Understanding paper weights can be a wrestling match for both new and seasoned graphics professionals alike. The reason people struggle with paper measurement is because it's a ridiculously confusing system. I see it all the time. Someone may say, "I asked for an 80 lb." However, did this person ask for an 80 lb. text or an 80 lb. cover? Often this basis distinction goes unstated and therefore causes confusion. Let's get to the bottom of this quickly. By the time you're finished reading this article, understanding paper weights will be a very easy exercise.

The Paper Mill Store has some helpful charts and calculators that will get you ordering and specifying paper like an old pro in no time. Our charts and calculators make great reference tools so that you don't have to become a paper geek. You can bookmark them, use them when you need them and send them on to friends. But first, a little background information on the basis weight system.

Let me point out why I believe the USA paper measure system is ridiculous. There are two worldwide systems of paper measure: metric, which is used throughout most of the world, and our system of imperial measure gone bad. The metric system is based on the metric standard and the USA system of paper measure is based on imperial measure standards — combined with an antiquated system of U.S. government paper buying specifications. Enough said?

About the author: Brian J. Cowie is the CEO and founder of CTI Paper Group. He has spent the last 17 years developing paper grades, establishing paper brands and building global paper distribution for the group. Established in 1989, CTI Paper Group is an industry leader in paper design and distribution. The company is headquartered in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, and has three divisions, CTI Paper USA, WorldWin Papers and The Paper Mill Store. In a previous career, Cowie was a general partner of a boutique money management firm, Hugo Securities and then he was self employed as an independent floor trader on both the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade.

Metric Paper Measure

Metric paper weight is an easy-to-understand formula. However, it is used little here in the USA. In metric measure, all paper weight is based on how many grams are per square meter per single sheet of paper (or G/M2). So, you might see a weight like 250 G/M2 or 90 G/M2. The 90 G/M2 is considered a text weight and the 250 G/M2, a cover weight. All paper grades are measured in the same manner in metric paper measure. Regardless of the end use or basis size (which don't exist in metric) you simply specify the weight of paper you want. "Please give me a 90 G/M2," would be a common statement.

Now, hold on to your hats. It's USA paper measure time. If you want to skip the madness and go right to our paper tools please do so.

Paper weight described in imperial measure, used primarily in North America, is confusing. In all of the USA, and subsequently most of North America, paper weights are measured depending on the most popular end use of a particular grade. Examples include "text paper," "cover paper," "bond paper" or "writing paper" to name a few of the more common paper basis weight categories. Each of these paper weight categories has its own “basis size” from which to calculate its weight. The weight is determined by weighing 500 sheets of each basis size. For example, a text paper is based on the basis size 25" x 38" x 500 sheets = "x" lbs. and is referred to as an "x" lb. text paper. Cover paper is based on the basis size 20" x 26" x 500 sheets = "x" lbs. and is referred to as an "x" lb. cover paper.

Confused yet? It gets worse. You can have two sheets of the same paper grade and weigh each of the sheets based on different basis sizes and you will have two different paper weights for the same grade of paper. Because of this peculiar situation, you must always know which basis size is being referenced. When a paper is referred to as an 80 lb., without the basis weight qualifier of text, cover, etc., you cannot be sure which weight of paper is being referenced. It could be a text basis or a cover basis or any basis of the many basis sizes commonly used in North American paper measure. Therefore, to be clear and accurate when you are describing a paper’s weight, you must always identify the paper you are describing by calling it "x" lb. text, "x" lb. cover, "x" lb. bond, "x" lb. writing or the same with any of the other basis size categories when "x" indicates the paper’s weight.

O.K., now to make life easy and understandable, we've done all the work for you. We have some paper weight charts and paper weight calculators, which will take the confusion out of this process. Please feel free to bookmark and pass on these paper weight calculations and paper weight calculators to friends. And, while you're on our site, check out the other great paper tools available.

If you're still confused about paper measurement, I have been in the paper industry for over 17 years and would be happy to answer any questions you might have on this or any other paper subject. Please feel free to contact me via email.