Paper Weight Guide: GSM, Pounds, and How to Read a Paper Weight Chart
Paper weight tells you how heavy, thick, and substantial a sheet feels before you ever hold it. This guide explains what paper weight means, converts US pound ratings to GSM by category, and shows which weights we use for custom notepads.
Two numbers describe almost every stock a printer quotes: a US basis weight in pounds (lb) and a metric GSM figure (grams per square meter). GSM measures the mass of one square meter of a single sheet, so it compares any two papers on the same scale. US basis weight measures the weight of a 500-sheet ream cut to that paper category's "basis size" — and that basis size changes depending on whether the paper is bond, text, or cover. That single detail is why a "20 lb bond" and a "50 lb text" can weigh almost exactly the same. The chart below sorts it out.
Paper weight conversion chart (lb to GSM, by category)
GSM is the only weight number that compares directly across paper types. The pound ratings below are grouped by their paper category because the same pound figure means a different GSM in each one. Conversions are calculated from each category's standard basis size, not a single multiplier.
| US Basis Weight (lb) | GSM | Feel / Thickness | Best Use | Captain Notepad Product |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bond / Writing (basis size 17×22 in) | ||||
| 20 lb bond | 75 gsm | Standard office copy paper; light and flexible. | Everyday printing, forms, high-page-count notepads. | Comparable to our lighter 50 lb text notepad sheets. |
| 24 lb bond | 90 gsm | Noticeably more substantial than copy paper. | Letterhead, resumes, writing pads. | Similar in hand to our 60 lb text stock. |
| 28 lb bond | 105 gsm | Firm, premium writing feel; minimal show-through. | Premium letterhead and stationery. | In the range of our 70 lb text stock. |
| Text / Book (basis size 25×38 in) | ||||
| 50 lb text | 74 gsm | Light, smooth writing sheet. | High-sheet-count notepads where thickness per pad matters. | Custom notepads (lighter builds). |
| 60 lb text | 89 gsm | Balanced weight; holds ink cleanly. | Our most common notepad sheet; supports full-bleed printing. | Custom notepads (standard). |
| 70 lb text | 104 gsm | Heavier, more opaque; resists bleed-through. | Premium notepads, technical and engineering sheets. | Engineering & graph paper. |
| 80 lb text | 118 gsm | Substantial sheet with a premium hand. | Premium-tier notepads and heavier stationery. | Premium-tier notepad stock. |
| 100 lb text | 148 gsm | Heavyweight text; near-brochure feel. | Brochures, flyers, high-end inserts. | Marketing collateral stock. |
| Cover / Cardstock (basis size 20×26 in) | ||||
| 65 lb cover | 176 gsm | Light cardstock; folds and scores cleanly. | Postcards, tent cards, light covers. | Card and cover applications. |
| 80 lb cover | 216 gsm | Standard business-card and postcard weight. | Business cards, postcards, presentation covers. | Card and cover applications. |
| 100 lb cover | 270 gsm | Rigid, heavy cardstock. | Premium business cards, hang tags, folders. | Heavy cover applications. |
| 18 pt (chipboard) | — | Measured by caliper (thickness), not basis weight; stiff, rigid board. | Notepad backers that keep the pad flat and writable off-desk. | The 18 pt chipboard backer on our notepads. |
Reading the chart: Find the GSM column first. It is the one figure that means the same thing across every paper type. A 50 lb text sheet (74 gsm) and a 20 lb bond sheet (75 gsm) are almost identical in weight even though the pound numbers look wildly different — because they are measured against different basis sizes.
Bond vs. text vs. cover: why the pound numbers don't line up
This is the single most common source of confusion in paper buying, and it is worth understanding before you pick a stock. US basis weight is the weight of 500 sheets of paper — but the sheets are cut to a "basis size" that is standardized per category, and those sizes are different.
The three basis sizes
Bond and writing paper is weighed at a 17×22-inch basis size. Text and book paper is weighed at a much larger 25×38-inch basis size. Cover stock is weighed at 20×26 inches. Because a ream of text-weight paper is cut into far larger sheets than a ream of bond, the same pound figure describes a very different sheet.
Why "20 lb bond" and "50 lb text" aren't a contradiction
Run both through their basis sizes and they land in almost the same place: 20 lb bond is about 75 gsm, and 50 lb text is about 74 gsm. They feel nearly identical in the hand. The pound numbers only look different because they are measured on different rulers. Once you convert both to GSM, the confusion disappears.
Practical takeaway for buyers: When you compare quotes or stocks across vendors, ask for the GSM. Comparing a "24 lb" from one printer to a "60 lb" from another tells you nothing until you know the category. GSM is the apples-to-apples number.
What paper weight are Captain Notepad notepads?
Captain Notepad is an American-made custom print products company in Denver, Colorado, in business since 2000. Our core notepad lines are printed in-house at our Denver facility, and our specialty catalogs are produced by trusted US manufacturing partners. Across both production paths, we standardize on a small set of proven text-weight stocks so the pad you order writes and prints the way you expect.
- 50 lb text (≈74 gsm): A lighter, smooth writing sheet. We use it where a high sheet count per pad matters and the notepad will live on a desk.
- 60 lb text (≈89 gsm): Our most common notepad stock. It balances a substantial feel with clean ink hold, and it is the lightest stock on which we support full-bleed printing (color that runs to the edge of the sheet).
- 70 lb text (≈104 gsm): A heavier, more opaque sheet that resists show-through. It is the stock behind our engineering and graph paper pads, where a firm technical surface matters.
- Premium heavier stock: Available on our Premium tier for buyers who want the heaviest, most substantial pad we offer.
- 18 pt chipboard backer: Every pad is backed with an 18 pt chipboard board. It is measured by caliper (thickness in points), not basis weight, and it keeps the pad rigid enough to write on a knee, a clipboard, or a job site — not just a desk.
For layouts that need a grid or a non-reproducing guide, we also print green-tint and non-repro (non-photo) blue options — see our non-photo blue grid pad. If you are weighing cost against stock, our guide to cheap custom notepads and our overview of custom notepads both reference this same paper weight chart so you can match budget to build.
Not sure which weight fits your notepad?
Our Denver team will help you match the right stock to your project, your budget, and your print method.
Browse custom notepads →Paper weight FAQ
What does GSM mean?
GSM stands for grams per square meter. It is the weight of one square meter of a single sheet of paper, and it is the one figure that lets you compare any two papers on the same scale regardless of category or country.
What is paper basis weight in pounds?
US basis weight is the weight, in pounds, of a 500-sheet ream of paper cut to that category's standard basis size. Because the basis size differs for bond, text, and cover stock, the same pound number describes a different sheet in each category.
What is the difference between bond, text, and cover paper?
They are three paper categories, each weighed at a different basis size: bond and writing at 17x22 inches, text and book at 25x38 inches, and cover at 20x26 inches. That is why a pound figure in one category does not match the same pound figure in another; converting to GSM removes the confusion.
Why do 20 lb bond and 50 lb text weigh almost the same?
Because they are measured against different basis sizes. Run both through their category math and 20 lb bond is about 75 gsm while 50 lb text is about 74 gsm, so they feel nearly identical in the hand despite the very different pound numbers.
How do I convert pounds to GSM?
You cannot use a single multiplier, because the conversion depends on the paper category's basis size. Use a per-category chart like the one above: for example, 60 lb text is about 89 gsm, 80 lb cover is about 216 gsm, and 24 lb bond is about 90 gsm.
What paper weight is best for notepads?
For most custom notepads, a 60 lb text sheet (about 89 gsm) is the balanced choice; it feels substantial, holds ink cleanly, and supports full-bleed printing. Lighter 50 lb text works when you want more sheets per pad, and 70 lb text suits technical or premium pads.
What weight are Captain Notepad notepads?
Our notepads use bright white text stocks in 50 lb, 60 lb, and 70 lb weights across most catalogs, with a heavier premium stock available on our Premium tier. Every pad is backed with an 18 pt chipboard board for rigidity.
Is a higher paper weight always better?
No. Heavier stock feels more premium and resists show-through, but it also means fewer sheets per pad at a given thickness and a higher cost. The right weight depends on whether you value sheet count, feel, print method, or budget most.
How thick is 70 lb text paper?
70 lb text converts to roughly 104 gsm, which is a heavier, more opaque writing sheet than standard copy paper. Exact caliper varies by paper finish and coating, but it is noticeably firmer and resists bleed-through better than lighter stocks.
What is chipboard and why do notepads use it?
Chipboard is a stiff, rigid board measured by caliper in points rather than by basis weight. We use an 18 pt chipboard backer on our notepads so the pad stays flat and writable on a knee, a clipboard, or a job site, not just on a desk.
What paper weight supports full-bleed printing on a notepad?
We support full-bleed printing, where color runs to the edge of the sheet, on 60 lb text stock and above. Lighter sheets are better suited to designs with a white margin around the printed area.
What is non-repro (non-photo) blue paper?
Non-repro or non-photo blue is a light blue that scanners and copiers do not pick up, so a printed grid or guide disappears when the sheet is copied. We offer green-tint and non-repro blue grid options, including our 8.5 x 11 non-photo blue grid pad.
Where are Captain Notepad notepads made?
Our core notepad lines are printed in-house at our Denver, Colorado facility, and our specialty catalogs are produced by trusted US manufacturing partners. Every project is designed, supported, and fulfilled by our Denver team.
Can I get a sample before ordering a custom notepad?
Sample availability and options are listed on the individual product pages and can be confirmed by our team. If you want to feel a specific stock weight before committing to a run, contact us and we will advise on what is available for your product.
Can your team help me choose the right paper weight?
Yes. Design assistance is included with your order, and our Denver team can recommend a stock based on your print method, sheet count, budget, and how the notepad will be used. Reach out before ordering and we will match the weight to the project.
