Fabric weight is given as GSM (grams per square meter) or ounces per square yard. It tells you how heavy and substantial a fabric is.
GSM = W ÷ A
What the terms mean
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| GSM | Weight, grams per square meter |
| W | Fabric weight, in grams |
| A | Fabric area, in square meters |
Worked example
A swatch 0.25 m² weighing 50 g is 50 ÷ 0.25 = 200 GSM, a typical quilting cotton.
GSM to oz/yd². Multiply GSM by 0.0295 to get ounces per square yard. So 200 GSM is about 5.9 oz/yd².
See the Fabric Weight Calculator and the Fabric Weight Chart.