Paper Weight Conversion GSM to LBS
In the process of printing, you will often come into contact with the following proper nouns–80lb paper, 100lb paper, 157gsm paper, 250gsm paper, but what does this weight refer to? Let’s take a look at the relationship between them through this article.
What’s LBS and GSM?
It has two ways to measure and account for paper weight. The weight of paper is measured in pounds in the US, and in grams per square meter (g/m²) outside the US.
Paper Weight Conversion Calculator
LBS to GSM
lbs Text = gsm
lbs Cover = gsm
GSM to LBS
| gsm | = lbs Text |
| = lbs Cover |
LBS
Standard American English Pounds (lbs.) refer to the weight of the paper. It is usually measured in the uncut size of the basic unit of 500 sheets (or one ream of paper) of paper weight.
When using LBS, paper type is a key factor. Different type of paper has different calculation rule. There are many types or categories of paper, here are some: bonds, text, index, Bristol and cover.
Each paper type has a different standard size known as FOLIO or “parent sheet”.
Paper basic weight is measured in pounds per 500 sheets in the standard size.
| Paper Types or Categories | Standard Size |
| Bond | 17×22″ |
| Cover | 20×26″ |
| Bristol | 22.5×28.5″ |
| Index | 25.5×30.5″ |
| Text | 25×38″ |
According to this form, we list different types of 80lb paper as example:
- 80lb bond paper: 500 sheets of 17×22″ bond paper = 80lb
- 80lb cover paper: 500 sheets of 20 x 26″ cover paper = 80lb
- 80lb Bristol paper: 500 sheets of 22.5 x 28.5″ Bristol paper = 80lb
- 80lb index paper: 500 sheets of 25.5 x 30.5″ index paper = 80lb
- 80lb text paper: 500 sheets of 25 x 38″ text paper = 80lb
You may find that the same amount of 80lb cover paper is heavier than 80lb text paper. Because 80lb cover paper is calculated with 20 x 26″ size paper and 80lb text paper is calculated with 25 x 38″ size paper.
GSM
GSM stands for grams per square meter. The weight of the paper is measured based on the paper cut into one square meter size. Regardless of the size of the paper, it is measured on the basis of one square meter. It doesn’t matter what type of paper. The GSM number is higher, the paper is heavier.
LBS to GSM Formula
The cover paper and inner paper have different conversion algorithm, please pay attention to distinguish them.
1lb. of Text paper = 1.48gsm. Multiply each pound of text paper by 1.48.
1 lb. of Cover paper = 2.708gsm. Multiply each pound of cover paper by 2.708.
For example：
80lb. Text paper (or 80# text paper) =118.4gsm
80lb. Coverpaper (or 80# cover paper)=216.64gsm
PS: #=LBS
Paper Weight Conversion Chart LBS to GSM
Here are the popular paper weight convert from LBSto GSM.
| Cover | Text | ||
| LBS | GSM | LBS | GSM |
| 60 | 162.5 | 60 | 88.8 |
| 70 | 189.6 | 70 | 103.6 |
| 80 | 216.6 | 80 | 118.4 |
| 90 | 243.7 | 90 | 133.2 |
| 100 | 270.8 | 100 | 148.0 |
| 110 | 297.9 | 110 | 162.8 |
| 120 | 325.0 | 120 | 177.6 |
| 130 | 352.0 | 130 | 192.4 |
Paper Weight Conversion Chart GSM to LBS
The following are the paper weight conversion from GSM to LBS.
| Cover | Text | ||
| GSM | LBS | GSM | LBS |
| 157 | 58.0 | 80 | 54.1 |
| 200 | 73.9 | 100 | 67.6 |
| 250 | 92.4 | 105 | 71.0 |
| 300 | 110.8 | 120 | 81.1 |
| 350 | 129.3 | 128 | 86.5 |
| 140 | 94.6 | ||
| 157 | 106.1 | ||
| 200 | 135.2 | ||
Paper Thickness and Paper Weight
In the GSM measurement, paper with higher GSM is thicker. Different types of paper with the same weight are different thicknesses. In common, with the same GSM paper, the uncoated is a little thicker than the coated paper.
In USA, the measurement of paper thickness is also called ″Caliper″.
1 inch=25.4mm.
Offset Paper
| GSM | Thickness for reference(mm) | Caliper for reference(inch) |
| 80 | 0.095 | 0.0037 |
| 100 | 0.123 | 0.0048 |
| 120 | 0.140 | 0.0055 |
| 140 | 0.160 | 0.0063 |
| 190 | 0.260 | 0.0102 |
| 250 | 0.335 | 0.0132 |
Gloss Art Paper
| GSM | Thickness for reference(mm) | Caliper for reference(inch) |
| 80 | 0.062 | 0.0024 |
| 105 | 0.095 | 0.0037 |
| 128 | 0.110 | 0.0043 |
| 157 | 0.150 | 0.0059 |
| 200 | 0.180 | 0.0071 |
| 250 | 0.240 | 0.0094 |
| 300 | 0.275 | 0.0108 |
| 350 | 0.410 | 0.0161 |
Matte Art Paper
| GSM | Thickness for reference(mm) | Caliper for reference(inch) |
| 80 | 0.070 | 0.0028 |
| 105 | 0.100 | 0.0039 |
| 128 | 0.125 | 0.0049 |
| 157 | 0.160 | 0.0063 |
| 200 | 0.195 | 0.0077 |
| 250 | 0.234 | 0.0092 |
| 300 | 0.320 | 0.0126 |
Coated One Side Paper
| GSM | Thickness for reference(mm) | Caliper for reference(inch) |
| 210 | 0.30 | 0.0118 |
| 250 | 0.35 | 0.0138 |
| 300 | 0.41 | 0.0161 |
| 350 | 0.50 | 0.0197 |
Grey Board
| Thickness for reference(mm) | GSM | Caliper for reference(inch) |
| 1 | 600 | 0.0394 |
| 1.5 | 900 | 0.0591 |
| 2 | 1200 | 0.0787 |
| 2.5 | 1500 | 0.0984 |
| 3 | 1800 | 0.1181 |
Grey Board (One Side White)
| Thickness for reference(mm) | GSM | Caliper for reference(inch) |
| 1 | 700 | 0.0394 |
| 1.5 | 1000 | 0.0591 |
| 2 | 1300 | 0.0787 |
| 2.5 | 1600 | 0.0984 |
| 3 | 1950 | 0.1181 |
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