80 lb text paper
118 g/m²
80 lb text · basis size 25 × 38 in · Book pages, brochures, magazine interiors and flyers.
Where 118 gsm comes from
An American basis weight is the weight of 500 sheets at that grade's basis size. For text / book that size is 25 × 38 inches, so:
500 sheets × 25 × 38 in = 475,000 in² = 306.5 m²
80 lb = 36,287 g
36,287 g ÷ 306.5 m² = 118 g/m²The same number, a different paper
80 lb is not one weight. Because every grade is weighed at its own sheet size, the same pound figure describes papers that are nothing alike:
| Grade | Basis size | 80 lb is | vs text |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text / Book | 25 × 38 in | 118 gsm | — |
| Bond / Writing | 17 × 22 in | 301 gsm | 2.54× |
| Cover | 20 × 26 in | 216 gsm | 1.83× |
| Index | 25.5 × 30.5 in | 145 gsm | 1.22× |
| Tag | 24 × 36 in | 130 gsm | 1.10× |
| Bristol | 22.5 × 28.5 in | 175 gsm | 1.48× |
This is the reason to ask for gsm. One number, no grade, no ambiguity — 118 gsm is 118 gsm whoever is printing it.
Frequently asked questions
What is 80 lb text paper in gsm?
118 gsm. 80 lb means 500 sheets at the text / book basis size of 25 × 38 inches weigh 80 pounds.
Is 80 lb text the same as 80 lb bond?
No, and the difference is large. 80 lb text is 118 gsm; 80 lb bond is 301 gsm — 2.54 times as heavy. The pound number is the weight of 500 sheets at a size that differs by grade, so it cannot be compared across them.
What is 80 lb text used for?
Book pages, brochures, magazine interiors and flyers. At 118 gsm: board rather than paper, needing a press with a straight paper path.