Cardstock Weight Converter: GSM to LB and LB to GSM
Cardstock weight labels are a mess. One brand says 80 lb, another says 216 gsm, and a third just says "heavy." Type any weight into this free cardstock weight converter and it will turn gsm to lb (and lb to gsm) for cover, text, bond, index and bristol weights, then tell you what that weight is actually good for in your Cricut or laser projects.
Light-medium cardstock
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Paper "pounds" are the weight of 500 sheets at a basis size that changes with the paper type. That's why the same sheet has a different lb number in each row.
Shop cardstock by weight
Once you know the weight you need, here's where it lives in my shop. My smooth cardstock is 67 lb (about 181 gsm), my mirror cardstock is 85 lb (about 230 gsm), and my shed-free glitter cardstock is 250 gsm (about 92 lb cover).
Cardstock weight conversion chart
Cover weight is what most people mean when they say "cardstock." Here are the common cover weights converted to gsm:
| Cover weight (lb) | GSM | Same as text weight | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 lb cover | 135 gsm | 91 lb text | Light layers, scrapbook mats |
| 60 lb cover | 162 gsm | 110 lb text | Light layers, paper flowers |
| 65 lb cover | 176 gsm | 119 lb text | Paper flowers, layered cards |
| 67 lb cover | 181 gsm | 122 lb text | Cards, layered SVGs, most Cricut projects (my smooth cardstock) |
| 80 lb cover | 216 gsm | 146 lb text | Card bases, sturdy layers |
| 85 lb cover | 230 gsm | 155 lb text | Specialty finishes (my mirror cardstock) |
| 92 lb cover | 249 gsm | 168 lb text | Cake toppers, signs (same as 250 gsm glitter) |
| 100 lb cover | 270 gsm | 183 lb text | Invitations, place cards, treat boxes |
| 110 lb cover | 297 gsm | 201 lb text | Gift boxes, sturdy signs |
| 120 lb cover | 324 gsm | 219 lb text | Packaging, luxury invitations |
| 130 lb cover | 352 gsm | 238 lb text | Heaviest a Cricut deep-point blade likes |
And the paper weights people mix up with cardstock:
| Paper | GSM | Same as cover weight |
|---|---|---|
| 20 lb bond (copy paper) | 75 gsm | 28 lb cover |
| 24 lb bond (premium printer paper) | 90 gsm | 33 lb cover |
| 32 lb bond | 120 gsm | 44 lb cover |
| 70 lb text | 104 gsm | 38 lb cover |
| 80 lb text | 118 gsm | 44 lb cover |
| 100 lb text | 148 gsm | 55 lb cover |
| 90 lb index | 163 gsm | 60 lb cover |
| 110 lb index | 199 gsm | 74 lb cover |
Want the long version, with the right weight for every project? Read my cardstock weight guide, or find a color with the cardstock color matcher.
Cardstock weight FAQ
How do I convert gsm to lb for cardstock?
Divide the gsm by 2.704 to get cover weight, which is the lb number cardstock uses. So 250 gsm is about 92 lb cover. To go from lb cover to gsm, multiply by 2.704.
How many gsm is 65 lb cardstock?
65 lb cover cardstock is about 176 gsm. 67 lb cover, the weight of my smooth cardstock, is about 181 gsm.
Is 80 lb text the same as 80 lb cardstock?
No. 80 lb text is about 118 gsm, while 80 lb cover (cardstock) is about 216 gsm. Same number, almost twice the weight, because each paper type is weighed at a different sheet size.
What gsm is 110 lb cardstock?
110 lb cover is about 297 gsm. Watch out for 110 lb index, which is only about 199 gsm and much thinner.
What is 250 gsm in lb?
250 gsm is about 92 lb cover or 169 lb text. That is the weight of my shed-free glitter cardstock.
Can I convert lb or gsm to points (pt)?
Not exactly. Points measure thickness (1 pt is 1/1000 of an inch), while lb and gsm measure weight. Two papers with the same gsm can be different thicknesses depending on how dense they are, so check the caliper spec if thickness matters.
Happy crafting, Ashlee