Menu Close

Paper Weight Conversion GSM to LBS


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    1  gsm

lbs Cover    1  gsm

GSM to LBS

gsm    1  lbs Text
1  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.

paper weight in lbs for different papers

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.

paper weight in lbs
paper weight in gsm

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
Cover Paper Weight Conversion LBS to GSM
Text Paper Weight Conversion LBS to GSM

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
Cover Paper Weight Conversion GSM to LBS
Text Paper Weight Conversion GSM to LBS

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

If you request the knowledge about different papers, please visit here. Here are the futher information about different products printing, instant online quote. Any questions, please contact our printing experts.