PAPER CALCULATOR
Basis Weight/Metric Conversions
Convert basis weight (in pounds) for a ream of standard basis size papers to the metric equivalent (in grams per meter²) and vice-versa.

Our Basis Weight/Metric Calculator converts basis weight (in pounds) for a ream of standard basis size papers to the metric equivalent (in grams per meter²) and vice-versa. Simply select your paper type below, then enter either the basis weight or the metric value and click "Calculate" to convert.

Input Variables
Paper Type:
Basis Weight:   (in lbs.)
Metric:   (in g/m²)

More Information

Example

1) Find the metric equivalent for a ream of 80 lb Cover paper at the basis size of 20" x 26".
2) Find the Basis Weight for Book paper with a metric measurement of 89 g/m²

Formula:

Converting from Basis Weight to Metric

(Basis Weight) × 4882.428
(Basis Area)

Converting from Metric to Basis Weight

(Metric g/m²) × (Basis Area)
4882.428
Equations:

Example 1: 80 lb Cover to Metric:

80 × 4882.428 = 216 g/m²
1,806    

Example 2: 89 g/m² Book to Basis Weight:

89 × 3,299 = 60 lb
4882.428    
Basis Sizes and Areas
Paper Type Basis Size Basis Area¹
Book / Offset25" x 38"3,299 ft²
Cover20" x 26"1,806 ft²
Bond17" x 22"1,299 ft²
Tag / Newsprint24" x 36"3,000 ft²
Bristol22.5" x 28.5"2,227 ft²
Index25.5" x 30.5"2,701 ft²

¹Note: the Basis Area is the total square footage for a ream of paper cut to the Basis Size for the paper type.


Terms & Definitions

Ream:
500 sheets of paper cut to a given standard size for a particular grade.
Ream Weight:
The weight of 500 sheets of paper.
M-weight:
The weight of 1,000 sheets of paper (or two reams).
Basis Weight:
The weight of a ream, measured in pounds.
Basis Size:
The standard sheet size from which the basis weight of a given grade of paper is determined.