How many grams a fabric weighs

Short answer: Fabric weight is measured in grams per square metre. Underwear is usually one hundred and forty to one hundred and eighty, T-shirts one hundred and fifty to two hundred, and sweatshirts two hundred and fifty and up. The number tells you about thickness, not quality.

What grams per square metre means

Fabric weight is the weight of one square metre of fabric. It lets you compare two fabrics without holding them. A low number means a thin, light fabric, and a high number means a thicker, heavier one. It is a useful guide when you shop online, because you cannot feel the fabric before it arrives.

Underwear sits lowest

Underwear usually sits at one hundred and forty to one hundred and eighty grams. A thin knit at one hundred and forty grams is light and cool to wear, and it lies close to the body without showing under other clothes. That is what you want in a layer worn on the skin all day. See all women's clothing.

T-shirts sit in the middle

T-shirts usually sit at one hundred and fifty to two hundred grams. Around one hundred and eighty grams gives a fabric that is not see-through but still feels light. It is a good starting point for a T-shirt worn on its own, one that can handle a working day and the washing machine. See most popular for women.

Light colours need more weight

Below one hundred and fifty grams, a T-shirt easily turns see-through in light colours. White, beige and light grey show more of what is underneath than dark colours do. If you want to wear a light T-shirt on its own, choose a fabric at the heavier end. A dark colour carries a thinner fabric better.

Sweatshirts sit highest

Sweatshirts sit at two hundred and fifty grams and up. Above that, the fabric becomes warm and drapes heavily, hanging calmly instead of clinging to the body. That is what gives a sweatshirt its relaxed shape. The extra weight also lets it work as an outer layer on cool days. See bamboo sweatshirt for women.

Weight is not the same as quality

It is easy to think a heavy fabric is a better fabric. But weight tells you about thickness, not durability. A heavy fabric can be loosely knitted and lose its shape quickly, while a light one can be dense and last for years. Use weight to choose warmth and thickness, not to judge quality.

Density matters more

How long a fabric lasts depends more on how densely it is knitted. A dense knit at a low weight can outlast a loose one at a high weight. Hold the fabric up to the light and see how much shines through. The smoother and denser the surface, the better the fabric usually keeps its shape.

Choose weight by use

The right weight depends on what the garment is for. For layers on the skin and warm days, a light fabric is usually the most comfortable. For a T-shirt worn alone, the middle weight feels steady. For cool evenings and as an outer layer, a sweatshirt is the natural choice. Think about when you will wear it.

Frequently asked questions

What does grams per square metre mean

The weight of one square metre of fabric. The number tells you how thick and heavy the fabric feels, and it makes two fabrics easy to compare online.

What is a normal weight for a T-shirt

One hundred and fifty to two hundred grams. Below that the fabric easily turns see-through in light colours, so a light T-shirt does better at the heavier end.

Does a higher weight mean better quality

No. Weight tells you about thickness, not durability. A dense knit at a low weight can last longer than a loose knit at a high weight.