Paper Weight Converter (GSM)
Convert between GSM, US basis weight (lb Bond / lb Text), and paper categories.
| GSM | lb Bond | lb Text | Category | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 9 | 24 | Tissue | Tissue paper, Bible pages |
| 60 | 16 | 41 | Lightweight | Tracing paper, airmail |
| 75 | 20 | 50 | Standard | Economy copy paper |
| 80 | 21 | 54 | Standard | Standard copy/printer paper |
| 90 | 24 | 60 | Quality | Letterhead, quality paper |
| 100 | 27 | 68 | Premium | Premium stationery, forms |
| 120 | 32 | 81 | Thick | Posters, covers, brochures |
| 160 | 43 | 108 | Card | Flyers, menus, inserts |
| 200 | 54 | 135 | Light card | Postcards, magazine covers |
| 250 | 67 | 169 | Card | Business cards, greetings |
| 300 | 80 | 203 | Heavy card | Thick business cards, packaging |
| 350 | 94 | 237 | Board | Book covers, luxury packaging |
The Paper Weight Converter converts between GSM, US Bond, US Cover, and other paper weight systems. If you work with printing, packaging, or stationery, this tool helps you match paper specifications across different regional standards without searching through conversion tables.
What This Tool Does
Paper weight is measured differently around the world. Europe uses GSM (grams per square meter), the US uses pound-based systems (Bond, Cover, Index), and Japan has its own system. When ordering paper internationally, matching weights across systems is confusing. This tool converts between all major paper weight standards instantly. Enter a weight in any system and see the equivalent in all others. It also shows common paper types (copy paper, cardstock, etc.) and their typical weights for reference.
Why Use This Tool
Paper weight confusion leads to ordering mistakes. A designer specifies 300gsm cardstock, but the US printer needs the weight in Cover pounds. An international order quotes paper in US Bond, but the receiving office works in GSM. This tool eliminates guesswork and conversion table searches by converting between all major paper weight systems instantly. It also provides a reference of common paper types so you can quickly identify whether 80gsm is standard copy paper or something heavier.
How to Use
- Enter a paper weight value in any supported system (GSM, Bond, Cover, etc.).
- The tool instantly converts to all other paper weight systems.
- Refer to the common paper types table for typical weight ranges.
- Use the results for ordering, specifying, or comparing paper stocks.
Common Use Cases
- Converting GSM to US Bond weight for international paper orders
- Finding the right cardstock weight for business cards
- Matching paper specifications between US and European suppliers
- Looking up standard paper weights for printing projects
- Comparing paper stock options across different weight systems
Example
Tips
- Standard office copy paper is 80 GSM (20 lb Bond) - use this as your reference point
- Business cards typically use 300-400 GSM (110-148 lb Cover) cardstock
- When ordering from international suppliers, always confirm which weight system they use
Frequently Asked Questions
What paper weight systems are supported?
GSM (metric), US Bond, US Cover, US Index, US Tag, and other common systems.
What is GSM?
GSM stands for Grams per Square Meter. It is the international standard for measuring paper weight and is used in most countries outside the US.
Is it free?
Yes, completely free with no sign-up.
How accurate is the conversion?
The conversions use standard industry formulas. Minor variations may exist between paper manufacturers.
Is my data private?
Yes. All calculations happen locally in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or stored.