AA Enterprises · Buyer Tools
Fabric Weight per Metre (GLM) Calculator
Work out fabric weight per running metre and per 100 metres from GSM and width.
GLM (g/m) = GSM × width (cm) ÷ 100. Independent of finish; actual weight varies with moisture and selvedge.
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Get a quote Ask on WhatsAppGSM and GLM are not the same thing
GSM (grams per square metre) describes weight per unit area. GLM (grams per linear metre) describes the weight of one metre of fabric at its actual width. Mills quote GSM; buyers costing a roll need GLM.
The link between them is width: GLM = GSM × width in metres. Two fabrics with identical GSM will have very different GLM if one is 44 inches and the other 60 inches wide.
Why width matters more than people expect
Fabric is priced per kilogram but consumed per metre. If you compare two suppliers on GSM alone and their widths differ, you are not comparing like with like.
| Fabric | GSM | Width | GLM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voile | 80 | 44 in (1.12 m) | 90 g/m |
| Poplin shirting | 120 | 58 in (1.47 m) | 176 g/m |
| Cotton sheeting | 140 | 108 in (2.74 m) | 384 g/m |
| Single jersey | 180 | 66 in open (1.68 m) | 302 g/m |
| Denim | 340 | 58 in (1.47 m) | 500 g/m |
| Canvas | 420 | 60 in (1.52 m) | 638 g/m |
Worked example
You are costing a 150 GSM poplin at 58 inch width. 58 inches is 1.473 metres, so GLM = 150 × 1.473 = 221 grams per linear metre.
A 100 metre roll therefore weighs 22.1 kg. At a yarn-to-fabric price of Rs 260 per kg, that roll carries roughly Rs 5,746 of fabric cost, or Rs 57 per metre before making-up.
A note on knitted fabric
Knitted fabric is often quoted in open width or tubular width. If it is tubular, the effective flat width is double the tube width, and your GLM calculation must use the doubled figure or you will under-estimate roll weight by half.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert GSM to GLM?
Multiply GSM by the fabric width in metres. A 150 GSM fabric at 1.5 m wide is 225 grams per linear metre.
What is GLM in textiles?
GLM is grams per linear metre — the weight of one metre of fabric at its actual width. It is what you need to work out roll weight and cost per metre.
How do I find roll weight from GSM?
Calculate GLM first, then multiply by roll length in metres and divide by 1,000 for kilograms. A 100 m roll at 225 GLM weighs 22.5 kg.
Does GSM change after washing?
Usually yes. Fabric relaxes and shrinks, so finished GSM is typically higher than greige GSM. Always specify whether a GSM figure is greige or finished.
Can you supply fabric to a target GSM?
Yes. Give us the construction, width and target GSM and we will match it, greige or finished, and confirm the tolerance on every lot.