Paper Weight and Thickness (GSM)
The thickness of paper or board from its GSM, the weight of one sheet and of the whole run, and the height of the stack.
- the stack (sheet thickness exaggerated, at most 24 sheets drawn)
- bars: the weight of the sheet and of the run
Paper thickness
333.3 µm
Sheet weight
210.0 g
Run weight
210.0 kg
Stack height
333.3 mm
How it is calculated
GSM is the mass of one square meter in grams. Thickness in microns = GSM ÷ density (g/cm³).
Sheet weight = area in m² × GSM. Run weight = sheet weight × quantity. Stack height = thickness × quantity.
thickness (µm) = GSM / density sheet weight (g) = area (m²) · GSM run weight (kg) = sheet weight · quantity / 1000
Worked example
300 GSM, density 0.9: thickness = 300 ÷ 0.9 = 333.3 µm.
A 700 × 1000 mm sheet = 0.7 m²: weight = 0.7 × 300 = 210 g; 1000 sheets weigh 210 kg and stand 333.3 mm high.
An estimate: the real density and thickness depend on the grade, the moisture and the calendering.
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