GSM to Pounds Calculator
A GSM value does not map to one universal U.S. lb number. Enter GSM to see the approximate basis weight for each common paper category.
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Use the real values from your job. Optional fields can stay blank; zero should only be used when the value genuinely does not apply.
Your result will appear here
1 required value is still missing.
“80 lb” is incomplete without the paper category
U.S. basis weight uses 500 sheets of a category-specific basis size. Bond/writing, text/book, cover and index therefore produce different pound numbers for the same GSM. GSM is mass per square metre and does not change with the sheet size.
| Category | Common basis sheet | What the lb number refers to |
|---|---|---|
| Bond / writing | 17 × 22 in | 500 basis sheets |
| Text / book | 25 × 38 in | 500 basis sheets |
| Cover | 20 × 26 in | 500 basis sheets |
| Index | 25.5 × 30.5 in | 500 basis sheets |
What the result is useful for
Use this when a supplier gives GSM but a U.S. paper specification uses basis pounds. Comparing Bond/Writing, Text/Book, Cover and Index side by side prevents one lb value from being treated as universal.
How the calculation works
The same GSM is converted across multiple U.S. paper categories because each category uses a different 500-sheet basis size.
What this calculator cannot know
Paper caliper, stiffness, coating and bulk are separate properties from GSM/basis weight. Manufacturer specifications and physical measurements control machine/binding suitability.