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Paper Weight Calculator

Calculate paper weight from grammage or basis weight for any paper size with quantity and total weight calculations.

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Paper Weight Calculator

Paper weight is measured differently around the world — grams per square metre (GSM) for the metric system and basis weight in pounds for North American standards. This paper weight calculator converts between both systems and computes the weight of any sheet size. Enter grammage (GSM) directly or select a basis weight type (Bond, Text, Tag, Index, Bristol, or Cover) with its pound value, then specify your sheet dimensions and quantity to see per-sheet and total weights.

When using grammage mode, the calculator multiplies the GSM by the sheet area in square metres to find grams per sheet. In basis weight mode, it uses the standard basic sheet size for each paper type — for example, Bond uses 17×22 inches, Text uses 25×38 inches — to derive the weight for your custom sheet size. Results show weight per sheet and total weight in grams, kilograms, ounces, and pounds, making it easy to compare across unit systems.

For other paper and conversion tools, try the Paper Thickness Calculator or the Weight Converter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between GSM and basis weight?

GSM (grams per square metre) is a direct measure of paper density used worldwide. Basis weight (lbs) is a North American system where the weight is measured for a specific basic sheet size that varies by paper type — Bond, Text, Cover, and others all use different base sizes.

Why does basis weight use different basic sheet sizes?

Each paper type has a historic standard sheet size. Bond paper uses 17×22 inches, Text/Book uses 25×38 inches, Cover uses 20×26 inches, and so on. This means 20 lb Bond is not the same density as 20 lb Cover.

How much does a typical sheet of A4 paper weigh?

A single sheet of 80 GSM A4 paper (210×297 mm) weighs exactly 5 grams, since A4 is 1/16 of a square metre. Five hundred sheets weigh 2.5 kg.

What paper weight should I use for business cards?

Business cards typically use cover stock between 250 and 350 GSM, or roughly 65 to 100 lb Cover. The calculator helps you convert between these values for any sheet size.