---|---|---|
| bond | 17 × 22 | bond, writing, copy and printer paper |
| text | 25 × 38 | book, text and offset paper |
| cover | 20 × 26 | cover stock, most US cardstock |
| index | 25.5 × 30.5 | index bristol |
| bristol | 22.5 × 28.5 | bristol and tag |
| tag | 24 × 36 | tag, newsprint, tissue (ream sizes vary) |
Check the ream convention on specialist paper. Tissue can use a 480-sheet ream; watercolour paper uses a separate 22 × 30 inch basis. See watercolour product weights.
Common paper weight chart
Whole-number gsm values are common trade equivalents. The converter above shows the decimal result for the selected basis.
| US weight | Gsm · nominal | Paper guide |
|---|---|---|
| 16 lb bond | 60 | Printer paper |
| 20 lb bond | 75 | Printer paper |
| 24 lb bond | 90 | Printer paper |
| 28 lb bond | 105 | Printer paper |
| 32 lb bond | 120 | Printer paper |
| 36 lb bond | 135 | Printer paper |
| 50 lb text | 74 | Decorative paper |
| 60 lb text | 89 | Decorative paper |
| 70 lb text | 104 | Decorative paper |
| 80 lb text | 118 | Decorative paper |
| 100 lb text | 148 | Decorative paper |
| 50 lb cover | 135 | Cardstock |
| 65 lb cover | 176 | Cardstock |
| 80 lb cover | 216 | Cardstock |
| 100 lb cover | 270 | Cardstock |
| 110 lb cover | 297 | Cardstock |
| 130 lb cover | 352 | Cardstock |
| 90 lb index | 163 | Cardstock |
| 110 lb index | 199 | Cardstock |
| 140 lb index | 253 | Cardstock |
| 67 lb bristol | 147 | Cardstock |
| 80 lb bristol | 175 | Cardstock |
| 100 lb bristol | 219 | Cardstock |
Choose a weight for your craft
- Layered origami60–80 gsm
- Start with kami; choose a larger square when many layers meet.
- Fold-and-cut patterns60–90 gsm
- Thin copy or folding paper keeps the cutting packet manageable. Tissue suits light flags.
- Layered flowers20 gsm tissue
- Thin sheets lift apart after pleating. Use crepe for individually shaped petals.
- Cards and small boxes176–270 gsm
- Use cover stock and score the folds. Heavier sheets need larger tabs and firmer cuts.
- Painted decorations185–300 gsm
- Paint watercolour paper, let it dry, then cut the pieces.