Calculate the weight, GSM, and cost of films, foils, and sheets based on thickness in microns.
Material Specifications
LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)
HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)
PP (Polypropylene)
PET (Polyester)
Polycarbonate
PVC (Rigid)
Nylon 6
Aluminum
Steel
Custom Density
Select a common material or choose 'Custom' to enter specific gravity.
Specific gravity of the material.
Please enter a valid positive density.
1 micron = 0.001 mm. Typical plastic bags are 20-100 microns.
Please enter a valid positive thickness.
Total length of the roll or sheet.
Please enter a valid positive length.
Width of the roll or sheet.
Please enter a valid positive width.
Enter price per kilogram to estimate total cost.
Total Weight
46.00
Kilograms (kg)
GSM (Grammage)46.00 g/m²
Total Area1000.00 m²
Weight in Lbs101.41 lbs
Estimated Cost115.00
Formula Used: Weight (kg) = (Thickness (µm) × Density (g/cm³) × Area (m²)) / 1000
Weight Breakdown
Metric
Value
Unit
Weight Sensitivity Analysis (Thickness Variation)
This chart shows how the total weight changes if the thickness varies by ±10% and ±20%.
What is a Micron Weight Calculator?
A micron weight calculator is an essential tool for professionals in the packaging, printing, and manufacturing industries. It allows users to determine the theoretical weight of a material—such as plastic film, aluminum foil, or paper—based on its thickness (measured in microns), dimensions, and density.
Understanding the relationship between thickness and weight is critical for cost estimation, logistics planning, and quality control. Whether you are procuring raw materials or verifying the specifications of a delivered roll, a micron weight calculator ensures you have accurate data to make informed financial and operational decisions.
Micron Weight Calculator Formula and Explanation
The calculation relies on the fundamental physics of volume and density. The core metric often used in the industry is GSM (Grams per Square Meter), which connects thickness directly to weight per area.
Core Formula:
GSM (g/m²) = Thickness (µm) × Density (g/cm³)
Once the GSM is known, the total weight can be calculated by multiplying the GSM by the total area of the material.
A packaging company needs to order 5,000 meters of LDPE film. The film is 1.2 meters wide and has a thickness of 50 microns. The density of LDPE is approximately 0.92 g/cm³.
Step 2: Calculate Area. 5,000 m × 1.2 m = 6,000 m².
Step 3: Calculate Total Weight. (46 g/m² × 6,000 m²) / 1000 = 276 kg.
If the material costs $2.00 per kg, the total cost for this roll would be $552.00.
Example 2: Aluminum Foil
An industrial application requires an aluminum foil barrier. The foil is 12 microns thick, 1 meter wide, and the roll length is 10,000 meters. Aluminum density is 2.70 g/cm³.
Step 2: Calculate Area. 10,000 m × 1 m = 10,000 m².
Step 3: Calculate Total Weight. (32.4 × 10,000) / 1000 = 324 kg.
How to Use This Micron Weight Calculator
Select Material: Choose your material from the dropdown list (e.g., LDPE, PET, Aluminum). This will automatically fill in the standard density. If your material is unique, select "Custom" and enter the specific gravity manually.
Enter Thickness: Input the thickness in microns. Ensure this value is accurate as it directly impacts the weight.
Input Dimensions: Enter the length and width of the roll or sheet in meters.
Add Cost (Optional): If you know the price per kilogram, enter it to get a total cost estimate.
Analyze Results: Review the Total Weight, GSM, and Cost. Use the "Copy Results" button to save the data for your records.
Key Factors That Affect Micron Weight Results
When using a micron weight calculator for financial or logistical planning, consider these factors that can influence the final accuracy:
Density Variations: Even within the same material class (e.g., Polyethylene), density can vary slightly depending on additives, colorants, or the manufacturing process. A 0.01 difference in density affects the final weight by roughly 1%.
Gauge Control (Thickness Tolerance): Manufacturing processes have tolerances. A film specified as 50 microns might actually average 52 microns, increasing the total weight and cost by 4%.
Core Weight: This calculator determines the net weight of the material. Remember to account for the weight of the cardboard or plastic core when calculating gross shipping weight.
Additives and Coatings: If the material has a coating (like PVDC on PET), the composite density will differ from the base material density.
Scrap and Yield: In production, not all material is usable. Financial calculations should factor in a scrap rate (often 3-5%) when estimating required purchase weights.
Moisture Content: Hygroscopic materials like Nylon or Paper can absorb moisture from the air, slightly increasing the actual weight compared to the theoretical dry weight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the difference between GSM and Micron?
Micron is a measure of thickness (distance), while GSM is a measure of weight per area. They are related by the material's density. Two films can have the same thickness (microns) but different GSM if their densities differ.
2. How do I convert microns to mm?
Divide the micron value by 1000. For example, 50 microns = 0.05 mm.
3. Can I calculate the length if I know the weight?
Yes. This is often called a "yield" calculation. You can rearrange the formula: Length = (Total Weight × 1000) / (Width × Thickness × Density).
4. Why is my actual roll weight different from the calculated weight?
Discrepancies often arise from variations in actual average thickness versus nominal thickness, density differences due to additives, or the weight of the core being included in your scale reading.
5. Does this calculator work for paper?
Yes, but paper density varies significantly (0.7 to 1.2 g/cm³). It is often better to calculate paper based on its specified GSM rather than thickness, as paper thickness can change with pressure.
6. What is the density of standard plastic film?
Standard LDPE is ~0.92 g/cm³, HDPE is ~0.95 g/cm³, and PP is ~0.90 g/cm³. These are the most common packaging films.
7. How does temperature affect the calculation?
Temperature affects volume (expansion), but mass remains constant. For standard industrial weight calculations, temperature effects are negligible unless extreme.
8. Is this calculator useful for rigid sheets?
Absolutely. The physics are identical whether the material is a flexible film or a rigid sheet of steel or plastic. Just ensure your thickness input is in microns (e.g., 1mm sheet = 1000 microns).
Related Tools and Internal Resources
Explore our other financial and industrial calculators to optimize your operations:
GSM Calculator – Calculate Grams per Square Meter directly from weight and area.
Roll Length Calculator – Determine how much material is left on a roll based on diameter.