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Easily Calculate Paper Weight by Size & Type

Use our free Paper Weight Calculator to quickly find the exact weight of your paper based on size, type, and quantity. Ideal for printers, designers, and paper buyers, save time, reduce waste, and make informed choices.

Paper Weight Converter

GSM to Basis Weight

Paper Grade:

Grammage (GSM):

Basis Weight (lbs):

Formula:

Basis Weight (lbs) = GSM × (Width × Height) ÷ 1406.5

Result

Enter values to see result

Common Paper Weight Conversion Chart

Paper Type	Basis Weight (lbs)	GSM
Bond/Writing	16	60
	20	75
	24	90
	28	105
	32	120
Text/Book	50	74
	60	89
	70	104
	80	118
	100	148
	120	178
Cover	65	176
	80	216
	100	270
	120	325

This converter helps determine the basis weight (in pounds) for a ream of paper based on its weight in grams per square meter (GSM) and vice versa.

Understanding Basis Weight and Paper Types

Basis Weight refers to the weight of a standard-sized sheet of paper within its specific category. In the U.S., paper types are classified by their base size, which determines the calculation of their basis weight.

The term basis weight represents the weight of a ream (500 sheets) of paper at its designated base size. Since each paper type—such as Text, Cover, or Bond—has a different base size, the basis weights are not directly comparable. For example, an 80 lb. Text sheet is significantly lighter than an 80 lb. Cover sheet due to differences in their base sizes.

Below is a comprehensive paper weight chart that outlines the equivalent basis weights across various paper types, along with their corresponding g/m² (grams per square meter) measurements.

Bond Paper (Basis 17 x 22)

Bond	Cover	Index	Bristol	Tag	Text	g/m²
16	22	33	27	37	41	60
20	28	42	34	46	51	75
24	33	50	41	55	61	90
28	39	59	48	65	71	105
32	45	67	55	74	81	120
36	50	75	62	83	91	135

Cover Paper (Basis 20 x 26)

Cover	Bond	Index	Bristol	Tag	Text	g/m²
50	36	75	62	83	91	135
60	43	90	74	100	110	162
65	47	97	80	108	119	176
80	58	120	99	133	146	216
90	65	135	111	150	164	243
100	72	150	123	166	183	270
110	79	165	135	183	201	297
130	94	194	160	216	238	352

Index Paper (Basis 25-1/2 x 30-1/2)

Index	Bond	Cover	Bristol	Tag	Text	g/m²
90	43	60	74	100	110	163
110	53	74	91	122	134	199
140	67	93	115	155	171	253
170	82	114	140	189	208	307

Bristol Paper (Basis 22-1/2 x 28-1/2)

Bristol	Bond	Cover	Index	Tag	Text	g/m²
67	39	54	81	89	99	147
80	47	65	97	108	119	176
100	58	81	121	135	148	219
120	70	97	146	162	178	263

Text Paper (Basis 25 x 38)

Text	Bond	Cover	Index	Bristol	Tag	g/m²
40	16	21	33	27	37	60
50	20	27	41	34	45	74
60	24	32	49	40	55	89
70	28	38	57	47	64	104
80	31	43	66	54	73	118
90	35	48	74	60	82	133
100	39	54	82	67	91	148

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Easily Calculate Paper Weight by Size & Type

Paper Weight Converter

GSM to Basis Weight

Formula:

Result

Common Paper Weight Conversion Chart

Understanding Basis Weight and Paper Types

Bond Paper (Basis 17 x 22)

Cover Paper (Basis 20 x 26)

Index Paper (Basis 25-1/2 x 30-1/2)

Bristol Paper (Basis 22-1/2 x 28-1/2)

Text Paper (Basis 25 x 38)

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