Paper weight calculator
This paper weight calculator works from size and paper weight in gsm: an A4 sheet at 80 gsm weighs 4.99 g and a 500-sheet ream about 2.5 kg. It also shows how many sheets fit under a postal weight limit.
Example: What do you want to calculate: Weight from the paper weight (gsm) · Paper size: A4 (210 × 297 mm) · Paper weight 80 · Unit of paper weight: gsm (g/m²) · Number of sheets 500 · Envelope or packaging 0 g → Result: 4.99 g / sheet · 2.495 kg (500 sheets). Source: Wikipedia – Flächengewicht (Grammatur von Papier in g/m², ISO 536). Updated: .
How it is calculated
Weight = gsm × area. An A4 sheet (0.06237 m²) at 80 gsm weighs 4.99 g, and a 500-sheet ream about 2.5 kg.
How it is calculated
The paper weight (grammage) states in g/m² how heavy one square metre of paper is. Multiplied by the area of the sheet it gives the weight per sheet, and times the number of sheets the total weight. In A4 (210 × 297 mm), 80 gsm is the usual copy paper, 120 gsm is typical for brochures and 250 gsm and more for cards.
Paper weight from a weighed stack
Weigh a stack on a kitchen scale and divide the weight by the number of sheets and the area. 50 sheets of A4 weighing 250 g equal 80 gsm. The calculator does this for you and also gives the weight in lb (bond) as used in the US.
- US paper conversion: 20 lb bond is about 75 gsm, 50 lb text about 74 gsm.
- For mailing: the calculator shows how many sheets fit under 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 g after subtracting the envelope.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a sheet of A4 paper weigh?
About 4.99 g at 80 gsm, 6.24 g at 100 gsm and 7.48 g at 120 gsm. An A4 sheet has an area of 0.06237 m².
How much does a ream of paper weigh?
A ream has 500 sheets. In A4 at 80 gsm that is about 2.5 kg, and a box of five reams weighs just under 12.5 kg.
How do I work out the paper weight from the weight?
Divide the weight in grams by the number of sheets and the area in m². 50 sheets of A4 weighing 250 g give 250 / (50 × 0.06237) = 80 gsm.
Sources and legal basis
- Wikipedia – Flächengewicht (Grammatur von Papier in g/m², ISO 536)
- Wikipedia – Paper density (gsm, lb bond, lb text, Umrechnung)
- Wikipedia – Papierformat (DIN 476 / ISO 216, Abmessungen)
As of: · Editorial policy
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