# Linerboard lb per 1000 sq ft to GSM Conversion Chart

> Source: https://netray.co/tools/paper-basis-weight-lb-per-msf-to-gsm-reference
> Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems.
> Section: Free Tools

## Short answer

Look up the gsm equivalent of common linerboard and medium weights quoted in lb per MSF.

## Category

industry-templates

## Industry

Packaging and Printing

## Audience

- Packaging buyer
- Corrugated plant planner
- Packaging engineer

## Tool

**Kind:** worksheet

**Mode:** reference

**Columns:**

#### Weight (lb per 1000 sq ft)

**Key:** lb_msf

**Type:** text

#### Approx. GSM (g/m2)

**Key:** gsm

**Type:** text

#### Common use

**Key:** common_use

**Type:** text

**Rows:**

**Lb msf:** 23

**Gsm:** 112

**Common use:** Light medium (lightweight board)

**Lb msf:** 26

**Gsm:** 127

**Common use:** Standard corrugating medium

**Lb msf:** 30

**Gsm:** 146

**Common use:** Heavier medium, light liner

**Lb msf:** 33

**Gsm:** 161

**Common use:** Lightweight liner, inside liner

**Lb msf:** 35

**Gsm:** 171

**Common use:** Light liner

**Lb msf:** 38

**Gsm:** 186

**Common use:** Standard liner, 200# board

**Lb msf:** 40

**Gsm:** 195

**Common use:** Liner

**Lb msf:** 42

**Gsm:** 205

**Common use:** Standard liner, 275# board

**Lb msf:** 56

**Gsm:** 273

**Common use:** Heavy liner

**Lb msf:** 69

**Gsm:** 337

**Common use:** Heavy duty kraft liner

**Lb msf:** 90

**Gsm:** 439

**Common use:** Very heavy liner or chipboard

**Lb msf:** 126

**Gsm:** 615

**Common use:** Specialty heavy sheet

**Notes:** Conversion factor: 1 lb per 1000 sq ft = 4.8824 g/m2. Rounded to whole gsm. Mill grade names and tolerances differ, so use the mill's own certificate for ordering.

## Content

**Intro:** North American mills quote linerboard and medium in pounds per 1000 square feet, while much of the rest of the world uses grams per square metre. This chart converts the common corrugated weights in both directions.

**Sections:**

#### How to use the chart

**Body:** Find your weight in lb per MSF and read the gsm value across, or search by use such as medium or kraft liner. To convert any weight not listed, multiply lb per 1000 sq ft by 4.8824 to get gsm, or divide gsm by 4.8824 to get lb per MSF. Export the table to Excel and keep it with your supplier specs so multi-country buyers speak the same units.

**Bullets:**

- gsm = lb per MSF x 4.8824
- lb per MSF = gsm / 4.8824
- Round to whole gsm for specs
- Keep both units in the item master

#### Why the basis weight matters

**Body:** Liner and medium weight drive board price, board weight and compression strength. A 42 lb liner has about 21 percent more fibre than a 35 lb liner per square foot, which typically means higher burst and crush performance and higher cost per square metre. When comparing quotes from different regions, convert everything to one unit before comparing price per tonne or price per square metre.

#### Worked example

**Body:** A 275# test single wall box is often built from 42 lb liners and a 26 lb medium. Converted, that is about 205 gsm liners and 127 gsm medium. With C flute take-up of about 1.43, the medium contributes roughly 127 x 1.43 = 182 gsm of paper in the board, so total board weight is about 205 + 205 + 182 = 592 gsm.

#### Common mistakes

**Body:** Mixing lb per MSF with lb per ream or with tonnes per kilometre. Forgetting that the medium is longer than the liner because of take-up. Comparing board quotes without converting units. Add both unit fields to your ERP item master so purchasing and costing never convert by hand.

**Cta:** Netray can help you keep paper grade, weight and unit of measure aligned between purchasing, costing and quality in your ERP.

**Faq:**

#### How do I convert lb per 1000 sq ft to gsm?

**Answer:** Multiply the weight in lb per 1000 square feet by 4.8824 to get grams per square metre. For example 42 lb per MSF times 4.8824 is about 205 gsm. Round to the nearest whole number for specifications.

#### Is MSF the same as lb per ream?

**Answer:** No. A ream basis weight depends on sheet size and sheet count, while MSF is pounds per 1000 square feet. Always check which basis a quote uses before converting.

#### What gsm is standard corrugating medium?

**Answer:** A 26 lb per MSF medium is about 127 gsm and is the common standard. Light mediums of 23 lb are around 112 gsm. Mills may offer other weights, so check the current grade list.

#### Do all mills round to the same gsm?

**Answer:** No. Mills nominate their own target weights and tolerances. A 42 lb liner may be sold as 200 or 205 gsm depending on the mill. Use the mill certificate, not the chart, for contract specs.

## Search terms

lb per msf to gsm, linerboard weight chart, 26 lb medium gsm, 42 lb liner gsm, corrugated paper weight conversion, basis weight 1000 sq ft to g/m2, kraft liner 69 lb gsm, paper weight conversion chart

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