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Paper weight comparison chart

Paperweight is measured in lbs. (pounds) and refers to the thickness and sturdiness of a sheet of paper.

The higher the number, the thicker the paper or cardstock.*

STANDARD BASIS WEIGHT (lbs) GRAMS/SQUARE METER (gsm)
20lb Bond/ 50lb Offset 75 gsm
24lb Bond/ 24#/60lb Offset 90 gsm
28lb Bond/ 28#/70lb Offset 105 gsm
32lb Bond/ 32#/80lb Offset 120gsm
50lb Book/Text/Offset 75 gsm
24#/60lb Book/Text/Offset 90 gsm
28#/70lb Book/Text/Offset 105 gsm
32#/80lb Book/Text/Offset 120 gsm
39#/100lb Book/Text/Offset 150 gsm
65lb Cover 175 gsm
32#/80lb Cover 215 gsm
39#/100lb Cover 270 gsm
130 lb Cover 300 gsm

*NOTE Paperweight does not refer to the actual weight of a single piece of paper.

LBS to GSM Formula:

1lb. of Text paper = 1.48 gsm. Multiply each pound of text paper by 1.48.

1 lb. of Cover paper = 2.708 gsm.

Multiply each pound of cover paper by 2.708.

Example:

32#/80lb. text = 118.4 gsm

32#/80lb. cover = 216.64 gsm