What paper weight means
Paper weight describes how heavy a sheet is for a given size, and it is the quickest clue to how thick and sturdy a page will feel. Heavier paper is generally thicker and more opaque, but weight alone does not tell you everything. Fibre type, coating and finish also change thickness, feel and how well ink performs.
GSM versus pounds
Two systems are common:
- GSM (grams per square meter) is a direct measurement and is used in most of the world. A sheet of 100 gsm paper weighs 100 grams for each square meter.
- Pounds (lb) is a US system based on the weight of a ream (500 sheets) at a certain uncut size, which is different for different paper categories.
Because the pound system depends on category, the same pound number can mean different actual weights. GSM is simpler for comparing papers across types.
Why 20 lb is not always 20 lb: bond, text and cover
In the US, paper is grouped into categories with different base sizes:
- Bond (office and writing paper) is commonly sold in 20 lb and 24 lb.
- Text (often used for books and brochures) is commonly sold in weights such as 60 lb, 70 lb or 80 lb.
- Cover (card for covers) is lighter or heavier by points or pounds, such as 65 lb or 80 lb cover. Printers also describe cover stocks by thickness in points (pt).
Approximate equivalents that are widely quoted:
| Common name | Approximate GSM |
|---|---|
| 20 lb bond | 75 gsm |
| 24 lb bond | 90 gsm |
| 32 lb bond | 120 gsm |
| 60 lb text | 90 gsm |
| 70 lb text | 105 gsm |
| 80 lb text | 120 gsm |
| 65 lb cover | 175 gsm |
These are rounded figures; individual mills and printers may list slightly different values, so check the product page or ask your printer.
Choosing weight for books
Printers’ guides group paper stocks roughly as follows:
- Lighter text weights (around 50-60 lb text, or roughly 70-90 gsm) are common for novels and text-heavy paperbacks. They keep books slim and affordable.
- Medium weights (around 70-80 lb text, or roughly 100-120 gsm) feel sturdier and suit textbooks, workbooks and books with images.
- Heavier text feels premium and is often chosen for art or photography books, since it holds images better and shows less through the page.
- Covers for softcover books typically use heavier stock, for example 10 pt to 14 pt.
Your budget, page count and printing method all play a part. More pages on heavier paper makes a thicker, heavier, more expensive book. If you are producing a book, ask the printer for a paper sample, since a paper’s look and feel vary between finishes and brands.
Choosing weight for notebooks and journals
For handwriting, sheet weight matters mainly for feel and show-through. Basic school notebooks often use light office-type paper. Notebooks marketed for pens, bullet journaling or art often use heavier or specially finished paper that resists bleed-through. That said, some very thin papers are popular with fountain pen users because of how they handle ink. Our guide to paper for fountain pens shows why weight is not the whole story, and the watercolor and ink paper article covers much heavier sheets.
Quick answers
Which is thicker, 20 lb or 24 lb paper? Within the bond category, 24 lb is heavier and generally a little thicker than 20 lb.
Is 32 lb paper like cardstock? Not quite. 32 lb bond is a heavier office paper, roughly 120 gsm, while cardstock is usually heavier still and noticeably stiffer. Labeling varies, so check the gsm.
What is 70 lb paper used for? It depends on the category. 70 lb text is a common medium weight for books, brochures and inner pages. Other categories use the same number for different weights.
Is 2 pounds heavy for a book? That is the weight of the finished book rather than the paper. Many paperbacks weigh well under that, so a two-pound book is on the heavy side for casual reading, though it would be unremarkable for a large hardcover or textbook.
Weight, thickness and opacity are different
Two papers of the same weight can differ in thickness depending on how they are made. Opacity, which is how much shows through, depends on fibre, filler and coating, so a heavier sheet is not guaranteed to hide ink on the other side. When it matters, test with the pens you use.