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Textile Science

What is GSM in Fabric? The Complete Textile Guide

By Platform Administrator 1 min read

In the textile and garment manufacturing industry, GSM (Grams per Square Meter) is the universally accepted standard metric for quantifying fabric areal density and weight.

Why GSM Matters in Apparel Sourcing

Whether you are merchandising knitted garments or sourcing woven fabrics, GSM directly dictates the drape, opacity, perceived quality, hand feel, and raw material cost of the textile.

General GSM Weight Classifications

  • Very Lightweight (Under 130 GSM): Chiffon, voile, lightweight innerwear, fine lining fabrics.
  • Lightweight (130 - 170 GSM): Standard summer t-shirts, poplin shirts, fine dresses.
  • Medium Weight (170 - 240 GSM): Premium t-shirts, pique polo shirts, chinos, dress trousers.
  • Heavyweight (240 - 350 GSM): Hoodies, French Terry sweatshirts, denim, outerwear.
  • Very Heavyweight (Above 350 GSM): Winter jackets, canvas bags, heavy upholstery.

Associated Textile Tools

Utilize standard industry calculation tools directly relevant to this article:

Educational Standards Disclaimer: Fabric specifications such as GSM, width, composition and performance may vary depending on yarn, construction, finishing process, manufacturer and end use. Values shown are general industry reference information and should not be treated as a supplier specification.