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Copy paper
Letter-size reams in 20 lb and 24 lb.
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Paper weight, explained
How can 65 lb cardstock be thicker than 80 lb text paper? Welcome to the wonderfully confusing world of US basis weight.
TL;DR
- US "lb" numbers only compare within the same category (bond, text or cover).
- gsm compares everything on one scale.
- Everyday copy paper: 20 lb bond ≈ 75 gsm.
What "lb" actually means
In the US, paper weight is the basis weight: how much 500 sheets (a ream) weigh at that paper type's standard "basis size." The catch is that different paper categories use different basis sizes. Bond paper is weighed at 17 × 22 inches, text paper at 25 × 38 inches and cover stock at 20 × 26 inches. So the same physical sheet can be "24 lb bond" and "60 lb text" at the same time.
What gsm means
gsm (grams per square meter) is the metric measure used almost everywhere else. It's the weight of one square meter of paper, so it lets you compare any two papers directly. Many US listings show both, which is handy.
Conversion cheat sheet
| US weight | ≈ gsm | Feels like / used for |
|---|---|---|
| 20 lb bond | 75 | Standard copy paper |
| 24 lb bond / 60 lb text | 90 | Nicer printing, double-sided docs, many journals |
| 28 lb bond / 70 lb text | 105 | Resumes, presentations, fountain-pen friendly notebooks |
| 32 lb bond / 80 lb text | 120 | Premium letterhead, heavier journal pages |
| 65 lb cover | 176 | Light cardstock, flyers, planner covers |
| 80 lb cover | 216 | Postcards, invitations, sturdy crafts |
| 110 lb cover | ~300 | Heavy cardstock, business cards, greeting cards |
| 140 lb watercolor | 300 | Standard watercolor paper |
Conversions are rounded; mills vary slightly.
Which weight should you buy?
Home and office printing
20 lb is fine for drafts and everyday printing. Bump to 24 lb for anything double-sided or client-facing, and 28–32 lb for resumes. Check your printer's manual before feeding it cardstock.
Gel pens, markers and fountain pens
Heavier paper (around 90–120 gsm) shows less ghosting and bleed-through, but smoothness and coating matter just as much as weight. A well-sized 90 gsm page can beat a rough 120 gsm one.
Cards and crafts
For DIY greeting cards that stand up, go 80 lb cover or heavier. For die-cutting and scrapbooking, 65–80 lb cover is the sweet spot.
US paper sizes
| Name | Inches | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| Letter | 8.5 × 11 | Printing, school, most binders |
| Legal | 8.5 × 14 | Contracts, legal pads, some forms |
| Tabloid / Ledger | 11 × 17 | Spreadsheets, posters, newsletters |
| Half Letter / Statement | 5.5 × 8.5 | Planners, booklets, notepads |
Journals often use the international A5 size (about 5.8 × 8.3 inches), which is close to Half Letter but not identical, so planner inserts aren't always interchangeable.
Shop by weight
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Dotted journals
Many list their gsm; look for 100+ if you use markers.
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140 lb watercolor pads
Heavy paper that handles washes.
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