"Paper weight" redirects here. For the heavy desktop object, see paperweight.
Grammage and basis weight, in the pulp and paper industry, are the area density of a paper product, that is, its mass per unit of area. Two ways of expressing the area density of a paper product are commonly used:
Expressed in grams (g) per square metre (g/m2), regardless of its thickness (caliper)[1] (known as grammage). This is the measure used in most parts of the world. It is often notated as gsm on paper product labels and spec sheets.
Expressed in terms of the mass per number of sheets of a specific paper size (known as basis weight). The convention used in the United States and a few other countries using US-standard paper sizes is pounds (lb) per ream of 500 (or in some cases 1000) sheets of a given (raw, still uncut) basis size. The traditional British practice is pounds per ream of 480, 500, 504, or 516 sheets of a given basis size. Japanese paper is expressed as the weight in kilograms (kg) per 1,000 sheets.
Grammage
In the metric system, the mass per unit area of all types of paper and paperboard is expressed in terms of grams per square metre (g/m2). This quantity is commonly called grammage in both English and French,[2] though printers in most English-speaking countries still refer to the "weight" of paper.
Typical office paper has 80 g/m2 (0.26 oz/sq ft), therefore a typical A4 sheet (1/16 of a square metre) weighs 5 g (0.18 oz). The abbreviation "gsm" instead of the standard g/m2 symbol is also widely encountered in English-speaking countries.
Basis weight of paper is the density of paper expressed in terms of the mass (in pound) of a ream of paper of given dimensions and a sheet count. The American and the traditional British systems are largely the same, with only minor differences: the paper dimensions and the sheet count are different.
United States
In the US system, the weight is specified in avoirdupoispounds and the sheet count of a paper ream is usually 500 sheets. However, the mass specified is not the mass of the ream that is sold to the customer. Instead, it is the mass of the uncut "basis ream" in which the sheets have some larger size (parent size). Often, that is a size used during the manufacturing process before the paper is cut to the dimensions in which it is sold. So, to compute the mass per area, one must know
the mass of the basis ream,
the number of sheets in that ream, and
the dimensions of an "uncut" sheet in that ream.
The standard dimensions and sheet count of a ream vary according to the type of paper. These "uncut" basis sizes are not normally labelled on the product, are not formally standardized, and therefore have to be guessed or inferred somehow from trading practice. Historically, this convention is the product of pragmatic considerations such as the size of a sheet mold.
By using the same basis sheet size for the same type of paper, consumers can easily compare papers of differing brands. Twenty-pound bond paper is always lighter and thinner than 32-pound bond, no matter what its cut size, and 20-pound bond letter size and 20-pound bond legal size papers are the same weight paper with a different cut size.
However, a sheet of common copy paper that has a basis weight of 20 pounds (9.1 kg) does not have the same mass as the same size sheet of coarse paper (newsprint). In the former case, the standard ream is 500 sheets of 17-by-22-inch (432 by 559 mm) paper, and in the latter, 500 sheets of 24-by-36-inch (610 by 914 mm) paper. Here are some basic ream sizes for various types of paper. Units are inches except where noted.
Sheets 17 by 22 inches (432 by 559 mm) can be cut into four 8+1⁄2-by-11-inch (216 by 279 mm) sheets, a standard for business stationery known conventionally as letter sized paper. So, the 17-by-22-inch (432 by 559 mm) ream became commonly used. The 25-by-38-inch (635 by 965 mm) book-paper ream developed because such a size can easily be cut into sixteen 6-by-9-inch (152 by 229 mm) book sized sheets without significant waste (nominally 6+1⁄4-by-9+1⁄2-inch (159 by 241 mm) before trimming and binding).
Early newsprint presses printed sheets 2 by 3 feet (610 by 914 mm) in size, and so the ream dimensions for newsprint became 24 by 36 inches (610 by 914 mm), with 500 sheets to a ream. Newsprint was made from ground wood pulp, and ground wood hanging paper (wallpaper) was made on newsprint machines. Newsprint was used as wrapping paper, and the first paper bags were made from newsprint. The newsprint ream standard also became the standard for packaging papers, even though in packaging papers kraft pulp, rather than ground wood, was used for greater strength.
Paper weight is sometimes stated using the "#" symbol. For example, "20#" means "20 pounds per basis ream of that kind of paper". When the density of a ream of paper is given in pounds, it is often accompanied by its "M weight" (M is 1000 in Roman numerals). The M weight is the weight (in pounds) of 1000 cut sheets. Paper suppliers will often charge by M weight, since it is always consistent within a specific paper size, and because it allows a simple weight calculation for shipping charges.
For example, a 500-sheet ream of 20# 8+1⁄2-by-11-inch (216 by 279 mm) copy paper may be specified "10 M". 1000 cut sheets (or two reams) will weigh 10 lb (4.5 kg), half of the four reams of cut paper resulting from the 20# basis ream of 17-by-22-inch (432 by 559 mm) paper.
United Kingdom
Overview of the traditional British system
Like the American system, the traditional British system also involves the use of basis weight to express the area density of paper (and, indirectly, paper thickness) in the course of buying and selling paper. The British paper industry exclusively used basis weight before 1968.[3]
In the traditional British system, basis weight is also expressed in terms of the weight of an imaginary ream of paper of a certain size. The underlying concept is that a ream of paper of the stated paper size and of the same thickness as the paper the parties are dealing with would have the stated weight. The weight is expressed in pound. As to paper sizes (basis sizes), they can, theoretically, be any sizes, but, by custom, a number of common sizes emerged. In the 1960s, even the metric A1[4] and A2[5] had been used as basis sizes alongside the British ones.
The following are common[6][7][8] British basis sizes (sizes of British uncut paper):
Common British basis sizes
Note 1: The Italicised writing‑paper and printing‑paper sizes were in use only prior to the 1925 standardisation[9] of writing‑paper and printing‑paper sizes. The 1925 standardisation did not apply to wrapping‑paper sizes.
Note 2: The underlined writing‑paper and printing‑paper sizes were in use after the 1925 standardisation but were not adopted as standard sizes[10] by British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937.
Note 3: The wrapping‑paper sizes marked with '*' were not adopted as standard sizes by British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937.[10]
Writing paper
Atlas
26 in × 34 in
Copy
161/2 in × 20 in
Double elephant (adopted by British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937 but not the 1925 standardisation)
27 in × 40 in
Double imperial
30 in × 44 in
Double large post
21 in × 33 in
Double post (adopted by British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937 but not the 1925 standardisation)
19 in × 30 in (prior to re‑definition by British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937, 19 in × 301/2 in)
Double pott
15 in × 25 in
Double small demy (known as 'double demy' before the 1925 standardisation)
20 in × 31 in
Double small foolscap (known as 'double foolscap' before British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937) ('foolscap' is sometimes shortened to ''cap' or 'cap')
161/2 in × 261/2 in
Double small royal (known as 'double royal' before the 1925 standardisation)
24 in × 38 in
Elephant
23 in × 28 in
Imperial
22 in × 30 in
Large post
161/2 in × 21 in
Pinched post
143/4 in × 181/2 in
Post (adopted by British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937 but not the 1925 standardisation)
15 in × 19 in (prior to re‑definition by British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937, 151/4 in ×19 in)
Pott
121/2 in × 15 in
Sheet‑and‑a‑half small foolscap (known as 'sheet‑and‑a‑half foolscap' before British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937) ('foolscap' is sometimes shortened to ''cap' or 'cap')
131/4 in × 243/4 in (before the 1925 standardisation, 131/4 in × 241/2 in)
Sheet‑and‑a‑third small foolscap (introduced by the 1925 standardisation) (known as 'sheet‑and‑a‑third foolscap' before British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937) ('foolscap' is sometimes shortened to ''cap' or 'cap')
131/4 in × 22 in
Small demy (known as 'demy' before the 1925 standardisation)
151/2 in × 20 in
Small foolscap (known as 'foolscap' before British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937) ('foolscap' is sometimes shortened to ''cap' or 'cap')
131/4 in × 161/2 in
Small medium (known as 'medium' before the 1925 standardisation)
171/2 in × 22 in
Small post (introduced by the 1925 standardisation)
141/2 in × 181/2 in
Small royal (known as 'royal' before the 1925 standardisation)
19 in × 24 in
Super royal
19 in × 27 in (before the 1925 standardisation, 191/4 in × 27 in)
Printing paper
Copy
161/2 in × 20 in
Crown
15 in × 20 in
Demy
171/2 in × 221/2 in
Double crown
20 in × 30 in
Double demy
221/2 in × 35 in
Double elephant (also known as 'double large royal') (adopted by British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937 but not the 1925 standardisation)
27 in × 40 in
Double globe
28 in × 38 in
Double imperial
30 in × 44 in
Double foolscap (known as 'double large foolscap' after the 1925 standardisation and before being re‑named by British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937) ('foolscap' is sometimes shortened to ''cap' or 'cap')
17 in × 27 in
Double large post
21 in × 33 in
Double medium
23 in × 36 in
Double post (adopted by British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937 but not the 1925 standardisation)
19 in × 30 in (prior to re‑definition by British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937, 191/4 in × 311/2 in)
Double pott
15 in × 25 in
Double royal
25 in × 40 in
Elephant
23 in × 28 in
Foolscap (known as 'large foolscap' after the 1925 standardisation and before being re‑named by British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937) ('foolscap' is sometimes shortened to ''cap' or 'cap')
131/2 in × 17 in
Imperial
22 in × 30 in
Large post
161/2 in × 21 in
Large royal (introduced by the 1925 standardisation)
201/2 in × 27 in (prior to re‑definition by British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937, 20 in × 27 in)
Medium
18 in × 23 in
Music demy
143/8 in × 203/4 in
Post (adopted by British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937 but not the 1925 standardisation)
15 in × 19 in (prior to re‑definition by British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937, 151/2 in × 191/4 in)
Pott
121/2 in × 15 in
Quad crown
30 in × 40 in
Quad demy
35 in × 45 in
Quad foolscap (known as 'quad large foolscap' after the 1925 standardisation and before being re‑named by British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937) ('foolscap' is sometimes shortened to ''cap' or 'cap')
27 in × 34 in
Quad globe
38 in × 56 in
Quad pott
25 in × 30 in
Quad royal
40 in × 50 in
Royal
20 in × 25 in
Super royal
201/2 in × 271/2 in
Wrapping paper
Bag cap
20 in × 24 in (prior to re‑definition by British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937, 191/2 in × 24 in)
Casing
36 in × 46 in (across the island of Ireland, 36 in × 48 in)
Double bag cap*
24 in × 39 in*
Double crown
20 in × 30 in
Double double imperial
45 in × 58 in
Double elephant*
31 in × 46 in*
Double imperial
29 in × 45 in
Double medium
23 in × 36 in
Double small cap*
25 in × 34 in*
Double small hand*
20 in × 29 in*
Elephant*
24 in × 32 in*
Extra large casing
40 in × 48 in
Haven cap* (sometimes called 'havon cap')
21 in × 26 in*
Imperial
221/2 in × 29 in
Kent cap*
18 in × 21 in*
Lumber hand*
171/2 in × 221/2 in*
Quad crown
30 in × 40 in
Quad foolscap* (known as 'quad large foolscap' after the 1925 standardisation and before British Standards Institution specification number 730 of 1937) ('foolscap' is sometimes shortened to ''cap' or 'cap')
27 in × 34 in*
Quad royal*
40 in × 50 in*
Quad small hand*
30 in × 40 in*
Royal*
20 in × 25 in*
Saddleback
36 in × 45 in
Small cap*
17 in × 25 in*
Small hand*
15 in × 20 in*
(No name)
20 in × 24 in*
(No name)
20 in × 28 in*
(No name)
21 in × 31 in*
(No name)
21 in × 34 in*
(No name)
22 in × 32 in*
(No name)
22 in × 35 in*
(No name)
23 in × 34 in*
(No name)
24 in × 30 in*
(No name)
24 in × 36 in*
(No name)
24 in × 40 in*
(No name)
26 in × 36 in*
(No name)
28 in × 45 in*
(No name)
29 in × 44 in*
(No name)
30 in × 38 in*
(No name)
30 in × 46 in*
(No name)
34 in × 36 in*
(No name)
36 in × 36 in*
(No name)
36 in × 48 in*
(No name)
38 in × 48 in*
(No name)
45 in × 56 in*
One ream in the context of basis weight (basis ream) can be 480 sheets, 500 sheets, 504 sheets, or 516 sheets: there is no fixed rule on when a certain definition was applied; however, starting from the 1950s,[11] the trend of moving towards 500 sheets emerged.
Basis weight is commonly expressed in terms of pound per ream of paper of a certain size, in the format of '[number]lb [paper size]' (e. g., '21lb large post' ('21 pounds per ream of large post paper')). Since there are basis reams of different sizes, unless the context leaves no room for ambiguity, the number of sheets in the basis ream is also given after the paper size to avoid misunderstanding: in such case, basis weight is expressed in the format of '[number]lb [paper size] [number of sheets of paper in the basis ream]', such as '21lb large post 480' ('21 pounds per 480‑sheet ream of large post paper'). In the United Kingdom, '#' has never been used to express paper weight because it is called 'hash', instead of 'pound', in British English.
Demy traditionally plays the role of the default basis size for expressing basis weights: in the British paper industry, there was a device, called 'demy scale', that was used to measure the weights of different paper samples in pound per ream of demy paper (480‑sheet, 500‑sheet, and 516‑sheet reams).[12]
Below is a list of common[11] basis weights of paper stocked by British paper merchants:
Common British basis weights and their metric and American equivalents
Writing paper
Common British basis weights
(various paper sizes and ream sizes)
Equivalent weight of a 500‑sheet ream of large post paper, a British uncut writing paper commonly used to express the basis weight of writing paper
(rounded to the nearest quarter)
(a common British basis for intra‑category comparison)
Equivalent weight of a 500‑sheet ream of demy paper, a British uncut printing paper commonly used by default to express the basis weight of different types of paper[a]
(rounded to the nearest quarter)
(a common British basis for cross‑category comparison)
Equivalent grammage
(rounded to the nearest one)
Equivalent weight of a 500‑sheet ream of bond paper, an American uncut paper commonly used to express the basis weight of paper
(rounded to the nearest quarter)
(a common American basis for cross‑category comparison)
11lb large post 480
111/2lb large post
13lb demy
46gsm
121/4lb bond
11lb large post 500
11lb large post
121/2lb demy
45gsm
113/4lb bond
12lb large post 500
12lb large post
131/2lb demy
49gsm
13lb bond
14lb large post 480
141/2lb large post
161/2lb demy
59gsm
153/4lb bond
15lb large post 480
153/4lb large post
173/4lb demy
63gsm
163/4lb bond
15lb large post 500
15lb large post
17lb demy
61gsm
161/4lb bond
15lb large post 504
15lb large post
17lb demy
60gsm
16lb bond
17lb large post 480
173/4lb large post
20lb demy
72gsm
19lb bond
18lb large post 480
183/4lb large post
211/2lb demy
76gsm
201/4lb bond
18lb large post 500
18lb large post
201/2lb demy
73gsm
191/2lb bond
18lb large post 504
173/4lb large post
201/4lb demy
72gsm
191/4lb bond
19lb large post 480
193/4lb large post
221/2lb demy
80gsm
211/4lb bond
20lb large post 480
203/4lb large post
233/4lb demy
85gsm
221/2lb bond
21lb large post 480
22lb large post
243/4lb demy
89gsm
231/2lb bond
21lb large post 500
21lb large post
233/4lb demy
85gsm
223/4lb bond
21lb large post 504
203/4lb large post
233/4lb demy
85gsm
221/2lb bond
22lb large post 480
23lb large post
26lb demy
93gsm
243/4lb bond
22lb large post 504
213/4lb large post
243/4lb demy
89gsm
231/2lb bond
23lb large post 480
24lb large post
271/4lb demy
97gsm
253/4lb bond
23lb large post 500
23lb large post
261/4lb demy
93gsm
243/4lb bond
23lb large post 504
223/4lb large post
26lb demy
93gsm
241/2lb bond
24lb large post 480
25lb large post
281/2lb demy
101gsm
27lb bond
24lb large post 504
233/4lb large post
27lb demy
97gsm
253/4lb bond
25lb large post 480
26lb large post
291/2lb demy
106gsm
28lb bond
25lb large post 500
25lb large post
281/2lb demy
101gsm
27lb bond
26lb large post 480
27lb large post
303/4lb demy
110gsm
291/4lb bond
26lb large post 504
253/4lb large post
291/4lb demy
105gsm
273/4lb bond
27lb large post 480
281/4lb large post
32lb demy
114gsm
301/4lb bond
27lb large post 504
263/4lb large post
301/2lb demy
109gsm
29lb bond
28lb large post 480
291/4lb large post
331/4lb demy
118gsm
311/2lb bond
28lb large post 504
273/4lb large post
311/2lb demy
113gsm
30lb bond
30lb large post 480
311/4lb large post
351/2lb demy
127gsm
333/4lb bond
22lb double large post 500
11lb large post
121/2lb demy
45gsm
113/4lb bond
30lb double large post 480
153/4lb large post
173/4lb demy
63gsm
163/4lb bond
30lb double large post 500
15lb large post
17lb demy
61gsm
161/4lb bond
30lb double large post 504
15lb large post
17lb demy
60gsm
16lb bond
36lb double large post 480
183/4lb large post
211/4lb demy
76gsm
201/4lb bond
36lb double large post 500
18lb large post
201/2lb demy
73gsm
191/2lb bond
36lb double large post 504
173/4lb large post
201/4lb demy
72gsm
191/4lb bond
42lb double large post 480
22lb large post
243/4lb demy
89gsm
231/2lb bond
42lb double large post 500
21lb large post
233/4lb demy
85gsm
223/4lb bond
42lb double large post 504
203/4lb large post
233/4lb demy
85gsm
221/2lb bond
44lb double large post 504
213/4lb large post
243/4lb demy
89gsm
231/2lb bond
13lb small medium 480
121/4lb large post
133/4lb demy
49gsm
13lb bond
18lb small medium 480
17lb large post
191/4lb demy
68gsm
181/4lb bond
21lb small medium 504
183/4lb large post
211/4lb demy
76gsm
201/4lb bond
211/2lb small medium 500
191/4lb large post
22lb demy
79gsm
21lb bond
23lb small medium 480
211/2lb large post
241/2lb demy
88gsm
231/4lb bond
23lb small medium 504
201/2lb large post
231/4lb demy
83gsm
22lb bond
24lb small medium 504
211/2lb large post
241/4lb demy
87gsm
231/4lb bond
25lb small medium 480
231/2lb large post
263/4lb demy
95gsm
251/4lb bond
25lb small medium 504
221/4lb large post
251/4lb demy
91gsm
24lb bond
30lb small medium 516
261/4lb large post
293/4lb demy
106gsm
281/4lb bond
34lb small medium 480
32lb large post
361/4lb demy
129gsm
341/2lb bond
40lb small medium 504
353/4lb large post
401/2lb demy
145gsm
381/2lb bond
13lb medium 500
11lb large post
121/4lb demy
44gsm
113/4lb bond
14lb medium 500
121/2lb large post
131/4lb demy
51gsm
131/2lb bond
18lb medium 480
153/4lb large post
173/4lb demy
64gsm
17lb bond
18lb medium 500
15lb large post
17lb demy
61gsm
161/4lb bond
21lb medium 500
171/2lb large post
20lb demy
71gsm
19lb bond
211/2lb medium 500
18lb large post
201/2lb demy
73gsm
191/2lb bond
25lb medium 500
21lb large post
233/4lb demy
85gsm
221/2lb bond
28lb medium 500
231/2lb large post
263/4lb demy
95gsm
251/4lb bond
26lb double medium 500
11lb large post
121/4lb demy
44gsm
113/4lb bond
36lb double medium 500
15lb large post
17lb demy
61gsm
161/4lb bond
46lb double medium 480
20lb large post
223/4lb demy
81gsm
213/4lb bond
46lb double medium 504
19lb large post
213/4lb demy
77gsm
201/2lb bond
48lb double medium 504
20lb large post
223/4lb demy
81gsm
211/2lb bond
50lb double medium 504
203/4lb large post
231/2lb demy
84gsm
221/2lb bond
60lb double medium 480
261/4lb large post
293/4lb demy
106gsm
281/4lb bond
60lb double medium 500
25lb large post
281/2lb demy
102gsm
27lb bond
70lb double medium 500
291/4lb large post
331/4lb demy
119gsm
311/2lb bond
20lb double small foolscap 500
153/4lb large post
18lb demy
64gsm
17lb bond
24lb double small foolscap 480
193/4lb large post
221/2lb demy
80gsm
211/2lb bond
24lb double small foolscap 500
19lb large post
211/2lb demy
77gsm
201/2lb bond
25lb double small foolscap 480
203/4lb large post
231/2lb demy
84gsm
221/4lb bond
26lb double small foolscap 504
201/2lb large post
231/4lb demy
83gsm
22lb bond
28lb double small foolscap 480
23lb large post
261/4lb demy
94gsm
25lb bond
28lb double small foolscap 500
221/4lb large post
251/2lb demy
90gsm
24lb bond
28lb double small foolscap 504
22lb large post
25lb demy
89gsm
233/4lb bond
30lb double small foolscap 480
243/4lb large post
281/4lb demy
100gsm
263/4lb bond
30lb double small foolscap 504
231/2lb large post
263/4lb demy
96gsm
251/2lb bond
32lb double small foolscap 504
251/4lb large post
281/2lb demy
102gsm
271/4lb bond
34lb double small foolscap 504
263/4lb large post
301/4lb demy
108gsm
283/4lb bond
36lb double small foolscap 480
293/4lb large post
333/4lb demy
121gsm
32lb bond
141/2lb double foolscap 480
111/2lb large post
13lb demy
46gsm
121/4lb bond
141/2lb double foolscap 500
11lb large post
121/2lb demy
44gsm
113/4lb bond
20lb double foolscap 480
153/4lb large post
173/4lb demy
64gsm
17lb bond
20lb double foolscap 500
15lb large post
171/4lb demy
61gsm
161/4lb bond
24lb double foolscap 480
19lb large post
211/2lb demy
77gsm
201/4lb bond
24lb double foolscap 500
18lb large post
201/2lb demy
74gsm
191/2lb bond
28lb double foolscap 500
211/4lb large post
24lb demy
86gsm
223/4lb bond
30lb double crown 500
171/4lb large post
193/4lb demy
70gsm
183/4lb bond
32lb double crown 480
191/4lb large post
22lb demy
78gsm
203/4lb bond
32lb double crown 504
181/4lb large post
203/4lb demy
74gsm
193/4lb bond
36lb double crown 500
203/4lb large post
233/4lb demy
84gsm
221/2lb bond
40lb double crown 500
23lb large post
261/4lb demy
94gsm
25lb bond
40lb double crown 504
23lb large post
26lb demy
93gsm
243/4lb bond
44lb double crown 500
251/2lb large post
29lb demy
103gsm
271/2lb bond
46lb double crown 480
273/4lb large post
311/2lb demy
112gsm
293/4lb bond
50lb double crown 500
283/4lb large post
323/4lb demy
117gsm
311/4lb bond
60lb double crown 504
341/2lb large post
39lb demy
139gsm
37lb bond
88lb quad crown 500
251/2lb large post
29lb demy
103gsm
271/2lb bond
100lb quad crown 500
283/4lb large post
323/4lb demy
117gsm
311/4lb bond
25lb small demy 480
29lb large post
33lb demy
118gsm
311/2lb bond
38lb small demy 480
441/4lb large post
501/4lb demy
180gsm
473/4lb bond
18lb small foolscap 480
293/4lb large post
333/4lb demy
121gsm
32lb bond
48lb quad foolscap 504
18lb large post
201/2lb demy
73gsm
191/2lb bond
50lb quad foolscap 480
193/4lb large post
221/4lb demy
80gsm
211/4lb bond
72lb imperial (writing and printing) 480
391/2lb large post
443/4lb demy
160gsm
421/2lb bond
18lb post (writing) (pre–1937 standardisation) 480
221/2lb large post
251/2lb demy
91gsm
241/4lb bond
20lb post (writing) (pre–1937 standardisation) 480
25lb large post
281/4lb demy
101gsm
27lb bond
22lb post (writing) (pre–1937 standardisation) 480
271/2lb large post
311/4lb demy
111gsm
291/2lb bond
72lb quad large post 504
173/4lb large post
201/4lb demy
72gsm
191/4lb bond
84lb quad large post 480
22lb large post
243/4lb demy
89gsm
231/2lb bond
29lb pinched post 480
381/4lb large post
431/2lb demy
156gsm
411/2lb bond
44lb small royal 480
343/4lb large post
391/2lb demy
141gsm
371/2lb bond
54lb super royal (writing) (pre–1925 standardisation) 480
371/2lb large post
421/2lb demy
152gsm
401/2lb bond
Printing paper
Common British basis weights
(various paper sizes and ream sizes)
Equivalent weight of a 500‑sheet ream of double crown paper, a British uncut printing paper commonly used to express the basis weight of printing paper
(rounded to the nearest quarter)
(a common British basis for intra‑category comparison)
Equivalent weight of a 500‑sheet ream of demy paper, a British uncut printing paper commonly used by default to express the basis weight of different types of paper[a]
(rounded to the nearest quarter)
(a common British basis for cross‑category comparison)
Equivalent grammage
(rounded to the nearest one)
Equivalent weight of a 500‑sheet ream of bond paper, an American uncut paper commonly used to express the basis weight of paper
(rounded to the nearest quarter)
(a common American basis for cross‑category comparison)
17lb double crown 480
173/4lb double crown
111/2lb demy
42gsm
11lb bond
19lb double crown 480
193/4lb double crown
13lb demy
46gsm
121/4lb bond
20lb double crown 480
203/4lb double crown
133/4lb demy
49gsm
13lb bond
20lb double crown 516
191/2lb double crown
123/4lb demy
45gsm
12lb bond
21lb double crown 480
22lb double crown
141/4lb demy
51gsm
133/4lb bond
22lb double crown 480
23lb double crown
15lb demy
54gsm
141/4lb bond
23lb double crown 480
24lb double crown
153/4lb demy
56gsm
15lb bond
23lb double crown 504
223/4lb double crown
15lb demy
53gsm
141/4lb bond
24lb double crown 504
233/4lb double crown
153/4lb demy
56gsm
143/4lb bond
24lb double crown 516
231/4lb double crown
151/4lb demy
55gsm
141/2lb bond
25lb double crown 480
26lb double crown
17lb demy
61gsm
161/4lb bond
25lb double crown 504
243/4lb double crown
161/4lb demy
58gsm
151/2lb bond
26lb double crown 480
27lb double crown
173/4lb demy
63gsm
163/4lb bond
26lb double crown 504
253/4lb double crown
17lb demy
60gsm
16lb bond
26lb double crown 516
251/4lb double crown
161/2lb demy
59gsm
153/4lb bond
27lb double crown 480
281/2lb double crown
181/2lb demy
66gsm
171/2lb bond
27lb double crown 500
27lb double crown
173/4lb demy
63gsm
163/4lb bond
27lb double crown 504
263/4lb double crown
171/2lb demy
63gsm
163/4lb bond
28lb double crown 480
291/4lb double crown
191/4lb demy
68gsm
181/4lb bond
28lb double crown 516
271/4lb double crown
173/4lb demy
64gsm
17lb bond
29lb double crown 480
301/4lb double crown
193/4lb demy
71gsm
183/4lb bond
30lb double crown 480
311/4lb double crown
201/2lb demy
73gsm
191/2lb bond
30lb double crown 500
30lb double crown
193/4lb demy
70gsm
183/4lb bond
30lb double crown 504
293/4lb double crown
191/2lb demy
70gsm
181/2lb bond
30lb double crown 516
29lb double crown
19lb demy
68gsm
18lb bond
31lb double crown 504
303/4lb double crown
201/4lb demy
72gsm
191/4lb bond
32lb double crown 480
331/4lb double crown
22lb demy
78gsm
203/4lb bond
32lb double crown 504
313/4lb double crown
203/4lb demy
74gsm
193/4lb bond
32lb double crown 516
31lb double crown
201/4lb demy
73gsm
191/4lb bond
33lb double crown 480
35lb double crown
221/2lb demy
81gsm
211/2lb bond
33lb double crown 504
323/4lb double crown
211/2lb demy
77gsm
201/2lb bond
34lb double crown 504
333/4lb double crown
221/4lb demy
79gsm
21lb bond
34lb double crown 516
33lb double crown
211/2lb demy
77gsm
201/2lb bond
35lb double crown 480
361/2lb double crown
24lb demy
85gsm
223/4lb bond
36lb double crown 480
371/2lb double crown
241/2lb demy
88gsm
231/2lb bond
36lb double crown 500
36lb double crown
233/4lb demy
84gsm
221/2lb bond
36lb double crown 504
353/4lb double crown
231/2lb demy
84gsm
221/4lb bond
36lb double crown 516
35lb double crown
23lb demy
82gsm
213/4lb bond
38lb double crown 480
391/2lb double crown
26lb demy
93gsm
243/4lb bond
38lb double crown 504
373/4lb double crown
243/4lb demy
88gsm
231/2lb bond
38lb double crown 516
363/4lb double crown
241/4lb demy
86gsm
23lb bond
39lb double crown 504
383/4lb double crown
251/2lb demy
91gsm
24lb bond
40lb double crown 480
413/4lb double crown
271/4lb demy
98gsm
26lb bond
40lb double crown 500
40lb double crown
261/4lb demy
94gsm
25lb bond
40lb double crown 504
393/4lb double crown
26lb demy
93gsm
243/4lb bond
40lb double crown 516
383/4lb double crown
251/2lb demy
91gsm
241/4lb bond
42lb double crown 480
433/4lb double crown
283/4lb demy
103gsm
271/4lb bond
42lb double crown 504
413/4lb double crown
271/4lb demy
98gsm
26lb bond
44lb double crown 480
453/4lb double crown
30lb demy
107gsm
281/2lb bond
44lb double crown 500
44lb double crown
283/4lb demy
103gsm
271/2lb bond
44lb double crown 516
423/4lb double crown
28lb demy
100gsm
261/2lb bond
45lb double crown 480
47lb double crown
303/4lb demy
110gsm
291/4lb bond
45lb double crown 500
45lb double crown
291/2lb demy
105gsm
28lb bond
46lb double crown 480
48lb double crown
311/2lb demy
112gsm
293/4lb bond
46lb double crown 504
453/4lb double crown
30lb demy
107gsm
281/2lb bond
46lb double crown 516
441/2lb double crown
291/4lb demy
104gsm
273/4lb bond
47lb double crown 480
49lb double crown
32lb demy
115gsm
301/2lb bond
50lb double crown 480
52lb double crown
341/4lb demy
122gsm
321/2lb bond
50lb double crown 500
50lb double crown
323/4lb demy
117gsm
311/4lb bond
50lb double crown 504
491/2lb double crown
321/2lb demy
116gsm
31lb bond
50lb double crown 516
481/2lb double crown
313/4lb demy
114gsm
301/4lb bond
52lb double crown 480
541/4lb double crown
351/2lb demy
127gsm
333/4lb bond
54lb double crown 480
561/4lb double crown
37lb demy
132gsm
35lb bond
54lb double crown 516
521/4lb double crown
341/4lb demy
123gsm
321/2lb bond
55lb double crown 480
571/4lb double crown
371/2lb demy
134gsm
353/4lb bond
56lb double crown 516
541/4lb double crown
351/2lb demy
127gsm
333/4lb bond
57lb double crown 480
591/2lb double crown
39lb demy
139gsm
37lb bond
58lb double crown 500
58lb double crown
38lb demy
136gsm
361/4lb bond
60lb double crown 480
621/2lb double crown
41lb demy
146gsm
39lb bond
60lb double crown 500
60lb double crown
391/2lb demy
141gsm
371/2lb bond
60lb double crown 504
591/2lb double crown
39lb demy
139gsm
37lb bond
60lb double crown 516
581/4lb double crown
381/4lb demy
136gsm
361/4lb bond
61lb double crown 480
631/2lb double crown
413/4lb demy
149gsm
391/2lb bond
76lb double crown 480
791/4lb double crown
52lb demy
186gsm
491/4lb bond
79lb double crown 516
761/2lb double crown
501/4lb demy
179gsm
473/4lb bond
80lb double crown 480
831/4lb double crown
543/4lb demy
195gsm
52lb bond
80lb double crown 504
791/4lb double crown
52lb demy
186gsm
491/2lb bond
40lb quad crown 516
191/2lb double crown
123/4lb demy
45gsm
12lb bond
48lb quad crown 504
233/4lb double crown
153/4lb demy
56gsm
143/4lb bond
50lb quad crown 480
26lb double crown
17lb demy
61gsm
161/4lb bond
54lb quad crown 500
27lb double crown
173/4lb demy
63gsm
163/4lb bond
60lb quad crown 480
311/4lb double crown
201/2lb demy
73gsm
191/2lb bond
60lb quad crown 500
30lb double crown
193/4lb demy
70gsm
183/4lb bond
60lb quad crown 504
293/4lb double crown
191/2lb demy
70gsm
181/2lb bond
60lb quad crown 516
29lb double crown
19lb demy
68gsm
18lb bond
64lb quad crown 516
31lb double crown
201/4lb demy
73gsm
191/4lb bond
68lb quad crown 516
33lb double crown
211/2lb demy
77gsm
201/2lb bond
70lb quad crown 480
361/2lb double crown
24lb demy
85gsm
223/4lb bond
70lb quad crown 516
34lb double crown
221/4lb demy
79gsm
211/4lb bond
72lb quad crown 500
36lb double crown
233/4lb demy
84gsm
221/2lb bond
72lb quad crown 504
353/4lb double crown
231/2lb demy
84gsm
221/4lb bond
80lb quad crown 500
40lb double crown
261/4lb demy
94gsm
25lb bond
80lb quad crown 504
393/4lb double crown
26lb demy
93gsm
243/4lb bond
80lb quad crown 516
383/4lb double crown
251/2lb demy
91gsm
241/4lb bond
86lb quad crown 480
443/4lb double crown
291/2lb demy
105gsm
28lb bond
88lb quad crown 500
44lb double crown
29lb demy
103gsm
271/2lb bond
96lb quad crown 516
461/2lb double crown
301/2lb demy
109gsm
29lb bond
100lb quad crown 500
50lb double crown
323/4lb demy
117gsm
311/4lb bond
100lb quad crown 504
491/2lb double crown
321/2lb demy
116gsm
31lb bond
100lb quad crown 516
481/2lb double crown
313/4lb demy
114gsm
301/4lb bond
120lb quad crown 500
60lb double crown
391/2lb demy
141gsm
371/2lb bond
120lb quad crown 504
591/2lb double crown
39lb demy
139gsm
37lb bond
120lb quad crown 516
581/4lb double crown
381/4lb demy
136gsm
361/4lb bond
14lb demy 480
221/4lb double crown
141/2lb demy
52gsm
133/4lb bond
16lb demy 480
251/2lb double crown
163/4lb demy
60gsm
153/4lb bond
17lb demy 480
27lb double crown
173/4lb demy
63gsm
163/4lb bond
18lb demy 480
281/2lb double crown
183/4lb demy
67gsm
173/4lb bond
18lb demy 504
271/4lb double crown
173/4lb demy
64gsm
17lb bond
19lb demy 480
301/4lb double crown
193/4lb demy
71gsm
183/4lb bond
20lb demy 480
313/4lb double crown
203/4lb demy
74gsm
193/4lb bond
20lb demy 504
301/4lb double crown
193/4lb demy
71gsm
183/4lb bond
20lb demy 516
291/2lb double crown
191/2lb demy
69gsm
181/2lb bond
21lb demy 480
331/4lb double crown
22lb demy
78gsm
203/4lb bond
24lb demy 504
361/4lb double crown
233/4lb demy
85gsm
221/2lb bond
25lb demy 480
393/4lb double crown
26lb demy
93gsm
243/4lb bond
26lb demy 480
411/4lb double crown
27lb demy
97gsm
253/4lb bond
28lb demy 480
441/2lb double crown
291/4lb demy
104gsm
273/4lb bond
29lb demy 480
46lb double crown
301/4lb demy
108gsm
283/4lb bond
30lb demy 480
471/2lb double crown
311/4lb demy
112gsm
293/4lb bond
30lb demy 516
441/4lb double crown
29lb demy
104gsm
271/2lb bond
32lb demy 480
503/4lb double crown
331/4lb demy
119gsm
313/4lb bond
34lb demy 480
54lb double crown
351/2lb demy
126gsm
333/4lb bond
35lb demy 480
551/2lb double crown
361/2lb demy
130gsm
341/2lb bond
36lb demy 480
571/4lb double crown
371/2lb demy
134gsm
351/2lb bond
44lb demy 480
693/4lb double crown
453/4lb demy
164gsm
431/2lb bond
64lb demy 516
941/2lb double crown
62lb demy
221gsm
59lb bond
23lb double demy 480
181/4lb double crown
12lb demy
43gsm
111/2lb bond
25lb double demy 480
193/4lb double crown
13lb demy
46gsm
121/4lb bond
26lb double demy 480
203/4lb double crown
131/2lb demy
48gsm
123/4lb bond
28lb double demy 480
221/4lb double crown
141/2lb demy
52gsm
133/4lb bond
28lb double demy 516
203/4lb double crown
131/2lb demy
48gsm
13lb bond
30lb double demy 480
233/4lb double crown
153/4lb demy
56gsm
143/4lb bond
30lb double demy 516
221/4lb double crown
141/2lb demy
52gsm
133/4lb bond
32lb double demy 480
251/2lb double crown
163/4lb demy
60gsm
153/4lb bond
32lb double demy 504
241/4lb double crown
153/4lb demy
57gsm
15lb bond
32lb double demy 516
231/2lb double crown
151/2lb demy
55gsm
143/4lb bond
33lb double demy 480
261/4lb double crown
171/4lb demy
61gsm
161/4lb bond
34lb double demy 480
27lb double crown
173/4lb demy
63gsm
163/4lb bond
34lb double demy 504
253/4lb double crown
163/4lb demy
60gsm
16lb bond
34lb double demy 516
25lb double crown
161/2lb demy
59gsm
153/4lb bond
35lb double demy 480
273/4lb double crown
181/4lb demy
65gsm
171/4lb bond
36lb double demy 480
281/2lb double crown
183/4lb demy
67gsm
173/4lb bond
36lb double demy 500
271/2lb double crown
18lb demy
64gsm
17lb bond
36lb double demy 504
271/4lb double crown
173/4lb demy
64gsm
17lb bond
36lb double demy 516
261/2lb double crown
171/2lb demy
62gsm
161/2lb bond
38lb double demy 480
301/4lb double crown
193/4lb demy
71gsm
183/4lb bond
38lb double demy 504
283/4lb double crown
183/4lb demy
67gsm
18lb bond
40lb double demy 480
313/4lb double crown
203/4lb demy
74gsm
193/4lb bond
40lb double demy 500
301/2lb double crown
20lb demy
71gsm
19lb bond
40lb double demy 504
301/4lb double crown
193/4lb demy
71gsm
183/4lb bond
40lb double demy 516
291/2lb double crown
191/2lb demy
69gsm
181/2lb bond
42lb double demy 480
331/4lb double crown
22lb demy
78gsm
203/4lb bond
42lb double demy 516
31lb double crown
201/4lb demy
73gsm
191/4lb bond
44lb double demy 516
321/2lb double crown
211/4lb demy
76gsm
201/4lb bond
45lb double demy 500
341/4lb double crown
221/2lb demy
80gsm
211/4lb bond
45lb double demy 516
331/4lb double crown
213/4lb demy
78gsm
203/4lb bond
46lb double demy 480
361/2lb double crown
24lb demy
86gsm
223/4lb bond
46lb double demy 516
34lb double crown
221/4lb demy
80gsm
211/4lb bond
47lb double demy 516
343/4lb double crown
223/4lb demy
81gsm
211/2lb bond
48lb double demy 480
38lb double crown
25lb demy
89gsm
233/4lb bond
48lb double demy 500
361/2lb double crown
24lb demy
86gsm
223/4lb bond
48lb double demy 504
361/4lb double crown
233/4lb demy
85gsm
221/2lb bond
48lb double demy 516
351/2lb double crown
231/4lb demy
83gsm
22lb bond
50lb double demy 480
393/4lb double crown
26lb demy
93gsm
243/4lb bond
52lb double demy 504
391/4lb double crown
253/4lb demy
92gsm
241/2lb bond
53lb double demy 516
391/4lb double crown
253/4lb demy
92gsm
241/2lb bond
54lb double demy 480
423/4lb double crown
281/4lb demy
100gsm
263/4lb bond
55lb double demy 480
433/4lb double crown
283/4lb demy
102gsm
271/4lb bond
55lb double demy 516
401/2lb double crown
263/4lb demy
95gsm
251/4lb bond
56lb double demy 480
441/2lb double crown
291/4lb demy
104gsm
273/4lb bond
56lb double demy 516
411/4lb double crown
271/4lb demy
97gsm
253/4lb bond
60lb double demy 480
471/2lb double crown
311/4lb demy
112gsm
293/4lb bond
60lb double demy 504
451/4lb double crown
293/4lb demy
106gsm
281/4lb bond
60lb double demy 516
441/4lb double crown
29lb demy
104gsm
271/2lb bond
64lb double demy 516
471/4lb double crown
31lb demy
111gsm
291/2lb bond
68lb double demy 480
54lb double crown
351/2lb demy
126gsm
333/4lb bond
69lb double demy 480
543/4lb double crown
36lb demy
128gsm
341/4lb bond
70lb double demy 480
551/2lb double crown
361/2lb demy
130gsm
341/2lb bond
72lb double demy 516
531/4lb double crown
35lb demy
125gsm
331/4lb bond
74lb double demy 480
583/4lb double crown
381/2lb demy
138gsm
361/2lb bond
80lb double demy 504
601/2lb double crown
393/4lb demy
142gsm
373/4lb bond
88lb double demy 516
65lb double crown
423/4lb demy
152gsm
401/2lb bond
89lb double demy 480
703/4lb double crown
461/4lb demy
166gsm
44lb bond
19lb medium 480
283/4lb double crown
183/4lb demy
67gsm
18lb bond
20lb medium 480
301/4lb double crown
193/4lb demy
71gsm
183/4lb bond
24lb medium 480
361/4lb double crown
233/4lb demy
85gsm
221/2lb bond
25lb medium 480
373/4lb double crown
243/4lb demy
88gsm
231/2lb bond
25lb medium 504
36lb double crown
231/2lb demy
84gsm
221/2lb bond
27lb medium 480
403/4lb double crown
263/4lb demy
96gsm
251/2lb bond
28lb medium 480
421/4lb double crown
273/4lb demy
99gsm
261/4lb bond
29lb medium 480
433/4lb double crown
283/4lb demy
103gsm
271/4lb bond
30lb medium 480
451/4lb double crown
293/4lb demy
106gsm
281/4lb bond
30lb medium 516
421/4lb double crown
273/4lb demy
99gsm
261/4lb bond
31lb medium 480
463/4lb double crown
303/4lb demy
110gsm
291/4lb bond
32lb medium 480
481/4lb double crown
313/4lb demy
113gsm
30lb bond
33lb medium 516
461/4lb double crown
301/2lb demy
109gsm
29lb bond
34lb medium 480
511/4lb double crown
333/4lb demy
120gsm
32lb bond
34lb medium 504
49lb double crown
32lb demy
115gsm
301/2lb bond
35lb medium 480
523/4lb double crown
343/4lb demy
124gsm
33lb bond
38lb medium 516
531/4lb double crown
35lb demy
125gsm
331/4lb bond
40lb medium 480
601/2lb double crown
393/4lb demy
142gsm
373/4lb bond
40lb medium 504
571/2lb double crown
373/4lb demy
135gsm
353/4lb bond
40lb medium 516
561/4lb double crown
363/4lb demy
132gsm
35lb bond
45lb medium 480
68lb double crown
441/2lb demy
159gsm
421/4lb bond
48lb medium 480
721/2lb double crown
471/2lb demy
170gsm
451/4lb bond
50lb medium 504
72lb double crown
471/4lb demy
168gsm
443/4lb bond
53lb medium 504
761/4lb double crown
50lb demy
179gsm
471/2lb bond
55lb medium 480
83lb double crown
541/2lb demy
195gsm
513/4lb bond
42lb double medium 480
313/4lb double crown
203/4lb demy
74gsm
193/4lb bond
50lb double medium 480
373/4lb double crown
243/4lb demy
88gsm
231/2lb bond
50lb double medium 504
36lb double crown
231/2lb demy
84gsm
221/2lb bond
50lb double medium 516
35lb double crown
23lb demy
82gsm
22lb bond
55lb double medium 500
393/4lb double crown
261/4lb demy
93gsm
243/4lb bond
60lb double medium 500
431/2lb double crown
281/2lb demy
102gsm
27lb bond
60lb double medium 516
421/4lb double crown
273/4lb demy
99gsm
261/4lb bond
62lb double medium 500
45lb double crown
291/2lb demy
105gsm
28lb bond
64lb double medium 516
45lb double crown
291/2lb demy
105gsm
28lb bond
65lb double medium 500
47lb double crown
31lb demy
110gsm
291/4lb bond
68lb double medium 480
511/4lb double crown
333/4lb demy
120gsm
32lb bond
68lb double medium 504
49lb double crown
32lb demy
115gsm
301/2lb bond
69lb double medium 500
50lb double crown
323/4lb demy
117gsm
311/4lb bond
70lb double medium 500
503/4lb double crown
331/4lb demy
119gsm
311/2lb bond
80lb double medium 500
58lb double crown
38lb demy
136gsm
361/4lb bond
80lb double medium 516
561/4lb double crown
363/4lb demy
132gsm
35lb bond
20lb royal 480
25lb double crown
161/2lb demy
59gsm
151/2lb bond
21lb royal 516
241/2lb double crown
16lb demy
57gsm
151/4lb bond
22lb royal 480
271/2lb double crown
18lb demy
64gsm
171/4lb bond
23lb royal 480
283/4lb double crown
183/4lb demy
67gsm
18lb bond
24lb royal 480
30lb double crown
193/4lb demy
70gsm
183/4lb bond
24lb royal 504
281/2lb double crown
183/4lb demy
67gsm
173/4lb bond
24lb royal 516
28lb double crown
181/4lb demy
65gsm
171/2lb bond
25lb royal 516
29lb double crown
19lb demy
68gsm
18lb bond
26lb royal 480
321/2lb double crown
211/4lb demy
76gsm
201/4lb bond
26lb royal 516
301/4lb double crown
193/4lb demy
71gsm
183/4lb bond
27lb royal 516
311/2lb double crown
201/2lb demy
74gsm
191/2lb bond
30lb royal 480
371/2lb double crown
241/2lb demy
88gsm
231/4lb bond
30lb royal 516
35lb double crown
23lb demy
82gsm
213/4lb bond
31lb royal 480
383/4lb double crown
251/2lb demy
91gsm
241/4lb bond
32lb royal 480
40lb double crown
261/4lb demy
94gsm
25lb bond
33lb royal 480
411/4lb double crown
27lb demy
97gsm
253/4lb bond
34lb royal 480
421/2lb double crown
28lb demy
100gsm
261/2lb bond
36lb royal 480
45lb double crown
291/2lb demy
105gsm
28lb bond
36lb royal 516
413/4lb double crown
271/2lb demy
98gsm
26lb bond
37lb royal 480
461/4lb double crown
301/4lb demy
108gsm
283/4lb bond
38lb royal 480
471/2lb double crown
311/4lb demy
111gsm
291/2lb bond
39lb royal 480
483/4lb double crown
32lb demy
114gsm
301/2lb bond
40lb royal 480
50lb double crown
323/4lb demy
117gsm
311/4lb bond
40lb royal 504
471/2lb double crown
311/4lb demy
112gsm
293/4lb bond
40lb royal 516
461/2lb double crown
301/2lb demy
109gsm
29lb bond
41lb royal 480
511/4lb double crown
333/4lb demy
120gsm
32lb bond
42lb royal 480
521/2lb double crown
341/2lb demy
123gsm
323/4lb bond
44lb royal 480
55lb double crown
36lb demy
129gsm
341/4lb bond
45lb royal 480
561/4lb double crown
37lb demy
132gsm
35lb bond
47lb royal 480
583/4lb double crown
381/2lb demy
138gsm
361/2lb bond
50lb royal 480
621/2lb double crown
41lb demy
146gsm
39lb bond
50lb royal 504
591/2lb double crown
39lb demy
139gsm
37lb bond
50lb royal 516
581/4lb double crown
381/4lb demy
136gsm
361/4lb bond
51lb royal 480
633/4lb double crown
413/4lb demy
149gsm
393/4lb bond
60lb royal 480
75lb double crown
491/4lb demy
176gsm
463/4lb bond
61lb royal 480
761/4lb double crown
50lb demy
179gsm
471/2lb bond
66lb royal 480
821/2lb double crown
541/4lb demy
193gsm
511/2lb bond
67lb royal 504
793/4lb double crown
521/4lb demy
187gsm
493/4lb bond
70lb royal 480
871/2lb double crown
571/2lb demy
205gsm
541/2lb bond
32lb double royal 500
191/4lb double crown
121/2lb demy
45gsm
12lb bond
37lb double royal 480
231/4lb double crown
151/4lb demy
54gsm
141/2lb bond
40lb double royal 504
233/4lb double crown
153/4lb demy
56gsm
143/4lb bond
42lb double royal 516
241/2lb double crown
16lb demy
57gsm
151/4lb bond
46lb double royal 480
283/4lb double crown
183/4lb demy
67gsm
18lb bond
48lb double royal 504
281/2lb double crown
183/4lb demy
67gsm
173/4lb bond
48lb double royal 516
28lb double crown
181/4lb demy
65gsm
171/2lb bond
50lb double royal 500
30lb double crown
193/4lb demy
70gsm
183/4lb bond
50lb double royal 516
29lb double crown
19lb demy
68gsm
18lb bond
54lb double royal 516
311/2lb double crown
201/2lb demy
74gsm
191/2lb bond
60lb double royal 500
36lb double crown
233/4lb demy
84gsm
221/2lb bond
60lb double royal 504
353/4lb double crown
231/2lb demy
84gsm
221/4lb bond
60lb double royal 516
35lb double crown
23lb demy
82gsm
213/4lb bond
661/2lb double royal 500
40lb double crown
261/4lb demy
94gsm
243/4lb bond
72lb double royal 504
423/4lb double crown
281/4lb demy
100gsm
263/4lb bond
72lb double royal 516
413/4lb double crown
271/2lb demy
98gsm
26lb bond
75lb double royal 500
45lb double crown
291/2lb demy
105gsm
28lb bond
80lb double royal 504
471/2lb double crown
311/4lb demy
112gsm
293/4lb bond
80lb double royal 516
461/2lb double crown
301/2lb demy
109gsm
29lb bond
91lb double royal 516
53lb double crown
343/4lb demy
124gsm
33lb bond
100lb double royal 504
591/2lb double crown
39lb demy
139gsm
37lb bond
100lb double royal 516
581/4lb double crown
381/4lb demy
136gsm
361/4lb bond
160lb quad royal 504
471/2lb double crown
311/4lb demy
112gsm
293/4lb bond
16lb crown 480
331/4lb double crown
22lb demy
78gsm
203/4lb bond
20lb crown 480
413/4lb double crown
271/4lb demy
98gsm
26lb bond
27lb crown 480
561/4lb double crown
37lb demy
132gsm
35lb bond
16lb double foolscap 480
213/4lb double crown
141/4lb demy
51gsm
131/2lb bond
21lb double foolscap 480
281/2lb double crown
183/4lb demy
67gsm
173/4lb bond
22lb double foolscap 480
30lb double crown
193/4lb demy
70gsm
183/4lb bond
23lb double foolscap 516
291/4lb double crown
19lb demy
68gsm
181/4lb bond
24lb double foolscap 480
323/4lb double crown
211/2lb demy
77gsm
201/4lb bond
25lb double foolscap 516
313/4lb double crown
203/4lb demy
74gsm
193/4lb bond
26lb double foolscap 480
351/2lb double crown
231/4lb demy
83gsm
22lb bond
28lb double foolscap 480
381/4lb double crown
25lb demy
89gsm
233/4lb bond
28lb double foolscap 516
351/2lb double crown
231/4lb demy
83gsm
22lb bond
29lb double foolscap 480
391/2lb double crown
26lb demy
93gsm
241/2lb bond
30lb double foolscap 480
403/4lb double crown
263/4lb demy
96gsm
251/2lb bond
30lb double foolscap 516
38lb double crown
25lb demy
89gsm
233/4lb bond
32lb double foolscap 480
431/2lb double crown
281/2lb demy
102gsm
271/4lb bond
36lb double foolscap 480
49lb double crown
321/4lb demy
115gsm
301/2lb bond
36lb double foolscap 516
451/2lb double crown
30lb demy
107gsm
281/2lb bond
38lb double foolscap 480
513/4lb double crown
34lb demy
121gsm
321/4lb bond
40lb double foolscap 480
541/2lb double crown
353/4lb demy
128gsm
34lb bond
45lb double foolscap 480
611/4lb double crown
401/4lb demy
144gsm
381/4lb bond
54lb double foolscap 480
731/2lb double crown
481/4lb demy
172gsm
453/4lb bond
67lb double foolscap 480
911/4lb double crown
593/4lb demy
214gsm
563/4lb bond
46lb quad foolscap 516
291/4lb double crown
19lb demy
68gsm
181/4lb bond
48lb quad foolscap 504
31lb double crown
201/2lb demy
73gsm
191/2lb bond
49lb quad foolscap 516
31lb double crown
201/4lb demy
73gsm
191/4lb bond
50lb quad foolscap 516
313/4lb double crown
203/4lb demy
74gsm
193/4lb bond
56lb quad foolscap 504
361/4lb double crown
233/4lb demy
85gsm
223/4lb bond
56lb quad foolscap 516
351/2lb double crown
231/4lb demy
83gsm
22lb bond
60lb quad foolscap 504
39lb double crown
251/2lb demy
91gsm
241/4lb bond
60lb quad foolscap 516
38lb double crown
25lb demy
89gsm
233/4lb bond
68lb quad foolscap 480
461/4lb double crown
301/2lb demy
108gsm
283/4lb bond
64lb quad demy 516
231/2lb double crown
151/2lb demy
55gsm
143/4lb bond
80lb quad demy 516
291/2lb double crown
191/2lb demy
69gsm
181/2lb bond
84lb quad demy 516
31lb double crown
201/4lb demy
73gsm
191/4lb bond
96lb quad demy 504
361/4lb double crown
233/4lb demy
85gsm
221/2lb bond
120lb quad demy 504
451/4lb double crown
293/4lb demy
106gsm
281/4lb bond
120lb quad demy 516
441/4lb double crown
29lb demy
104gsm
271/2lb bond
30lb imperial (writing and printing) 516
261/2lb double crown
171/4lb demy
62gsm
161/2lb bond
36lb imperial (writing and printing) 516
313/4lb double crown
203/4lb demy
74gsm
193/4lb bond
40lb imperial (writing and printing) 516
351/4lb double crown
23lb demy
83gsm
22lb bond
46lb imperial (writing and printing) 480
431/2lb double crown
281/2lb demy
102gsm
271/4lb bond
50lb imperial (writing and printing) 516
44lb double crown
29lb demy
103gsm
271/2lb bond
56lb imperial (writing and printing) 480
53lb double crown
343/4lb demy
124gsm
33lb bond
60lb imperial (writing and printing) 516
523/4lb double crown
343/4lb demy
124gsm
33lb bond
70lb imperial (writing and printing) 480
661/4lb double crown
431/2lb demy
155gsm
411/4lb bond
120lb imperial (writing and printing) 516
1053/4lb double crown
691/4lb demy
248gsm
653/4lb bond
13lb post (printing) (pre–1937 standardisation) 480
271/4lb double crown
18lb demy
64gsm
17lb bond
14lb post (printing) (pre–1937 standardisation) 480
291/4lb double crown
191/4lb demy
69gsm
181/4lb bond
22lb post (printing) (pre–1937 standardisation) 480
46lb double crown
301/4lb demy
108gsm
283/4lb bond
23lb post (printing) (pre–1937 standardisation) 480
481/4lb double crown
311/2lb demy
113gsm
30lb bond
24lb post (printing) (pre–1937 standardisation) 480
501/4lb double crown
33lb demy
118gsm
311/4lb bond
16lb large post 480
283/4lb double crown
19lb demy
68gsm
18lb bond
17lb large post 480
303/4lb double crown
20lb demy
72gsm
19lb bond
18lb large post 480
321/2lb double crown
211/4lb demy
76gsm
201/4lb bond
18lb large post 500
311/4lb double crown
201/2lb demy
73gsm
191/2lb bond
21lb large post 480
38lb double crown
243/4lb demy
89gsm
231/2lb bond
21lb large post 500
361/4lb double crown
233/4lb demy
85gsm
223/4lb bond
21lb large post 504
36lb double crown
233/4lb demy
85gsm
221/2lb bond
24lb large post 480
431/4lb double crown
281/2lb demy
101gsm
27lb bond
25lb large post 480
45lb double crown
291/2lb demy
106gsm
28lb bond
26lb large post 480
47lb double crown
303/4lb demy
110gsm
291/4lb bond
27lb large post 480
483/4lb double crown
32lb demy
114gsm
301/4lb bond
28lb large post 480
501/2lb double crown
33lb demy
118gsm
311/2lb bond
29lb large post 480
521/4lb double crown
341/4lb demy
123gsm
321/2lb bond
30lb large post 480
54lb double crown
351/2lb demy
127gsm
333/4lb bond
30lb large post 504
511/2lb double crown
333/4lb demy
121gsm
32lb bond
31lb large post 480
56lb double crown
363/4lb demy
131gsm
343/4lb bond
32lb large post 480
573/4lb double crown
38lb demy
135gsm
36lb bond
34lb large post 480
611/4lb double crown
401/4lb demy
144gsm
381/4lb bond
36lb large post 480
65lb double crown
421/2lb demy
152gsm
401/2lb bond
44lb large post 480
791/4lb double crown
52lb demy
186gsm
491/2lb bond
36lb double large post 516
301/4lb double crown
193/4lb demy
71gsm
183/4lb bond
60lb double large post 480
54lb double crown
351/2lb demy
127gsm
333/4lb bond
60lb double large post 504
511/2lb double crown
333/4lb demy
121gsm
32lb bond
20lb 121/2 in-by-19 in 480
521/2lb double crown
341/2lb demy
123gsm
323/4lb bond
25lb 15 in-by-221/2 in 480
461/4lb double crown
301/4lb demy
108gsm
283/4lb bond
25lb 15 in-by-23 in 480
451/4lb double crown
293/4lb demy
106gsm
281/4lb bond
20lb 151/2 in-by-18 in 480
443/4lb double crown
291/2lb demy
105gsm
28lb bond
25lb 17 in-by-23 in 480
40lb double crown
261/4lb demy
94gsm
25lb bond
30lb 17 in-by-23 in 480
48lb double crown
311/2lb demy
112gsm
30lb bond
67lb 201/2 in-by-251/2 in 500
77lb double crown
501/2lb demy
180gsm
48lb bond
84lb 201/2 in-by-251/2 in 500
961/2lb double crown
631/4lb demy
226gsm
60lb bond
100lb 201/2 in-by-251/2 in 500
1143/4lb double crown
751/4lb demy
269gsm
711/2lb bond
118lb 201/2 in-by-251/2 in 500
1351/2lb double crown
883/4lb demy
317gsm
841/2lb bond
80lb 201/2 in-by-301/2 in 500
763/4lb double crown
501/4lb demy
180gsm
473/4lb bond
100lb 201/2 in-by-301/2 in 500
96lb double crown
63lb demy
225gsm
593/4lb bond
120lb 201/2 in-by-301/2 in 500
1151/4lb double crown
751/2lb demy
270gsm
713/4lb bond
140lb 201/2 in-by-301/2 in 500
1341/4lb double crown
881/4lb demy
315gsm
833/4lb bond
36lb 21 in-by-29 in 516
341/4lb double crown
221/2lb demy
81gsm
211/2lb bond
75lb 21 in-by-301/2 in 504
693/4lb double crown
453/4lb demy
163gsm
431/2lb bond
106lb 22 in-by-25 in 500
1153/4lb double crown
753/4lb demy
271gsm
72lb bond
124lb 22 in-by-25 in 500
1351/4lb double crown
883/4lb demy
317gsm
841/4lb bond
190lb 22 in-by-25 in 500
2071/4lb double crown
136lb demy
486gsm
1291/4lb bond
122lb 22 in-by-29 in 500
1143/4lb double crown
751/4lb demy
269gsm
711/2lb bond
144lb 22 in-by-29 in 500
1351/2lb double crown
883/4lb demy
317gsm
841/2lb bond
220lb 22 in-by-29 in 500
207lb double crown
1353/4lb demy
485gsm
129lb bond
Wrapping paper
Common British basis weights
(various paper sizes and ream sizes)
Equivalent weight of a 500‑sheet ream of double imperial paper, a British wrapping paper commonly used to express the basis weight of wrapping paper
(rounded to the nearest quarter)
(a common British basis for intra‑category comparison)
Equivalent weight of a 500‑sheet ream of demy paper, a British uncut printing paper commonly used by default to express the basis weight of different types of paper[a]
(rounded to the nearest quarter)
(a common British basis for cross‑category comparison)
Equivalent grammage
(rounded to the nearest one)
Equivalent weight of a 500‑sheet ream of bond paper, an American uncut paper commonly used to express the basis weight of paper
(rounded to the nearest quarter)
(a common American basis for cross‑category comparison)
28lb bag cap (pre–1937 standardisation) 480
811/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
241/2lb demy
88gsm
231/4lb bond
40lb bag cap (pre–1937 standardisation) 480
1161/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
35lb demy
125gsm
331/4lb bond
50lb casing 480
41lb double imperial (wrapping)
121/2lb demy
44gsm
113/4lb bond
60lb casing 480
491/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
143/4lb demy
53gsm
14lb bond
70lb casing 480
571/2lb double imperial (wrapping)
171/4lb demy
62gsm
161/2lb bond
80lb casing 480
653/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
193/4lb demy
71gsm
183/4lb bond
100lb casing 480
82lb double imperial (wrapping)
243/4lb demy
88gsm
231/2lb bond
120lb casing 480
981/2lb double imperial (wrapping)
293/4lb demy
106gsm
281/4lb bond
140lb casing 480
115lb double imperial (wrapping)
343/4lb demy
124gsm
33lb bond
160lb casing 480
1311/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
393/4lb demy
142gsm
373/4lb bond
13lb double crown 480
291/2lb double imperial (wrapping)
9lb demy
32gsm
81/2lb bond
15lb double crown 480
34lb double imperial (wrapping)
101/4lb demy
37gsm
93/4lb bond
19lb double crown 480
43lb double imperial (wrapping)
13lb demy
46gsm
121/4lb bond
23lb double crown 480
52lb double imperial (wrapping)
153/4lb demy
56gsm
15lb bond
24lb double crown 480
541/2lb double imperial (wrapping)
161/2lb demy
59gsm
151/2lb bond
47lb double crown 480
1061/2lb double imperial (wrapping)
32lb demy
115gsm
301/2lb bond
80lb double crown 480
1811/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
543/4lb demy
195gsm
52lb bond
100lb double crown 480
2261/2lb double imperial (wrapping)
681/4lb demy
244gsm
65lb bond
120lb double crown 480
272lb double imperial (wrapping)
82lb demy
293gsm
78lb bond
34lb quad crown 480
381/2lb double imperial (wrapping)
111/2lb demy
42gsm
11lb bond
38lb quad crown 480
43lb double imperial (wrapping)
13lb demy
46gsm
121/4lb bond
48lb quad crown 504
513/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
151/2lb demy
56gsm
143/4lb bond
120lb quad crown 516
1261/2lb double imperial (wrapping)
381/4lb demy
136gsm
361/4lb bond
15lb demy 480
513/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
153/4lb demy
56gsm
143/4lb bond
26lb double demy 480
45lb double imperial (wrapping)
131/2lb demy
48gsm
123/4lb bond
29lb double demy 516
461/2lb double imperial (wrapping)
14lb demy
50gsm
131/4lb bond
30lb double demy 480
513/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
153/4lb demy
56gsm
143/4lb bond
34lb double demy 480
583/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
173/4lb demy
63gsm
163/4lb bond
60lb double demy 480
1031/2lb double imperial (wrapping)
311/4lb demy
112gsm
293/4lb bond
200lb extra large casing 480
1411/2lb double imperial (wrapping)
423/4lb demy
153gsm
401/2lb bond
50lb imperial (wrapping) 480
1041/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
311/2lb demy
112gsm
293/4lb bond
60lb imperial (wrapping) 480
125lb double imperial (wrapping)
373/4lb demy
135gsm
353/4lb bond
70lb imperial (wrapping) 480
1453/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
44lb demy
157gsm
413/4lb bond
140lb imperial (wrapping) 480
2913/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
88lb demy
314gsm
831/2lb bond
60lb double imperial (wrapping) 480
621/2lb double imperial (wrapping)
183/4lb demy
67gsm
18lb bond
65lb double imperial (wrapping) 480
673/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
201/2lb demy
73gsm
191/2lb bond
80lb double imperial (wrapping) 480
831/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
251/4lb demy
90gsm
24lb bond
100lb double imperial (wrapping) 480
1041/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
311/2lb demy
112gsm
293/4lb bond
120lb double imperial (wrapping) 480
125lb double imperial (wrapping)
373/4lb demy
135gsm
353/4lb bond
140lb double imperial (wrapping) 480
1453/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
44lb demy
157gsm
413/4lb bond
160lb double imperial (wrapping) 480
1663/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
501/4lb demy
180gsm
473/4lb bond
240lb double imperial (wrapping) 480
250lb double imperial (wrapping)
751/2lb demy
269gsm
713/4lb bond
240lb double double imperial 480
125lb double imperial (wrapping)
373/4lb demy
135gsm
353/4lb bond
280lb double double imperial 480
1453/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
44lb demy
157gsm
413/4lb bond
19lb small royal 480
563/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
17lb demy
61gsm
161/4lb bond
34lb quad small hand 480
381/2lb double imperial (wrapping)
111/2lb demy
42gsm
11lb bond
38lb quad small hand 480
43lb double imperial (wrapping)
13lb demy
46gsm
121/4lb bond
48lb quad small hand 504
513/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
151/2lb demy
56gsm
143/4lb bond
14lb 18 in-by-26 in 480
403/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
121/4lb demy
44gsm
113/4lb bond
15lb 18 in-by-26 in 480
431/2lb double imperial (wrapping)
131/4lb demy
47gsm
121/2lb bond
190lb 22 in-by-25 in 500
4503/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
136lb demy
486gsm
1291/4lb bond
220lb 22 in-by-29 in 500
450lb double imperial (wrapping)
1353/4lb demy
485gsm
129lb bond
32lb 251/2 in-by-35 in 480
483/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
143/4lb demy
53gsm
14lb bond
26lb 30 in-by-38 in 480
31lb double imperial (wrapping)
91/4lb demy
33gsm
83/4lb bond
30lb 30 in-by-38 in 480
353/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
103/4lb demy
39gsm
101/4lb bond
42lb 30 in-by-38 in 480
50lb double imperial (wrapping)
15lb demy
54gsm
141/4lb bond
180lb 38 in-by-48 in 480
1341/4lb double imperial (wrapping)
401/2lb demy
145gsm
381/2lb bond
Conversion between British basis weights, American basis weights, and grammage
It is possible to convert between different basis weights – both British and American – and grammage using different conversion formulae.
To convert between the basis weights of different paper with the same basis‑ream size (e. g., from lb large post 500 to lb demy 500), the following formula can be employed:[13]
Area of one sheet of paper in the target ream × Weight of the source ream ÷ Area of one sheet of paper in the source ream
To convert between the basis weights of different paper with different basis‑ream sizes (e. g., from lb large post 480 to lb demy 500), the relevant formula is below:
(Number of sheets of paper in the target ream × Area of one sheet of paper in the target ream) × Weight of the source ream ÷ (Number of sheets of paper in the source ream × Area of one sheet of paper in the source ream)[b]
To convert between the basis weights of the same paper with different basis‑ream sizes (e. g., from lb large post 480 to lb large post 500), one may either use the previous formula or the one below:
Weight of the source ream × Applicable conversion factor from the table below[14]
To →
From ↓
480
500
504
516
480
...
1.042
1.05
1.075
500
0.96
...
1.01
1.032
504
0.95
0.992
...
1.022
516
0.93
0.969
0.977
...
To convert from a basis weight to its equivalent grammage, the following is the applicable formula:[15]
Weight of the basis ream × 703,125 ÷ Area of one sheet of paper in the basis ream in square inch × Number of sheets of paper in the basis ream
To convert from grammage to the equivalent basis weight, the formula below can be used:[15]
Area of one sheet of paper in the basis ream in square inch × Number of sheets of paper in the basis ream × Value of gram per square metre ÷ 703,125
Utilising the aforementioned formulae, it is possible to work out the conversion factors for converting between various British and American units of basis weight and the gram per square metre:
Table of conversion factors for British units of basis weight (standardised basis sizes and 500‑sheet basis reams only) and their metric and American equivalents
Note 1: Value of lb demy × Relevant conversion factor = Value of the unit in the left column
Note 2: Value of a unit in the left column ÷ Relevant conversion factor = Value of lb demy
Note 3: To convert between any two units in the left column, Value of the source unit × (Conversion factor for the target unit ÷ Conversion factor for the source unit)
Note 4: Note that, as a matter of mathematical relationship, 1 'single' unit (e. g., lb foolscap) is always equal to 2 'double' unit (e. g., lb double foolscap) and 4 'quad' unit (e. g., lb quad foolscap), respectively. By the same token, 1 'double' unit is always equal to 1/2 'single' unit and 2 'quad' unit, respectively; and 1 'quad' unit is always equal to 1/2 'double' unit and 1/4 'single' unit, respectively. Due to the rounding of the conversion factors in this table, calculating with the conversion factors alone may not produce such results automatically.
lb casing (the definition on the island of Great Britain) (UK)
4.205713
lb casing (the definition on the island of Ireland) (UK)
4.388570
lb double crown (UK)
1.523809
lb double demy (UK)
2
lb double double imperial (UK)
6.628570
lb double elephant (UK)
2.742856
lb double foolscap (UK)
1.165714
lb double imperial (writing and printing) (UK)
3.352380
lb double imperial (wrapping) (UK)
3.314285
lb double large post (UK)
1.759999
lb double medium (UK)
2.102856
lb double post (UK)
1.447619
lb double royal (UK)
2.539681
lb double small demy (UK)
1.574603
lb double small foolscap (UK)
1.110475
lb extra large casing (UK)
4.876188
lb foolscap (UK)
0.582857
lb imperial (writing and printing) (UK)
1.676190
lb imperial (wrapping) (UK)
1.657142
lb large post (UK)
0.880000
lb large royal (UK)
1.405713
lb medium (UK)
1.051428
lb post (UK)
0.723809
lb quad crown (UK)
3.047619
lb quad demy (UK)
4
lb quad foolscap (UK)
2.331429
lb royal (UK)
1.269840
lb saddleback (UK)
4.114285
lb sheet‑and‑a‑half small foolscap (UK)
0.832857
lb sheet‑and‑a‑third small foolscap (UK)
0.740317
lb small demy (UK)
0.787301
lb small foolscap (UK)
0.555237
lb small royal (UK)
1.158094
gsm (metric)
3.571142
lb bond (US)
0.949841
lb Bristol (US)
1.628571
lb cover (US)
1.320634
lb index (US)
1.975236
lb tag (US)
2.194284
lb text (US)
2.412696
Table of conversion factors for British units of basis weight (all basis sizes and basis‑ream sizes) and their metric and American equivalents
Note 1: Value of lb demy 500 × Relevant conversion factor = Value of the unit in the left column
Note 2: Value of a unit in the left column ÷ Relevant conversion factor = Value of lb demy 500
Note 3: To convert between any two units in the left column, Value of the source unit × (Conversion factor for the target unit ÷ Conversion factor for the source unit)
Note 4: Note that, as a matter of mathematical relationship, as long as the ream size is the same, 1 'single' unit (e. g., lb crown 500) is always equal to 2 'double' unit (e. g., lb double crown 500) and 4 'quad' unit (e. g., lb quad crown 500), respectively. By the same token, 1 'double' unit is always equal to 1/2 'single' unit and 2 'quad' unit, respectively; and 1 'quad' unit is always equal to 1/2 'double' unit and 1/4 'single' unit, respectively. Due to the rounding of the conversion factors in this table, calculating with the conversion factors alone may not produce such results automatically.
lb bag cap 480 (the pre–1937 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.141027
lb bag cap 500 (the pre–1937 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.188571
lb bag cap 504 (the pre–1937 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.198079
lb bag cap 516 (the pre–1937 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.226605
lb bag cap 480 (UK)
1.170285
lb bag cap 500 (UK)
1.219047
lb bag cap 504 (UK)
1.228799
lb bag cap 516 (UK)
1.258056
lb casing 480 (definition on the island of Great Britain) (UK)
4.037483
lb casing 500 (definition on the island of Great Britain) (UK)
4.205713
lb casing 504 (definition on the island of Great Britain) (UK)
4.239357
lb casing 516 (definition on the island of Great Britain) (UK)
4.340294
lb casing 480 (definition on the island of Ireland) (UK)
4.213026
lb casing 500 (definition on the island of Ireland) (UK)
4.388570
lb casing 504 (definition on the island of Ireland) (UK)
4.423677
lb casing 516 (definition on the island of Ireland) (UK)
4.529003
lb copy 480 (UK)
0.804571
lb copy 500 (UK)
0.838095
lb copy 504 (UK)
0.844799
lb copy 516 (UK)
0.864914
lb crown 480 (UK)
0.731428
lb crown 500 (UK)
0.761905
lb crown 504 (UK)
0.768000
lb crown 516 (UK)
0.786285
lb demy 480 (UK)
0.960000
lb demy 504 (UK)
1.008000
lb demy 516 (UK)
1.032000
lb double bag cap 480 (UK)
2.282055
lb double bag cap 500 (UK)
2.377142
lb double bag cap 504 (UK)
2.396159
lb double bag cap 516 (UK)
2.453210
lb double crown 480 (UK)
1.462856
lb double crown 500 (UK)
1.523809
lb double crown 504 (UK)
1.535999
lb double crown 516 (UK)
1.572571
lb double demy 480 (UK)
1.919999
lb double demy 500 (UK)
2
lb double demy 504 (UK)
2.015999
lb double demy 516 (UK)
2.063999
lb double double imperial 480 (UK)
6.363425
lb double double imperial 500 (UK)
6.628570
lb double double imperial 504 (UK)
6.681596
lb double double imperial 516 (UK)
6.840682
lb double elephant (writing and printing) 480 (UK)
2.633141
lb double elephant (writing and printing) 500 (UK)
2.742856
lb double elephant (writing and printing) 504 (UK)
2.764798
lb double elephant (writing and printing) 516 (UK)
2.830627
lb double elephant (wrapping) 480 (UK)
3.476721
lb double elephant (wrapping) 500 (UK)
3.621586
lb double elephant (wrapping) 504 (UK)
3.650557
lb double elephant (wrapping) 516 (UK)
3.737475
lb double foolscap 480 (UK)
1.119085
lb double foolscap 500 (UK)
1.165714
lb double foolscap 504 (UK)
1.175040
lb double foolscap 516 (UK)
1.203017
lb double globe 480 (UK)
2.594132
lb double globe 500 (UK)
2.702221
lb double globe 504 (UK)
2.723838
lb double globe 516 (UK)
2.788691
lb double imperial (writing and printing) 480 (UK)
3.218284
lb double imperial (writing and printing) 500 (UK)
3.352380
lb double imperial (writing and printing) 504 (UK)
3.379198
lb double imperial (writing and printing) 516 (UK)
3.459655
lb double imperial (wrapping) 480 (UK)
3.181712
lb double imperial (wrapping) 500 (UK)
3.314285
lb double imperial (wrapping) 504 (UK)
3.340798
lb double imperial (wrapping) 516 (UK)
3.420341
lb double large post 480 (UK)
1.689599
lb double large post 500 (UK)
1.759999
lb double large post 504 (UK)
1.774079
lb double large post 516 (UK)
1.816319
lb double medium 480 (UK)
2.018741
lb double medium 500 (UK)
2.102856
lb double medium 504 (UK)
2.119678
lb double medium 516 (UK)
2.170147
lb double post (writing) 480 (the pre–1937 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.412875
lb double post (writing) 500 (the pre–1937 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.471745
lb double post (writing) 504 (the pre–1937 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.483518
lb double post (writing) 516 (the pre–1937 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.518840
lb double post (printing) 480 (the pre–1937 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.454932
lb double post (printing) 500 (the pre–1937 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.515555
lb double post (printing) 504 (the pre–1937 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.527679
lb double post (printing) 516 (the pre–1937 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.564052
lb double post 480 (UK)
1.389714
lb double post 500 (UK)
1.447619
lb double post 504 (UK)
1.459199
lb double post 516 (UK)
1.493942
lb double pott 480 (UK)
0.914285
lb double pott 500 (UK)
0.952380
lb double pott 504 (UK)
0.959999
lb double pott 516 (UK)
0.982856
lb double royal 480 (UK)
2.438093
lb double royal 500 (UK)
2.539681
lb double royal 504 (UK)
2.559998
lb double royal 516 (UK)
2.620950
lb double small cap 480 (UK)
2.072379
lb double small cap 500 (UK)
2.158729
lb double small cap 504 (UK)
2.175998
lb double small cap 516 (UK)
2.227808
lb double small demy 480 (UK)
1.511618
lb double small demy 500 (UK)
1.574603
lb double small demy 504 (UK)
1.587199
lb double small demy 516 (UK)
1.624990
lb double small foolscap 480 (UK)
1.066056
lb double small foolscap 500 (UK)
1.110475
lb double small foolscap 504 (UK)
1.119359
lb double small foolscap 516 (UK)
1.146010
lb double small hand 480 (UK)
1.414095
lb double small hand 500 (UK)
1.473016
lb double small hand 504 (UK)
1.484799
lb double small hand 516 (UK)
1.520152
lb double small royal 480 (UK)
2.223541
lb double small royal 500 (UK)
2.316189
lb double small royal 504 (UK)
2.334718
lb double small royal 516 (UK)
2.620950
lb elephant (writing and printing) 480 (UK)
1.570132
lb elephant (writing and printing) 500 (UK)
1.635555
lb elephant (writing and printing) 504 (UK)
1.648639
lb elephant (writing and printing) 516 (UK)
1.687892
lb elephant (wrapping) 480 (UK)
1.872456
lb elephant (wrapping) 500 (UK)
1.950475
lb elephant (wrapping) 504 (UK)
1.966078
lb elephant (wrapping) 516 (UK)
2.012890
lb extra large casing 480 (UK)
4.681139
lb extra large casing 500 (UK)
4.876188
lb extra large casing 504 (UK)
4.915196
lb extra large casing 516 (UK)
5.032225
lb foolscap 480 (UK)
0.559543
lb foolscap 500 (UK)
0.582857
lb foolscap 504 (UK)
0.587520
lb foolscap 516 (UK)
0.601508
lb haven cap 480 (UK)
1.331199
lb haven cap 500 (UK)
1.386666
lb haven cap 504 (UK)
1.397759
lb haven cap 516 (UK)
1.431039
lb imperial (writing and printing) 480 (UK)
1.609142
lb imperial (writing and printing) 500 (UK)
1.676190
lb imperial (writing and printing) 504 (UK)
1.689599
lb imperial (writing and printing) 516 (UK)
1.729827
lb imperial (wrapping) 480 (UK)
1.590856
lb imperial (wrapping) 500 (UK)
1.657142
lb imperial (wrapping) 504 (UK)
1.670399
lb imperial (wrapping) 516 (UK)
1.710170
lb Kent cap 480 (UK)
0.959999
lb Kent cap 500 (UK)
0.999999
lb Kent cap 504 (UK)
1.007999
lb Kent cap 516 (UK)
1.031999
lb large post 480 (UK)
0.844799
lb large post 500 (UK)
0.880000
lb large post 504 (UK)
0.887039
lb large post 516 (UK)
0.908159
lb large royal 480 (the pre–1937 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.316571
lb large royal 500 (the pre–1937 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.371428
lb large royal 504 (the pre–1937 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.382399
lb large royal 516 (the pre–1937 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.415314
lb large royal 480 (UK)
1.349484
lb large royal 500 (UK)
1.405713
lb large royal 504 (UK)
1.416958
lb large royal 516 (UK)
1.450696
lb lumber hand 480 (UK)
0.960000
lb lumber hand 500 (UK)
1
lb lumber hand 504 (UK)
1.008000
lb lumber hand 516 (UK)
1.032000
lb medium 480 (UK)
1.009371
lb medium 500 (UK)
1.051428
lb medium 504 (UK)
1.059839
lb medium 516 (UK)
1.085073
lb music demy 480 (UK)
0.727238
lb music demy 500 (UK)
0.757540
lb music demy 504 (UK)
0.763600
lb music demy 516 (UK)
0.781781
lb pinched post 480 (UK)
0.665295
lb pinched post 500 (UK)
0.693016
lb pinched post 504 (UK)
0.698559
lb pinched post 516 (UK)
0.715192
lb post (writing) 480 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
0.706437
lb post (writing) 500 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
0.735872
lb post (writing) 504 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
0.741759
lb post (writing) 516 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
0.759420
lb post (printing) 480 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
0.727466
lb post (printing) 500 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
0.757777
lb post (printing) 504 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
0.763839
lb post (printing) 516 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
0.782026
lb post 480 (UK)
0.694857
lb post 500 (UK)
0.723809
lb post 504 (UK)
0.729600
lb post 516 (UK)
0.746971
lb pott 480 (UK)
0.457143
lb pott 500 (UK)
0.476191
lb pott 504 (UK)
0.480000
lb pott 516 (UK)
0.491429
lb quad crown 480 (UK)
2.925713
lb quad crown 500 (UK)
3.047619
lb quad crown 504 (UK)
3.071998
lb quad crown 516 (UK)
3.145141
lb quad demy 480 (UK)
3.839999
lb quad demy 500 (UK)
4
lb quad demy 504 (UK)
4.031999
lb quad demy 516 (UK)
4.127999
lb quad foolscap 480 (UK)
2.238171
lb quad foolscap 500 (UK)
2.331429
lb quad foolscap 504 (UK)
2.350080
lb quad foolscap 516 (UK)
2.406034
lb quad globe 480 (UK)
5.188263
lb quad globe 500 (UK)
5.404442
lb quad globe 504 (UK)
5.447676
lb quad globe 516 (UK)
5.577383
lb quad pott 480 (UK)
1.828572
lb quad pott 500 (UK)
1.904763
lb quad pott 504 (UK)
1.920000
lb quad pott 516 (UK)
1.965715
lb quad royal 480 (UK)
4.876186
lb quad royal 500 (UK)
5.079362
lb quad royal 504 (UK)
5.119995
lb quad royal 516 (UK)
5.241900
lb quad small hand 480 (UK)
2.925712
lb quad small hand 500 (UK)
3.047618
lb quad small hand 504 (UK)
3.071998
lb quad small hand 516 (UK)
3.145140
lb royal 480 (UK)
1.219046
lb royal 500 (UK)
1.269840
lb royal 504 (UK)
1.279999
lb royal 516 (UK)
1.310475
lb saddleback 480 (UK)
3.949712
lb saddleback 500 (UK)
4.114285
lb saddleback 504 (UK)
4.147198
lb saddleback 516 (UK)
4.245940
lb sheet‑and‑a‑half small foolscap 480 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
0.791466
lb sheet‑and‑a‑half small foolscap 500 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
0.824444
lb sheet‑and‑a‑half small foolscap 504 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
0.831040
lb sheet‑and‑a‑half small foolscap 516 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
0.850826
lb sheet‑and‑a‑half small foolscap 480 (UK)
0.799543
lb sheet‑and‑a‑half small foolscap 500 (UK)
0.832857
lb sheet‑and‑a‑half small foolscap 504 (UK)
0.839520
lb sheet‑and‑a‑half small foolscap 516 (UK)
0.859508
lb sheet‑and‑a‑third small foolscap 480 (UK)
0.710704
lb sheet‑and‑a‑third small foolscap 500 (UK)
0.740317
lb sheet‑and‑a‑third small foolscap 504 (UK)
0.746240
lb sheet‑and‑a‑third small foolscap 516 (UK)
0.764007
lb small cap 480 (UK)
1.036190
lb small cap 500 (UK)
1.079364
lb small cap 504 (UK)
1.087999
lb small cap 516 (UK)
1.113904
lb small demy 480 (UK)
0.755809
lb small demy 500 (UK)
0.787301
lb small demy 504 (UK)
0.793599
lb small demy 516 (UK)
0.812495
lb small foolscap 480 (UK)
0.533028
lb small foolscap 500 (UK)
0.555237
lb small foolscap 504 (UK)
0.559679
lb small foolscap 516 (UK)
0.573005
lb small hand 480 (UK)
0.731428
lb small hand 500 (UK)
0.761905
lb small hand 504 (UK)
0.768000
lb small hand 516 (UK)
0.786285
lb small medium 480 (UK)
0.938666
lb small medium 500 (UK)
0.977777
lb small medium 504 (UK)
0.985599
lb small medium 516 (UK)
1.009066
lb small post 480 (UK)
0.654018
lb small post 500 (UK)
0.681269
lb small post 504 (UK)
0.686719
lb small post 516 (UK)
0.703070
lb small royal 480 (UK)
1.111770
lb small royal 500 (UK)
1.158094
lb small royal 504 (UK)
1.167359
lb small royal 516 (UK)
1.195153
lb super royal (writing) 480 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.267199
lb super royal (writing) 500 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.319999
lb super royal (writing) 504 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.330559
lb super royal (writing) 516 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.362239
lb super royal (printing) 480 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.374475
lb super royal (printing) 500 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.431745
lb super royal (printing) 504 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.443199
lb super royal (printing) 516 (the pre–1925 standardisation definition) (UK)
1.477561
lb super royal 480 (UK)
1.250742
lb super royal 500 (UK)
1.302856
lb super royal 504 (UK)
1.313279
lb super royal 516 (UK)
1.344547
lb 20″‑by‑24″ 480 (UK)
1.170285
lb 20″‑by‑24″ 500 (UK)
1.219047
lb 20″‑by‑24″ 504 (UK)
1.228799
lb 20″‑by‑24″ 516 (UK)
1.258056
lb 20″‑by‑28″ 480 (UK)
1.365333
lb 20″‑by‑28″ 500 (UK)
1.422222
lb 20″‑by‑28″ 504 (UK)
1.433599
lb 20″‑by‑28″ 516 (UK)
1.467733
lb 21″‑by‑31″ 480 (UK)
1.587199
lb 21″‑by‑31″ 500 (UK)
1.653333
lb 21″‑by‑31″ 504 (UK)
1.666559
lb 21″‑by‑31″ 516 (UK)
1.706239
lb 21″‑by‑34″ 480 (UK)
1.740799
lb 21″‑by‑34″ 500 (UK)
1.813333
lb 21″‑by‑34″ 504 (UK)
1.827839
lb 21″‑by‑34″ 516 (UK)
1.871359
lb 22″‑by‑32″ 480 (UK)
1.716418
lb 22″‑by‑32″ 500 (UK)
1.787936
lb 22″‑by‑32″ 504 (UK)
1.802239
lb 22″‑by‑32″ 516 (UK)
1.845149
lb 22″‑by‑35″ 480 (UK)
1.877332
lb 22″‑by‑35″ 500 (UK)
1.955555
lb 22″‑by‑35″ 504 (UK)
1.971198
lb 22″‑by‑35″ 516 (UK)
2.018132
lb 23″‑by‑34″ 480 (UK)
1.906589
lb 23″‑by‑34″ 500 (UK)
1.986031
lb 23″‑by‑34″ 504 (UK)
2.001918
lb 23″‑by‑34″ 516 (UK)
2.049583
lb 24″‑by‑30″ 480 (UK)
1.755427
lb 24″‑by‑30″ 500 (UK)
1.828571
lb 24″‑by‑30″ 504 (UK)
1.843199
lb 24″‑by‑30″ 516 (UK)
1.887084
lb 24″‑by‑36″ 480 (UK)
2.106512
lb 24″‑by‑36″ 500 (UK)
2.194284
lb 24″‑by‑36″ 504 (UK)
2.211838
lb 24″‑by‑36″ 516 (UK)
2.264501
lb 24″‑by‑40″ 480 (UK)
2.340569
lb 24″‑by‑40″ 500 (UK)
2.438094
lb 24″‑by‑40″ 504 (UK)
2.457598
lb 24″‑by‑40″ 516 (UK)
2.516112
lb 26″‑by‑36″ 480 (UK)
2.282056
lb 26″‑by‑36″ 500 (UK)
2.377142
lb 26″‑by‑36″ 504 (UK)
2.396159
lb 26″‑by‑36″ 516 (UK)
2.453210
lb 28″‑by‑45″ 480 (UK)
3.071998
lb 28″‑by‑45″ 500 (UK)
3.199999
lb 28″‑by‑45″ 504 (UK)
3.225598
lb 28″‑by‑45″ 516 (UK)
3.302398
lb 29″‑by‑44″ 480 (UK)
3.111008
lb 29″‑by‑44″ 500 (UK)
3.240634
lb 29″‑by‑44″ 504 (UK)
3.266558
lb 29″‑by‑44″ 516 (UK)
3.344333
lb 30″‑by‑38″ 480 (UK)
2.779426
lb 30″‑by‑38″ 500 (UK)
2.895237
lb 30″‑by‑38″ 504 (UK)
2.918398
lb 30″‑by‑38″ 516 (UK)
2.987883
lb 30″‑by‑46″ 480 (UK)
3.364569
lb 30″‑by‑46″ 500 (UK)
3.504761
lb 30″‑by‑46″ 504 (UK)
3.532798
lb 30″‑by‑46″ 516 (UK)
3.616912
lb 34″‑by‑36″ 480 (UK)
2.984227
lb 34″‑by‑36″ 500 (UK)
3.108571
lb 34″‑by‑36″ 504 (UK)
3.133438
lb 34″‑by‑36″ 516 (UK)
3.208044
lb 36″‑by‑36″ 480 (UK)
3.159770
lb 36″‑by‑36″ 500 (UK)
3.291428
lb 36″‑by‑36″ 504 (UK)
3.317758
lb 36″‑by‑36″ 516 (UK)
3.396752
lb 36″‑by‑48″ 480 (UK)
4.213026
lb 36″‑by‑48″ 500 (UK)
4.388570
lb 36″‑by‑48″ 504 (UK)
4.423677
lb 36″‑by‑48″ 516 (UK)
4.529003
lb 38″‑by‑48″ 480 (UK)
4.447083
lb 38″‑by‑48″ 500 (UK)
4.632379
lb 38″‑by‑48″ 504 (UK)
4.669437
lb 38″‑by‑48″ 516 (UK)
4.780614
lb 45″‑by‑56″ 480 (UK)
6.143996
lb 45″‑by‑56″ 500 (UK)
6.399998
lb 45″‑by‑56″ 504 (UK)
6.451196
lb 45″‑by‑56″ 516 (UK)
6.604796
gsm (metric)
3.571142
lb bond (US)
0.949841
lb Bristol (US)
1.628571
lb cover (US)
1.320634
lb index (US)
1.975236
lb tag (US)
2.194284
lb text (US)
2.412696
Using British basis sizes and the 500‑sheet basis‑ream (a traditional British basis‑ream size that coincides with the modern standard definition of 'ream'), and with the help of the aforementioned conversion formulae or conversion factors, it is possible to express the paper weights of different types of paper in everyday life using British units of basis weight: the typical photocopier paper that is used as all‑purpose paper is 171/4 or 193/4lb large post (70 or 80gsm);[16] personal and business letter paper, especially that with engraved letterheads, is typically 243/4–291/2lb large post (100–120gsm);[17] greetings cards are usually 851/4–1063/4lb double crown (200–250gsm);[18] newspaper paper is typically 15–231/2lb double crown (35–55gsm);[19] business cards are usually 128–1491/4lb double crown (300–350gsm);[19] two‑ply toilet rolls and paper kitchen towels are 73/4lb double crown (31gsm)[20] (both layers combined) and 17lb double crown (40gsm),[21] respectively; and the typical department‑store wrapping paper is commonly 461/2–65lb double imperial (50–70gsm).[22] In the traditional British system, large post, double crown, and double imperial are common British basis sizes for writing paper, printing paper and other paper that is not writing or wrapping paper, and wrapping paper, respectively. '500' is omitted because it is clear from the context that a 'ream' is 500 sheets.
Caliper
Paper thickness, or caliper, is a common measurement specified and required for certain printing applications. Since a paper's density is typically not directly known or specified, the thickness of any sheet of paper cannot be calculated by any method. Instead, it is measured and specified separately as its caliper. However, paper thickness for most typical business papers might be similar across comparable brands. If thickness is not specified for a paper in question, it must be either measured or guessed based on a comparable paper's specification.
Caliper is usually measured in micrometres (μm), or in the United States also in mils (1 mil = 1/1000 in = 25.4 μm). Commonly, 20-pound bond paper ranges between roughly 97 and 114 μm (0.0038 and 0.0045 in) in thickness.[23]
^ abcThe pound per ream of demy paper has been chosen as the common unit for comparing the basis weights of paper in all three categories in this table, since there is a tradition of using demy as the default paper size for basis weight: in the British paper industry, there was a device, called 'demy scale', that was used to measure the weights of paper samples in pound per ream of demy paper (480‑sheet, 500‑sheet, and 516‑sheet reams).
^This formula and the previous formula are essentially the same, with the only difference being the inclusion of the numbers of sheets of paper in both the source ream and the target ream. Technically, the numbers of sheets of paper should also be included in the previous formula. However, since the numbers of sheets of paper in the two reams will be cancelled out if they are the same, they can be omitted in the previous formula.
^The pound per ream of demy paper has been chosen as the base unit because there is a tradition of using demy as the default paper size for basis weight: in the British paper industry, there was a device, called 'demy scale', that was used to measure the weights of paper samples in pound per ream of demy paper (480‑sheet, 500‑sheet, and 516‑sheet reams).
^The pound per 500‑sheet ream of demy paper has been chosen as the base unit for two reasons. Firstly, there is a tradition of using demy as the default paper size for basis weight: in the British paper industry, there was a device, called 'demy scale', that was used to measure the weights of paper samples in pound per ream of demy paper (480‑sheet, 500‑sheet, and 516‑sheet reams).
Secondly, 500 sheets is both the modern standard definition of the ream and one of the traditional British basis‑ream sizes.
^ abBased on the basis weights mentioned in the paper‑related advertisements and articles in the following newspapers and paper‑industry magazines published during the days when the British paper industry exclusively used basis weights:
Advertisement by J. Moore, page 5, 15th December, 1853 edition, The Sydney Morning Herald
'London School Board', page 69, March, 1887 edition, The Stationery Trade Review
Pages 24, 34, and 87, 25th January, 1892 edition, The Printing World
