Film Thickness from GSM and Density Calculator
Infer equivalent film thickness when basis weight and density are known. Use the result to check material data or estimate a missing nominal gauge.
Use a saved product specification (optional)
Enter your values
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Replace the example values with figures from your supplier sheet or measurements. Choose the unit beside each value. Results update as you type; fix any highlighted field before using the result.
GSM means grams per square metre. Net weight excludes the core and other packaging. MOQ means the minimum order quantity. An optional field can stay blank unless the result you need depends on it.
Prices keep the selected currency; changing its label does not convert an exchange rate. Save or export the result after checking your inputs.
Use actual supplier or measured GSM when available.
Help with film gsm
GSM is the weight of one square metre of material, in grams. Find it on the supplier specification; use the complete laminate value for layered film.
Typical density. Actual density varies by resin grade and formulation; use supplier or measured data when available.
Help with material density
Density is material mass per unit volume. A typical preset is suitable for an early estimate; use the supplier grade value for purchasing decisions.
Estimated film thickness
Estimated using typical PET / BOPET density of 1.39 g/cm³. Actual density varies by resin grade and formulation.
A single density is appropriate only for a homogeneous material or a known effective density.
Thickness (µm) = GSM ÷ density (g/cm³)
16.68 ÷ 1.39 = 12 µmSaved calculations stay in this browser. No account or cloud backup is created.
Save to a product project (optional)
Choose or create a saved product project ↗This is an illustrative example. Saved or transferred values must be checked against your job.
Calculated from your inputs. Confirm specifications with your supplier.
How sensitive is this result to your assumptions?
Vary one input and inspect estimated film thickness
All other entered inputs stay fixed. Ranges are your scenarios, not statistical confidence or supplier performance predictions. This uses the same validated calculator engine.
The formula, made clear.
Basis weight describes mass spread over an area. Density converts that mass to material volume, and dividing by area yields thickness. In the selected metric units, these conversion factors reduce to GSM divided by density. This method is appropriate for a homogeneous film or a structure with a justified effective density. It cannot reconstruct the individual layer thicknesses of an unknown laminate from total GSM alone.
How to use this calculator
- 01
Enter the complete basis weight represented by the material being modeled.
- 02
Use a verified density where available, or explicitly retain the selected typical-density estimate.
- 03
Compare the inferred thickness with the declared nominal thickness or use it in a preliminary estimate.
A calculation you can check
The example derives an equivalent monofilm gauge from supplier GSM and an editable material density.
- Film GSM
- 16.68 g/m²
- Material density
- 1.39 g/cm³
16.68 ÷ 1.39 = 12 µmCheck the displayed formula and units against your quotation. Use measured GSM, net weight and actual layout dimensions where available. Default densities are planning assumptions, not certified material properties. Calculated cost does not certify strength, compatibility or safe loading.
Method, units and material assumptions ↗