Paper GSM Explained: What GSM Means for Paper Weight
By the Avco Boxes team · Updated
GSM stands for grams per square meter: the weight of a one-meter-square piece of a single sheet of paper. It is the standard way to state paper weight in most of the world. Higher GSM generally means heavier, sturdier paper. Everyday copy paper is usually around 75 to 90 gsm, while card stock is typically well above 150 gsm.
What GSM means
GSM, sometimes written g/m², measures grammage: how many grams one square meter of a paper weighs. Because it is based on a fixed area, it lets you compare any two papers directly, whatever size sheet they are sold in. A 90 gsm paper is heavier than an 80 gsm paper, full stop.
As a rule of thumb, lower GSM papers are lighter, thinner and more flexible, and higher GSM papers are heavier, stiffer and more opaque. That is why tissue paper is very low GSM, copy paper sits in the middle and business cards are high.
GSM measures weight, not thickness. Two papers with the same GSM can feel different in the hand, because a dense, smooth paper packs the same weight into a thinner sheet than a bulky, uncoated one. Thickness is measured separately, as caliper, in microns or in points (thousandths of an inch).
Typical GSM by paper type
Exact weights vary by manufacturer and product, but most papers fall into broad, well-known ranges.
| Paper | Approximate GSM | How it feels |
|---|---|---|
| Tissue paper | Under 30 | Very thin and see-through |
| Newsprint | About 40 to 55 | Thin, soft and slightly rough |
| Copy and printer paper | About 70 to 100 | Everyday office paper; 75 to 90 is most common |
| Premium writing and letterhead | About 90 to 120 | Noticeably heavier than copy paper |
| Brochure and magazine pages | About 100 to 170 | Smooth, often coated, folds cleanly |
| Card stock | About 160 to 300 | Stiff; used for covers, invitations and postcards |
| Business cards | About 300 and up | Rigid and thick |
Packaging papers cover the whole range. Light wrapping papers sit at the low end, while bag papers and the board used for folding cartons are heavier. Our guides to kraft paper and butcher paper cover two of the most common packaging papers.
US basis weight: why lb ratings are confusing
In the US, paper is usually labeled by basis weight in pounds, such as "20 lb" copy paper. Basis weight is the weight of a ream of 500 sheets cut to the basic sheet size for that grade of paper. The catch is that each grade has its own basic size.
| Grade | Basic sheet size | Typical papers |
|---|---|---|
| Bond (writing) | 17 x 22 inches | Copy paper, letterhead |
| Text (book) | 25 x 38 inches | Brochures, flyers, book pages |
| Cover | 20 x 26 inches | Card stock, covers, postcards |
Because the basic sheets are different sizes, the same pound number means different weights in different grades. An 80 lb text paper is a medium-weight brochure paper of roughly 118 gsm, while an 80 lb cover paper is a stiff card stock of roughly 216 gsm. The pound figure only compares papers within the same grade.
That is why there is no single conversion factor between pounds and GSM. To convert, you need to know the grade, and the safest route is a manufacturer's spec sheet that lists the GSM directly. For everyday office paper, the bond-grade equivalents below are widely used.
| US bond weight | Approximate GSM | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 20 lb bond | 75 gsm | Standard copy paper |
| 24 lb bond | 90 gsm | Better copy paper, letters and reports |
| 28 lb bond | 105 gsm | Presentations and color printing |
| 32 lb bond | 120 gsm | Premium printing and resumes |
How to choose the right paper weight
- Match weight to the job. Heavier is not automatically better: a sheet that has to fold or wrap tightly needs to be light and flexible, while a menu card or box needs stiffness.
- Compare GSM where you can. It is the one number that lines up across brands, grades and countries.
- Only compare pound ratings within the same grade. A 60 lb text and a 60 lb cover paper are very different sheets.
- Remember that finish and coating change the feel. A coated sheet can feel thinner and smoother than an uncoated one of the same GSM.
- When it matters, hold a sample. Weight numbers describe paper, but handling it tells you how it folds, how stiff it is and how it takes ink.
Paper weight for food wrapping
Papers for wrapping food, such as deli, wax and greaseproof paper, are generally light sheets. They need to fold neatly around a sandwich or burger and stay put, which is a job for a thin, flexible paper rather than a stiff one. What usually matters more than weight in these papers is how well they resist grease; see wax paper vs parchment paper and how to fold a sandwich wrap.
Avco does not publish a GSM figure for its printed food papers. The best way to judge them is to request a sample kit and feel the paper yourself. The sheets come in sizes from 6 x 6 to 14 x 18 inches, on white or kraft, 400 sheets to a bundle, including custom wax paper, custom deli paper and low-minimum wax paper from one bundle.
Frequently asked questions
- What does GSM mean on paper?
- GSM means grams per square meter. It tells you how much one square meter of that paper weighs, so you can compare papers of any sheet size directly. A higher number means a heavier sheet.
- Is higher GSM paper better?
- Not always. Higher GSM paper is heavier and usually stiffer and more opaque, which suits cards and covers. For jobs that need folding or wrapping, a lighter sheet often works better.
- What GSM is normal printer paper?
- Most everyday printer paper is around 75 to 90 gsm. In the US, standard 20 lb bond copy paper is about 75 gsm, and 24 lb bond is about 90 gsm.
- How do I convert pounds to GSM?
- It depends on the paper grade, because each US grade is weighed at a different basic sheet size. Use a chart for that specific grade, or check the manufacturer's spec sheet, which often lists GSM directly.
- Is GSM the same as paper thickness?
- No. GSM measures weight per area. Thickness, called caliper, is measured separately, and two papers with the same GSM can differ in thickness depending on density and finish.