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Conversion

Paper Weight Converter (gsm ↔ lb bond / cover / text)

There are two paper-weight systems. Metric GSM (grams per square metre) measures paper density directly and is independent of sheet size. The US system quotes the total weight of a 500-sheet ream — but each paper grade has a different basis sheet size (Bond 17 × 22 in, Cover 20 × 26 in, Text 25 × 38 in, Index 25.5 × 30.5 in, Tag 24 × 36 in). As a result "80 lb Bond" and "80 lb Cover" are completely different thicknesses. The tool converts in both directions using each grade's basis-size factor and shows typical use cases.

Equivalent weight in every unit

gsm (g/m²)

301

lb Bond

80

lb Cover

111

lb Text / Book

203

lb Index

166

lb Tag

185

Typical use (by gsm)

Standard business cards / invitations (250–350 gsm)

Formula

gsm = lb × factor[type]; factor: Bond 3.7597, Cover 2.7041, Text 1.4801, Index 1.8147, Tag 1.6276

US pound (lb) basis weight is the total weight of 500 sheets (one ream) at the type's basis size — but each grade has a different basis size, so 80 lb Bond is NOT the same paper as 80 lb Cover. Bond is 17 × 22 in, Cover is 20 × 26 in, etc. Metric gsm measures grams per m² regardless of cut size — far less ambiguous.

Formula

gsm = lb × factor[type]; lb_type = gsm / factor[type] factor = { Bond: 3.7597, Cover: 2.7041, Text: 1.4801, Index: 1.8147, Tag: 1.6276 } (factor derived from 453.592 g/lb and the basis-size area of each grade)

Frequently asked

Which is heavier — 80 lb Cover or 80 lb Text?

80 lb Cover ≈ 216 gsm — heavy cardstock for postcards or brochure covers. 80 lb Text ≈ 118 gsm — magazine-interior / premium-flyer weight. Both labels say "80 lb" but Cover is almost 1.8× heavier per sheet. The reason is the basis sheet size: Cover is 20 × 26 in, Text is 25 × 38 in (1.83× the area). 500 sheets of either weighs 80 lb, but each Text sheet has way more surface area, so the mass per m² is much lower. Always quote the grade when ordering paper.

I want to print 250 business cards — what gsm should I order?

Standard business cards are 300–350 gsm (≈ 110–130 lb Index or 80–100 lb Cover) — firm to the touch, won't bend, professional finish. For a premium "heavy" feel go 400–600 gsm, but check that your laser printer can feed that thickness (home printers max out around 200 gsm; office printers ≈ 350 gsm). Lighter cards (230–280 gsm) are easier to cut and write on but bend more easily, suitable for flyer-style cards. Local print shops outside the US usually list 250 / 300 / 350 gsm; US shops ask "80 lb / 100 lb / 130 lb Cover".

Why does standard A4 copy paper say "80 gsm" on the package?

International offices standardised on 75–80 gsm (≈ 20–21 lb Bond) copy paper because it balances several goals: (1) thick enough to feed reliably through laser / inkjet printers without jams; (2) opaque enough that print on one side doesn't show through on the other; (3) light enough that a 500-sheet ream weighs a manageable ≈ 2.5 kg (80 gsm × A4 area 0.062 m² × 500 sheets) and stays cheap. Lighter 70 gsm is sold as "eco / budget" but shows ink through. 90 gsm is used for premium letterhead, meeting documents and contracts. Standard A4 rarely exceeds 100 gsm because double-sided printing and stapled bundles become unwieldy at higher weights.

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