Paper weight converter (gsm to lb)
US printers state paper weight in pounds, and that number depends on the paper type; here you see it in gsm.
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How to use it
- Enter weight and unit.
- The result appears straight away and updates as you edit.
- Copy the result, or copy a link that keeps the same values to share it.
How it is calculated
A pound rating is the weight of 500 sheets at the type basis size. gsm = lb × 453.59237 ÷ (500 × basis area in m²). Basis sizes: Bond 17 × 22, Text 25 × 38, Cover 20 × 26, Index 25.5 × 30.5 in.
Example
Inputs: Weight = 80, Unit = gsm (g/m²). Result: Weight in gsm: 80 g/m²; Bond equivalent: 21.3 lb; Text equivalent: 54 lb.
Limits and caveats
- Weight does not fix thickness; two papers of the same weight can differ in caliper by fibre and coating.
Questions about this tool
What gsm is standard 20 lb copy paper?
20 lb Bond is about 75 gsm, and 24 lb Bond is about 90 gsm.
Why does the pound rating depend on paper type?
Each type is weighed at a different basis size, so 80 lb Text is lighter than 80 lb Cover.
What is 80 lb Cover in gsm?
About 216 gsm.