Paper Weight Calculator
Calculate the weight of any paper by entering length, width, grammage (gsm), and sheet count. Get results in grams, kg, and lbs with interactive charts.
About This Calculator
Our Paper Weight Calculator helps you determine the exact weight of paper sheets based on their dimensions, grammage (gsm), and quantity. Whether you are shipping printed materials, planning a print run, designing packaging, or estimating postage costs, this tool provides accurate weight calculations in grams, kilograms, and pounds.
How Paper Weight Is Calculated
Paper weight is determined by the formula: Weight (g) = Area (m²) × Grammage (gsm) × Number of Sheets. The area is calculated by multiplying the length and width of the paper in meters. Since paper dimensions are commonly measured in centimeters or inches, the calculator converts them to meters automatically. For example, an A4 sheet (21.0 cm × 29.7 cm) has an area of 0.06237 m². At 80 gsm, each sheet weighs 0.06237 × 80 = 4.99 grams.
Regional Notes
India: Standard office paper is 75-80 gsm A4 size (210 × 297 mm). Paper is typically sold in reams of 500 sheets or packets of 100 sheets. Common brands include JK Copier and BILT.
United States: Paper is often measured by basis weight (pounds) rather than gsm. Standard copy paper is 20 lb bond, roughly equivalent to 75 gsm. The most common size is Letter (8.5 × 11 inches), and paper is sold in reams of 500 sheets.
United Kingdom: Like India, the UK uses A4 as the standard office paper size with 80 gsm being the most common grammage. Paper is sold in reams (500 sheets) and packets (100-250 sheets).
Common Paper Weights at a Glance
A single sheet of 80 gsm A4 paper weighs about 5 grams. A ream of 500 sheets weighs approximately 2.5 kg (5.5 lb). For Letter-size 20 lb bond paper, one sheet weighs about 5 grams as well, and a ream weighs roughly 2.3 kg (5 lb). These reference values help estimate shipping costs, storage requirements, and environmental impact of paper usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate paper weight?
Paper weight is calculated by multiplying the paper area (length x width in square meters) by the grammage (gsm or g/m²). For multiple sheets, multiply the per-sheet weight by the number of sheets. Formula: Total Weight (g) = (Length in cm / 100) x (Width in cm / 100) x GSM x Number of Sheets.
What does gsm mean in paper weight?
GSM stands for grams per square meter (g/m²). It measures the weight of one square meter of paper. Higher GSM means heavier and typically thicker paper. Standard office copy paper is usually 70-80 gsm, while business cards use 250-350 gsm cardstock.
How much does an A4 sheet of paper weigh?
An A4 sheet (210 x 297 mm) of 80 gsm paper weighs approximately 5 grams. The calculation is: 0.21m x 0.297m x 80 gsm = 4.99 g. A ream of 500 sheets of 80 gsm A4 paper weighs about 2.5 kg.
What is the difference between basis weight and grammage?
Grammage (gsm) measures the weight of one square meter of paper and is used worldwide. Basis weight is used in North America and measures the weight in pounds of a ream (500 sheets) of paper at a specific basic sheet size that varies by paper type (bond, text, cover, etc.).
How many sheets are in a ream of paper?
A standard ream of paper contains 500 sheets. In the US, paper is often sold in reams of 500 sheets. In Europe and Asia, paper is commonly packaged in reams of 500 sheets as well, though smaller packs of 100 or 250 sheets are also available for home use.
What is the typical weight of copy paper?
Standard copy paper is typically 75-80 gsm worldwide. In the US, this is often labeled as 20 lb bond paper. In India and the UK, 80 gsm A4 paper is the most common office standard. Photo paper ranges from 180-240 gsm, and cardstock from 250-350 gsm.
How do I convert paper weight from grams to pounds?
To convert grams to pounds, divide the weight in grams by 453.592. For example, 500 sheets of 80 gsm A4 paper weigh about 2,495 grams, which is approximately 5.5 pounds. Our calculator automatically shows results in both grams, kilograms, and pounds.
Can this calculator handle custom paper sizes?
Yes, the calculator supports any custom paper size. Simply enter the length and width in centimeters. You can measure standard sizes like A4, A3, Letter, and Legal, or enter bespoke dimensions for specialty paper, packaging, or craft projects.