17 October 2026
What GSM tells you about a fabric
Grams per square metre is the quickest way to compare fabrics. Here is how to read it, and what it does not tell you.
GSM stands for grams per square metre: the weight of one square metre of fabric. It is the simplest number for comparing how light or heavy a cloth is.
Lighter fabrics suit shirts, linings and summer clothing. Mid-weight fabrics cover most everyday garments and home textiles. Heavier fabrics are used for workwear, upholstery and bags.
But weight is not the whole story. Two fabrics with the same GSM can feel very different depending on the fibre, the yarn and the weave. A tight twill feels firmer than a loose plain weave of the same weight.
So use GSM to narrow down your choice, then ask for a sample. The hand of a fabric is something you have to feel.