Cardstock Thickness Guide: 65lb, 80lb, 100lb, 110lb Explained

If you have ever tried to order cardstock in the United States, you have seen numbers like 65lb, 80lb, 100lb, and 110lb. These numbers do not mean what most people think. They refer to the weight of 500 sheets (a ream) of a specific base size — not the actual weight of the card you are buying. This guide explains what these numbers really mean and how to convert them to GSM.

What "lb" Actually Means

The "lb" in cardstock refers to pounds per ream — the weight of 500 sheets of a defined base size. The problem: different paper types use different base sizes.

Paper type	Base size (inches)	Sheets per ream
Bond	17 × 22	500
Text	25 × 38	500
Cover / Cardstock	20 × 26	500
Index	25.5 × 30.5	500
Bristol	22.5 × 28.5	500
Tag	24 × 36	500

This means 80lb cover is much heavier than 80lb text — because the cover base size is smaller.

The Four Common Cardstock Weights

US weight	Type	Approx. GSM	Thickness (µm)
65 lb	Cover	175 gsm	~190 µm
80 lb	Cover	216 gsm	~230 µm
100 lb	Cover	270 gsm	~290 µm
110 lb	Cover	300 gsm	~320 µm

All four are cover weight cardstock, the type used for business cards, postcards, and covers.

## Cardstock vs Text vs Cover

The three families of paper in the US system:

Family	Typical weights	Use
Text	50–100 lb	Brochures, book interiors
Cover / Cardstock	60–130 lb	Cards, covers, packaging
Index	90–140 lb	Cards, tags, notebooks
Bristol	67–120 lb	Postcards, file cards

When someone says "80lb cardstock" they usually mean 80lb cover, not 80lb text. Always confirm which family the paper belongs to.

## Converting lb to GSM

The exact conversion depends on the base size. For cover-weight cardstock, the rule of thumb is:

US cover lb	Approx. GSM
65 lb	175 gsm
80 lb	216 gsm
90 lb	250 gsm
100 lb	270 gsm
110 lb	300 gsm
120 lb	325 gsm
130 lb	350 gsm

For text-weight paper:

US text lb	Approx. GSM
50 lb	75 gsm
60 lb	90 gsm
70 lb	105 gsm
80 lb	120 gsm
100 lb	150 gsm

## What Each Weight Is Best For

Weight	Best for	Notes
65 lb cover	Flyers, cheap postcards, lightweight cards	Folds easily, feels thin
80 lb cover	Business cards, greeting cards, flyers	Most common cardstock
100 lb cover	Premium business cards, postcards, invitations	Feels substantial
110 lb cover	Luxury cards, packaging, covers	Very stiff, premium feel
130 lb cover	Heavy packaging, tags, folders	May jam home printers

## Printer Compatibility

Weight	Home inkjet	Home laser	Office laser	Pro press
65 lb cover	✔	✔	✔	✔
80 lb cover	✔	✔	✔	✔
100 lb cover	Some	✔	✔	✔
110 lb cover	Rarely	Some	Most	✔
130 lb cover	No	Rarely	Some	✔

Always check your printer's maximum GSM before ordering heavy stock.

## Thickness vs Weight

Two papers with the same GSM can have different thicknesses — density varies by finish and coating. Coated cardstock is thinner than uncoated at the same GSM; soft-touch laminate adds thickness without much weight.

Paper	GSM	Thickness
Coated gloss cardstock	270	~270 µm
Uncoated cardstock	270	~310 µm
Soft-touch laminated	270 + film	~340 µm

## Caliper and Points

In the US, printers also use points (pt) to describe thickness. 1 pt = 1/1000 inch. Common cardstock is 10–16 pt.

Points	Inches	Approx. GSM
8 pt	0.008 in	~180 gsm
10 pt	0.010 in	~216 gsm (80 lb cover)
12 pt	0.012 in	~270 gsm (100 lb cover)
14 pt	0.014 in	~300 gsm (110 lb cover)
16 pt	0.016 in	~350 gsm (130 lb cover)

## Choosing by Project

Project	Recommended
Everyday business card	80 lb cover / 216 gsm / 10 pt
Premium business card	100–110 lb cover / 270–300 gsm / 12–14 pt
Luxury business card	110–130 lb cover / 300–350 gsm / 14–16 pt
Greeting card	80–100 lb cover / 216–270 gsm
Postcard	80–100 lb cover / 216–270 gsm
Invitation	100–130 lb cover / 270–350 gsm
Poster (rigid)	100–130 lb cover / 270–350 gsm
Tag	100–130 lb cover / 270–350 gsm
Folder	100–130 lb cover / 270–350 gsm
Packaging box	110–130 lb cover / 300–350 gsm
Light flyer	65 lb cover / 175 gsm

## Coated vs Uncoated Cardstock

Finish	Feel	Best for
Coated gloss	Smooth, shiny	Photo cards, vivid graphics
Coated matte	Smooth, non-reflective	Business cards, elegant invites
Soft-touch	Velvety	Premium cards, boxes
Uncoated smooth	Natural, writable	Business cards, stationery
Uncoated textured	Linen, laid, felt	Invitations, luxury stationery
Recycled	Natural fibres	Eco brands, kraft-style cards

## Common Mistakes

• Confusing cover weight with text weight
• Assuming 80lb is the same everywhere
• Choosing by lb alone without checking GSM
• Ordering heavy stock for a printer that cannot handle it
• Forgetting to test before the full print run
• Ignoring the impact of coating on thickness
• Choosing too thin a stock for a premium project

## Frequently Asked Questions

What is 80lb cardstock in GSM?

Approximately 216 gsm — the standard weight for business cards and greeting cards.

What is 110lb cardstock in GSM?

Approximately 300 gsm — a heavy, premium cardstock.

Is 65lb cardstock good for business cards?

It is on the thin side. Use 80lb or above for business cards.

What is the difference between 80lb text and 80lb cover?

80lb text is about 120 gsm; 80lb cover is about 216 gsm. Cover is much heavier because the base size is smaller.

What is 100lb cardstock used for?

Premium business cards, postcards, invitations, folder covers.

Can my home printer print on 110lb cardstock?

Most cannot. Check the printer's maximum GSM; 110lb is 300 gsm.

What is 12pt cardstock?

12 points thick (0.012 inch), roughly 270 gsm — a 100lb cover equivalent.

What cardstock is best for business cards?

80lb to 110lb cover; 100lb to 110lb for a premium feel.

Is 65lb cardstock the same as 65lb cover?

Usually yes — but always confirm whether the weight refers to cover or text base.

What is the thickest cardstock I can print at home?

Most home printers handle up to 200–250 gsm; some go to 300 gsm in a special tray.

## Conclusion The lb system is confusing but easy to decode once you know the base sizes. 65lb, 80lb, 100lb, and 110lb cover cardstock correspond roughly to 175, 216, 270, and 300 gsm. Match the weight to the project, check the printer's maximum, and order a sample before the full run.