Paper 101 - Paper Weight Guide
Why is 80 lb. text paper thinner than 65 lb. cover?
A paper's weight in pounds depends on its type, so the same number can mean very different thicknesses. 80 lb. text is about 118 gsm, while 65 lb. cover is about 176 gsm. The cover sheet is heavier and thicker, even though its number is lower.
GSM (grams per square meter) is the easiest way to compare papers of any type: higher gsm means a heavier sheet. Use the charts below to compare weights across paper types and see real examples.
Common Paper Weights at a Glance
| Paper weight | Approx. GSM |
|---|---|
| 70 lb. text | 104 gsm |
| 80 lb. text | 118 gsm |
| 100 lb. text | 148 gsm |
| 65 lb. cover | 176 gsm |
| 80 lb. cover | 216 gsm |
| 100 lb. cover | 270 gsm |
| 110 lb. cover | 298 gsm |
| 130 lb. cover | 352 gsm |
How Paper Weight Works
Why pounds can be misleading
Basis weight in pounds is the weight of 500 sheets of a paper's "standard sheet" size. Each paper type uses a different standard size, so a pound number only means something when you know the type. When sheets are cut down to everyday sizes, they keep their original basis weight.
| Paper type | Standard sheet size |
|---|---|
| Book or Text | 25 x 38 inches |
| Index | 25.5 x 30.5 inches |
| Bristol | 22.5 x 28.5 inches |
| Cover | 20 x 26 inches |
Because a text sheet is much larger than a cover sheet, 500 sheets of thin text paper can outweigh 500 sheets of thicker cover paper. What most people call "cardstock" is technically cover paper.
Weight vs. thickness (caliper)
Thickness, or caliper, is measured with a micrometer in points, where 1 pt. = 1/1000 of an inch. Weight is a good guide to thickness, but two papers of the same weight can differ. It depends on the fibers used and how much the paper is pressed smooth during manufacturing, a process called calendering.
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Browse all cardstock and paper, find a sturdy everyday sheet in our 80 lb. cardstock collection, or go thicker with heavyweight cardstock.