Convert paper weight between GSM and pounds for text, cover, bond, index, bristol, and tag paper. Pick the paper type first, because 80 lb text and 80 lb cover are not the same thickness.
Use GSM for international specs, or choose a pound basis weight used by many US paper and print shops.
Choose a value to convert.
GSM is simple: grams per square meter. Pound weight is different because it measures the weight of 500 sheets at a specific basis size. Text, cover, bond, and index paper use different basis sheet sizes, so pound values cannot be compared directly without converting to GSM.
For shopping, quoting, or matching a print sample, use the exact paper category from the mill or printer whenever possible.
| Paper | Approx. match | Typical use |
|---|
80 lb text is about 118 GSM. It is common for booklets, flyers, and higher-quality text pages.
80 lb cover is about 216 GSM. It is much heavier than 80 lb text because cover stock uses a different basis sheet size.
GSM compares weight, not exact thickness. Coating, fiber, finish, and stiffness can make two papers with the same GSM feel different.