PAPER STOCK
Paper Weight Calculator
Calculate paper sheet weight instantly by size, GSM, and quantity. Get accurate weight per sheet and total print run mass in grams, kilograms, ounces, and pounds.
Everyday 75–90 GSM paper. Ideal for home/office printing, copying, and memos.
Shipping, Postal & Job Cost Estimator▾
Mailing & Postage Tier
1 Sheet weighs 0.18 oz — fits within USPS 1-Ounce First-Class Standard Stamp.
You can mail approximately 5 sheets in a standard #10 envelope before exceeding 1 ounce.Packaging & Freight Classification
Total weight: 4.99 kg (11.00 lbs)
Standard ground parcel delivery (FedEx/UPS/USPS). Easily handled in a single carton.Paper Cost Estimator
How the Paper Weight Calculator Works
To calculate paper weight, follow these 3 steps:
- Select the paper size from the dropdown — standard sizes like A4, A3, Letter, Legal, and Tabloid are pre-loaded with their exact dimensions.
- Enter the basis weight in GSM (grams per square meter). Common values: 75–80 gsm for office copy paper, 90–120 gsm for quality documents, 170–300 gsm for cardstock and brochures.
- Set the quantity — the number of sheets in your print run. The calculator outputs weight per sheet and total weight.
Results display in grams (g) and kilograms (kg). Hover or tap the total weight figure to see the equivalent in ounces (oz) and pounds (lb). To calculate the weight of a different paper size, use our paper size converter to find the exact dimensions first.
Paper weight conversion table
Paper weight is expressed in 2 main units: GSM (grammage) and basis weight (lbs). Basis weight is the weight in pounds of 500 sheets at a paper-type-specific basic sheet size. Enter any GSM value below to see the equivalent basis weight across 4 stock types.
| GSM (g/m²) | Bond lb (17×22 in) | Text lb (25×38 in) | Cover lb (20×26 in) | Index lb (25.5×30.5 in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 16 | 40 | 22 | 33 |
| 75 | 20 | 50 | 28 | 42 |
| 90 | 24 | 60 | 33 | 50 |
| 105 | 28 | 70 | 39 | 59 |
| 120 | 32 | 80 | 45 | 67 |
| 135 | 36 | 90 | 50 | 75 |
| 150 | 40 | 101 | 55 | 83 |
| 200 | 53 | 135 | 74 | 111 |
| 250 | 67 | 170 | 92 | 138 |
| 350 | 94 | 236 | 130 | 194 |
A 20 lb bond sheet, a 50 lb text sheet, and a 75 gsm sheet — when cut to the same size — all weigh approximately the same. This is why comparing across stock types requires knowing the basic sheet size. Our paper cutting calculator helps you plan how many same-size pieces you get from a parent sheet.
Paper weight calculator formula
The paper weight formula is: Weight = Length × Width × GSM. Length and Width are in meters; the result is in grams.
For a sheet measured in millimeters, convert to meters first by dividing by 1,000. The full formula becomes:
Weight (g) = (Width_mm ÷ 1000) × (Height_mm ÷ 1000) × GSM
For multiple sheets, multiply by the sheet count:
Total Weight (g) = Width_m × Height_m × GSM × Quantity
To convert the result: divide by 1,000 for kilograms (kg), divide by 28.35 for ounces (oz), or divide by 453.59 for pounds (lb).
Output values
The paper weight calculator outputs 3 values for each calculation:
- One sheet — the weight of a single sheet in grams (g).
- Total run — the combined weight for the full quantity entered, in grams (g). Hover or tap this value to see kg, oz, and lb equivalents.
- Area — the sheet area in square meters (m²), shown so you can verify dimensions against your gsm specification.
These outputs help with 4 common tasks: estimating shipping weight for print jobs, checking if paper stock meets printer weight limits, planning storage space and pallet loads, and calculating paper cost by weight.
Paper weight chart: What is the grammage of paper?
Grammage is the weight of paper in grams per square meter (g/m²), also written as gsm. Every paper product carries a gsm rating on its packaging. Higher gsm means heavier, stiffer paper. Lower gsm means lighter, more flexible sheets.
There are 5 common gsm ranges for different paper uses:
- 35–55 gsm — Newsprint and thin book paper. Lightweight, semi-transparent, used in newspapers, phone directories, and Bible printing.
- 60–90 gsm — Standard office copy paper and writing paper. The most common range for everyday printing and photocopying.
- 90–120 gsm — Quality document paper and letterhead. Noticeably heavier than copy paper, with a more substantial feel.
- 170–250 gsm — Brochure and photo paper. Commonly used for marketing materials, flyers, and photo prints.
- 250–400 gsm — Cardstock and cover paper. Used for business cards, postcards, book covers, packaging, and invitations.
The gsm value does not directly describe thickness. Two sheets with the same gsm can differ in caliper (thickness in microns) depending on fiber composition and coating. To plan for paper size compatibility across formats like A4, A3, or Letter, visit our paper size comparison tool.
Sample calculation of the weight of paper
Suppose you need to order 5 reams (2,500 sheets) of 70 gsm A4 copy paper and want to know the total shipment weight.
A4 paper measures 210 mm × 297 mm (0.210 m × 0.297 m). Apply the paper weight formula:
Weight per sheet = 0.210 × 0.297 × 70 = 4.3659 g
Multiply by the sheet count to get the total weight:
Total weight = 4.3659 g × 2,500 = 10,914.75 g ≈ 10.91 kg (24.06 lb)
At 80 gsm instead of 70 gsm, the same 2,500 A4 sheets would weigh 12,474 g ≈ 12.47 kg (27.50 lb). For large print runs, that difference directly affects freight costs. Use the paper cutting and sheet yield calculator to plan how many parent sheets you need to cut down to your target size before estimating the total shipment weight.
How much does a sheet of paper weigh?
A single A4 sheet weighs 4.99 g (0.176 oz) at 80 gsm — the most common office copy paper weight. The exact weight depends on 3 variables: sheet size, gsm, and paper type. Change the GSM below to recalculate weights for all common sizes instantly.
| Paper Size | Dimensions (mm) | Weight per sheet at 80 gsm | Ream (500 sheets) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A6 | 105 × 148 | ||
| A5 | 148 × 210 | ||
| A4 | 210 × 297 | ||
| A3 | 297 × 420 | ||
| A2 | 420 × 594 | ||
| Letter (US) | 216 × 279 | ||
| Legal (US) | 216 × 356 | ||
| Tabloid (US) | 279 × 432 |
For sizes not in the table, use the paper weight calculator at the top of this page. To check dimensions for any paper format, see our paper size converter or browse paper size comparisons between A4, Letter, A3, and other standard formats. If you are printing and need to verify your file resolution before the press run, the DPI and print resolution calculator checks whether your image pixels match the target print size.