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Paper 101 - Paper Weight Guide

Paper weight basics.

Are you finding paper weights to be confusing? Why is 80 lb. "text" paper  lighter and thinner than 65 lb. "cover"?  Follow along as we explain how paper weight is calculated and what it means.

• Paper weight, also known as BASIS WEIGHT, is measured in LBS (pounds) and GSM (grams per square meter)
• GSM is a universal measurement and applies to all paper types, making it a better measurement of a paper's weight
• LBS alone does  not adequately convey the weight of paper
• The TYPE of paper is a key element when using LBS  because . . .
• Paper comes in many types or categories, each with a unique weight in LBS because of the way it is calculated. Let's explain further!

COMMON TYPES OF PAPER

Here are a few common paper types:

Bond, Book, Text, Index, Bristol, Laid, Wove, and Cover

• Each type of paper has a different "standard sheet" size. Here are a few examples of paper type standard sheet sizes:
• Paper weight is measured in pounds per 500 standard sheets  within its type 
• Each type of paper has it's own range of basis weights because  their standard sizes are different
• If 500 sheets of a paper's standard sheet size weighs 100 lbs., then the paper weight or basis weight of that type of paper will be 100 lb.
• So a larger standard size sheet of a lighter thinner text-weight paper can weigh more than a smaller standard size sheet of a thicker heavier cover-weight paper
• When standard size sheets are cut down to commonly used sizes, they are still referred to by their original basis weight calculation
• The heavier paper grade commonly referred to as "cardstock" is technically known as "cover"

PAPER THICKNESS or CALIPER

• The measurement of a paper's thickness is also known as it's "caliper" and is measured using a tool called a micrometer
• Caliper is expressed as a point size in thousandths of an inch
• One point equals 1/1000 of an inch and can be expressed as 1 pt. or .001
• Paper weight gives a good indication of the range of thickness of a paper type, however, thickness can vary due to the materials used in making the paper, and how much it is compressed or compacted together during the paper making process called "calendering"
• Calendering is the smoothing and compressing of paper which will determine how rough or smooth the paper will become 
• Two papers of the same weight can have different caliper measurements

PAPER WEIGHT CHART

Here is a chart to further illustrate:

PAPER WEIGHT EXAMPLES 

(refer to chart above)

Light Weight Paper

• Like pages of a book or regular copy paper
• Can be folded without scoring
• Very flexible and easy to manipulate
• Prints in most home printers

see additional note about printing below

Medium Weight Paper

• Like a standard greeting card
• Should be scored before folding
• Noticeably thicker than a light-weight paper

Heavy weight paper

• Like a heavy greeting card
• Often used for single panel cards and business cards
• Must be scored before folding
• May not print in some home printers

Extra-Heavy Weight Paper

• Extra heavy weights are similar to gift box weight or chipboard
• Can be DT (double-thick) meaning two sheets are pasted together
• Often used for packaging and letterpress
• Can only be printed by professional printers

Note: Printing is dependant on the printer meeting a paper's specific printing requirements. Not all paper can be printed on any printer. Visit our Printing 101 Page for information on printing.

For more information on Navigating Paper Weight, visit our Blog

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We hope this information helps to demystify paper weights.

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Paper Weight Guide: How to Choose the Right Weight

Why should paper weight be a crucial consideration in your branding materials? The answer lies in the unspoken power of touch—the first sense that reacts when a consumer engages with your printed content. The right paper weight can transform a simple brochure into a compelling tactile experience, endorsing professionalism without saying a word. It’s the silent ambassador of your brand, working in the background to ensure that the first physical interaction is both memorable and impactful.

Whether you’re piecing together a high-end portfolio, a corporate report, or promotional booklets, the paper weight you choose can either uplift or undermine the perceived value of your product. It’s not just a matter of aesthetics; it’s about how your material performs in the hands of your audience—does it flop or does it hold its ground? Does it fade away or does it stand out?

Now, let’s get down to business.

Through this paper weight guide, we’ll equip you with the knowledge to select the perfect paper weight, ensuring your printed project not only looks the part but feels it too. And as you prepare to bring your vision to print, remember that PrintingCenterUSA is ready to assist you with fast, easy, and reliable printing services, complete with a free file review to ensure your project starts off on the right foot.

Now, let’s get into it.

The Official Paper Weight Guide

When it comes to printing, paper isn’t just a medium; it’s the fabric of your communication. The right choice can elevate your message, while the wrong one can diminish its impact. This guide will help you navigate the nuanced world of paper weights to ensure your project resonates with its intended audience.

Writing and Office Papers (20-50 lb | 75-90 gsm)

• 20 lb (75 gsm) : Standard copy paper used for everyday printing and document reproduction. Perfect for internal memos and drafts where function trumps form.
• 24 lb (90 gsm) : Preferred for business correspondence, this weight offers a slight upgrade in texture and durability. Ideal for those impressive-looking reports or proposals.
• 28-32 lb (105-120 gsm) : This paper has a sturdier feel, suitable for professional documents like resumes and letterheads that require a touch of class and substance.

Text Papers (60-100 lb | 89-148 gsm)

• 60# Text (89 gsm) : A step above standard office papers, offering better opacity and a higher quality feel. Suitable for professional reports, book internals, and high-volume magazines.
• 70# Text (104 gsm) : With its superior thickness and opacity, this paper is perfect for high-quality full-color printing, ensuring minimal show-through. Ideal for company brochures and detailed catalogues.
• 80# Text (118 gsm) : Offering a substantial feel without the rigidity of cardstock, this weight is excellent for premium magazines and corporate booklets that command attention.
• 100# Text (148 gsm) : The go-to for luxurious prints, this heavyweight paper is best for high-end publications, art books, and quality flyers where image and touch are paramount.

Light Cardstocks (58-70 lb | 157-190 gsm)

• 58-60 lb (157-160 gsm) : A bridge between paper and cardstock, this weight supports double-sided printing without show-through and is commonly used for more substantial flyers or presentations.
• 70 lb (190 gsm) : The heft of this paper lends a premium feel to stationery and high-end worksheets. It’s also an excellent choice for print projects that require a more significant presence, such as deluxe company profiles or luxury program booklets.

Midweight Cardstocks (80-100 lb | 216 – 280 gsm)

• 80 lb (216 gsm) : A versatile cardstock that works well for the covers of booklets, catalogs, and high-quality business brochures. It provides a sturdy base for embossing and other special post-printing effects.
• 90 lb (243 gsm) : Ideal for top-end business cards that stand up to wear and tear, as well as for invitation cards. It’s thick enough to feel substantial but still flexible.
• 100 lb (270 gsm) : Thick and resilient, this weight is frequently used for premium magazine covers, company report covers, and sturdy promotional postcards.

Heavy Cardstocks (110-130 lb | 298-352 gsm)

• 110 lb (298 gsm) : This weight conveys a sense of luxury and is often used for heavyweight business cards, invitations, and announcement cards. It provides a substantial backdrop for vibrant colors and detailed graphics.
• 120 lb (325 gsm) : Thick and durable, this cardstock is excellent for creating book covers, heavyweight photo prints, and high-end, stand-alone displays.
• 130 lb (352 gsm) : The pinnacle of premium cardstock, suitable for the most luxurious business cards, package inserts, retail hang tags, and covers for exclusive documents.

Specialty Papers (140 lb and up | 378 gsm and more)

• 140 lb (378 gsm) and beyond : These papers enter the realm of board stock and are most commonly used for hardcover bookbinding, packaging solutions, and high-quality mounting boards. They offer unparalleled rigidity and weight, making them perfect for projects where maximum strength and protection are required.

Paper Weights Explained

Paper weight refers to the weight of a ream (500 sheets) of paper cut to a standard size. There are different measures of paper weight, including pounds (lb) and the metric grams per square meter (gsm). The “pound” measurement can be confusing because it doesn’t correspond directly to the actual weight of the paper, but rather the weight of the ream before it’s cut to size.

What Weight of Paper Should I Use?

The weight of paper you should use depends on the project at hand. Here’s a simple breakdown:

• 20-24 lb paper: Ideal for everyday use such as printing standard documents, reports, and forms.
• 28-32 lb paper: A step up in quality and feel, perfect for professional documents like business proposals where a little heft is appreciated.
• 40-100 lb paper: Commonly used for brochures, booklets, and flyers. Heavier paper weights within this range are excellent for covers or single-page handouts where durability and a premium feel are desired.

What is 32 lb Paper Used For?

32 lb paper strikes a balance between flexibility and the luxurious feel of thicker paper. It’s often used for professional presentations, high-quality reports, or resume printing where you want to make a good impression without the rigidity of cardstock.

Is 100 lb or 80 lb Paper Thicker?

100 lb paper is indeed thicker than 80 lb paper. The higher the weight, generally speaking, the thicker and sturdier the paper. 100 lb paper feels more substantial and is less transparent, making it ideal for high-end marketing materials and booklet covers.

Is 20 lb or 24 lb Paper Better?

“Better” is subjective and depends on the application. 24 lb paper is marginally thicker and more durable than 20 lb paper, which gives it a higher-quality feel. If you’re looking for something with a bit more professionalism for business correspondence or reports, 24 lb paper may be the better choice.

What is 40 lb Paper Used For?

40 lb paper is often utilized for projects that require a stiffer paper but not the full thickness of cardstock. This weight is typical for posters, lightweight booklets, and craft projects. It offers a good compromise between usability and substance.

Making the Right Choice for Your Project

Before choosing your paper weight, consider the following:

• Purpose and Use: Will it be handled frequently or mailed?
• Audience: Is it for a high-end clientele or more casual communication?
• Design: Will it include heavy ink coverage or imagery that might require a thicker paper to prevent show-through?
• Budget: Heavier papers often cost more, so balance quality with cost-effectiveness.

When you’re ready to print, whether you need a sturdy 100 lb cover for a luxurious catalog or a flexible 20 lb paper for your office needs, the decision is easier with a foundational understanding of paper weights.

Free Paper Sample Book!

Choosing the perfect paper has never been easier!

Our Paper Sample Swatch Book, included in a FREE sample pack, lets you fan through various paper weights and finishes with ease. Each grommeted book is your tactile guide to our extensive paper selection. Compare coatings and textures side by side and make confident choices. Order your free sample pack today at PrintingCenterUSA and feel the difference quality paper makes!

Remember, the right paper weight can elevate your project from ordinary to extraordinary. And for an unbeatable printing experience with guaranteed quality, visit PrintingCenterUSA . Don’t hesitate to utilize our free file review service to ensure your project prints perfectly on the paper weight of your choice. Get started today and make your print project a resounding success!

Jessica Sanchez

As the Creative Director at PrintingCenterUSA, I bring 28 years of experience in graphic design and printing industries to the table. Specializing in breathing life into imagery and writing, I create visuals that deeply resonate with audiences and stories that leave lasting impressions.  Driven by an unyielding curiosity and an artist's keen eye for detail, my work embodies an enticing blend of aesthetics and strategy, delivering high-quality visuals from a meticulously crafted creative process. With additional career spanning roles like Art Director, Master Layout Coordinator, Design Manager, Graphic Artist, Visionary, Owner/Artist and beyond, I've carved a vibrant niche in the industry. My mantra, "Dream, Design, Deliver," resonates with the rhythm of the cosmos, injecting energy into my creative process that transforms dreams into reality. Join me on this journey, as we create magic with designs that speak through thoughtful intention.

Ready to showcase your business? Got a story to tell? I would love to hear your story and your journey as an artist, business owner, or entrepreneur, and how print has brought your vision to life and impacted your audience.

Schedule a time with me today for a one on one interview, and let's turn your story into a headline! Book now and join the movement

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The Ultimate Paper Weight Guide

Knowing paper weight is essential for paper box packaging or print shop, as it will affect how your items are printed. But many people don’t know that there are so many types of paper weight to choose from. In fact, the options can be downright overwhelming. So how do you know which one is the right paper weight for you?

Unlike other materials, the paper has a wide range of weights or thicknesses that it can be made in. This is due to the fact that paper is made from plant fibers, which can be of varying thicknesses.

This guide will help you understand the basics of paper weights and how to find the perfect one for your needs. Whether you need a heavy-duty paper weight for paper box packaging or use the paper for book printing, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for all the information you need to make an informed decision about your next paper weight.

What Is a Paper Weight?

A paper weight is a unit of measurement that is used to determine the thickness of a sheet of paper. The standard unit of metric measurement for paper weight is the pound, which is abbreviated as “lb.” or sometimes “#”.” The heavier the paper, the more pounds it will weigh.

Basics of Paper

The thickness of the paper stock will determine the weight, which can range from 20 to 140 pounds.

So if you’re printing something that needs to be thick and sturdy, like a business card or a postcard, you’ll want to use card stock. Otherwise, the bond paper will probably suffice. Just keep in mind that NOT the heavier the paper, the more it will cost. which depends on the specific weight that you use.

GSM refers to the weight of one square meter of paper. Because of its lack of use in the US, GSM is typically only used internationally.

There are certain benefits to using GSM instead of points or pounds, such as its ease of use. For example, when talking about the GSM of paper, 100 grams is approximately 2.94 ounces, making it simpler to compare the weights of various types of paper.

Paper Types

Different types of paper are classified by weight, stock, and purpose.

Coated Stocks-gloss or matt art for brochures, magazines

Coated stocks are professional looking and add a clean look to any project. They are available in gloss and silk varieties.

Coated stocks can be used for pocket folders, packaging, displays, or postcards. The stocks help protect the printed piece from smudges, fingerprints, or other contaminants that could damage the final product’s look.

Coated stocks generally have a more vibrant color range than uncoated ones, providing a more eye-catching final product. When deciding which type of stock to use for a project, it is important to consider the needs of the finished product. Coated stocks are great for adding a professional touch to any project.

54 lb text wt = 80 gsm 61 lb text wt = 90 gsm 68 lb text wt = 100 gsm 82 lb text wt = 120 gsm 101 lb text wt = 150 gsm (equal to 157gsm in china) 122 lb text wt = 180 gsm 135 lb text wt = 200 gsm

Uncoated Stocks-wood free or offset for novels, school books

Uncoated stocks are a type of paper with no coating, such as glossy. They are available in a wide range of weights and finishes, making them suitable for various uses.

One advantage of uncoated papers is that they often provide a more natural look and feel, making them an excellent choice for printed materials such as booklets, brochures, and invitations.

Another advantage is that uncoated stocks are more difficult to smudge or fingerprint, which can be important for documents that will be handled frequently.

54 lb text wt = 80 gsm 68 lb text wt = 100 gsm 81 lb text wt = 120 gsm 95 lb text wt = 140 gsm 122 lb text wt = 180 gsm

Why Is Paper Weight Important?

Here’s a quick overview of why paper weight is essential:

Different Needs

Different paper weights may be more or less appropriate depending on what the final product will be used for. For example, if you are printing a cardstock box, you’ll want to use a heavier paper stock to feel substantial and look professional. Also, Surface finishing plays a big role in the final appearance of a printed piece, and some crafts are unsuitable for use with lighter paper stocks.

The Thick and Thin of it

A thick paper may appear to be a superior option, but it isn’t always the best option for your project. It’s more expensive, so you wouldn’t want to use it for your posters. You wouldn’t use the typical thin sort of paper for your booklet cover or paper boxes, either.

• Text Paper – Text paper is a thin paper used for everyday printing. It is available in different thicknesses. Normally we use them for book content printing.
• Cover Paper – Cover paper is a thicker paper than text and is used for things like book covers and postcards. Heavier cover stocks are also more durable, making them a good choice for items that will be handled frequently, such as business cards, perfect bound books, and hardcover binding books.
• Card Stock – Card stock is a thick paper used for business cards, postcards, Thank You cards, hang tags, and folding carton cardstock boxes . It is available in a variety of weights, but heavier weights are more durable and less likely to bend or crease.

Gloss or Matte Finish

Paper stocks are available in both gloss and matte finishes. Glossy stocks have a shiny finish that makes colors pop, but it can be difficult to read text printed on glossy paper. Matte stocks have a muted finish that is easier to read, but colors may not be as vibrant. 

If you need to print text that will be more luxurious, choose a matte stock. If you want to make colors stand out, choose a glossy stock, for example, children’s books.

Common Paper Weights and Their Uses

Though there are many types of papers available, here are some of the most commonly used and their typical uses. Paper weight conversion between lb, pt, and gsm for text paper, cover paper, and card stock.

1. Text paper (50 to 100 lbs)

Text paper, as the name implies, is used to print text. It’s commonly a higher quality variant of book paper and is mostly used in commercial printing businesses. Text paper may be utilized for internal memos, books, stationery, magazines, brochures, letterhead printing jobs, thesis papers, flyers, and other marketing materials.

50lb=75gsm 60lb=90gsm 70lb=105gsm 80lb=120gsm 100lb=150gsm (equal to 157gsm in china)

2. Cover paper (65 to 130 lbs)

Cover paper is a term used to describe paper that’s thick and rigid (although the paper thickness may vary considerably). We use this paper stock for book covers, postcards, business cards, and hang tags.

65lb Cover=175 gsm 80lb Cover=215 gsm 100lb Cover=270 gsm 130lb Cover=350 gsm

8 pt cover wt=195 gsm 9 pt cover wt=225 gsm (Use 230 gsm) 10 pt cover wt=234 gsm (Use 230 gsm) 12 pt cover wt=272 gsm (Use 300 gsm) 14 pt cover wt=306 gsm (Use 300 gsm) 16pt cover wt=340 gsm (Use 350 gsm) 18pt cover wt=358 gsm (Use 350 gsm) 20pt cover wt=420gsm (Use 400 gsm)

3. Card Stock (110 to 140 lbs)

Card stock is a highly durable and reasonably solid option. It’s used for paperboard boxes, postcards, and folders.

110lb=298gsm 130lb=350gsm 140lb=378gsm

14 pt=265gsm (Use 300gsm) 16 pt=296gsm (Use 300gsm) 18 pt=324 gsm (Use 350gsm) 20pt=345gsm (Use 350gsm) 22pt=379gsm (Use 400gsm) 24pt=407gsm (Use 400gsm) 26pt=435gsm (Use 450gsm)

4, Grey board for hardcover books or rigid gift boxes

60 pt= 1.4 mm = 1,000 gsm 65 pt=1.8 mm = 1,100 gsm 70 pt=2.0 mm = 1,200 gsm 80 pt=2.25 mm = 1,400 gsm 88 pt=2.5 mm = 1,600 gsm 92 pt=2.8 mm = 1,700 gsm 98 pt=3.0 mm = 1,800 gsm 140 pt=3.4 mm = 2,200 gsm

Paper Weight Chart

For your quick understanding of paper weight, here is a paper weight chart:

Paper Thickness Conversion Table

Tips on Using Paper Weight

Now that you understand the different types of paper weights available, here are some tips to help you choose the right one for your project.

• Choose the right type of paper for your printing and packaging project.
• Be aware that heavier weights will cost more.
• Consider the needs of the project when choosing a finish.
• Remember that U.S. basis weight may be different from those in other countries.
• The paper’s weight has an impact. Cutting, folding, and stitching get more difficult as the paper weight increases, so consider how you’ll use it. 
• Choose the right weight for your project to avoid waste.
• Be sure to test print on the chosen paper stock before printing a large job.
• Store paper in a cool, dry place to prevent warping or curling.
• Be sure to recycle any unused paper.

Paper Weight Guide – The Bottom Line 

Now that we know a little more about paper weight let’s put it together and see the bottom line.

The bottom line is that paper weight measures how much a paper weighs per square meter. The heavier the paper, the more it will weigh.

Different paper weights could be used in different projects. We need to make it clear before bulk printing or packaging orders.

And that’s really all there is to it! Understanding paper weights concept is not easy for some people, but it’s important to understand paper weight if you want to choose the right paper for your next print job.

Contact us if you have any other questions. We would like to help!

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PRINT DESIGN EDUCATION

How is paper weight measured how to choose the right paper weight for your project..

When it comes to your printing projects, it sometimes feels like it should be as easy as bringing in a file, giving it to the printer, and letting the process begin. But then you’re asked a question that might not be as simple: What paper weight should this be on?

Confused about how to choose the right paper? Don’t worry, because lots of people are when that question comes up. Our Thomas Group Printing team believes the best approach to helping our customers is to provide them with all the information they need to make the best decisions for their project. We’ll talk about why you need a different type of paper for your cover versus the inside text pages, and some of the common paper weights you might need.

So the next time you need a project printed and you see words like  “pounds” and “points,” you’re going to know what is being discussed, and you’ll be an active participant in the creation of your perfect print project.

What is paper weight? 

When it comes to paper, there are typically two ways stock is measured in the industry. That’s where the terms pounds and points come in, also sometimes seen as “#” or “lb” when referring to pounds, and a simple “pt” when referencing points.

An example of 100# Uncoated Cover paper, which was chosen by the client because of its slightly heavier feel and uncoated look.

When it comes to pounds, the term is actually exactly what you likely guessed: Pounds refers to how much paper weighs. The thicker the paper stock is, the higher the weight is going to be. These weights can be between 20 to 140 pounds, depending on the type of material the paper’s made from. A nice bond paper has weights between 20 and 80, while card stock, which is heavier, ranges between 50 and 140 pounds.

Paper weight doesn’t refer to the individual sheets of cut paper themselves. Instead, it is determined by how much a ream of uncut paper weighs. Typically 500 sheets of paper make up a ream, and that paper is weighed before being cut down to smaller sizes (such as letter or legal). That weight is what is used when identifying and categorizing the product.

Points measure thickness of the paper rather than the weight, which don’t always correspond directly to each other. Using points to determine paper thickness is a bit more scientific, even using instruments to measure the thickness down to each 1/1000th of an inch. The higher the points value, the thicker the paper, so a 10 point paper is 10/1000ths of an inch in thickness, while 16 point paper measures in at 16/1000ths of an inch. While that doesn’t seem like a lot when comparing numbers to numbers, it is actually quite noticeable in the final printed product.

Other measurements and terms

You may come across some other paper weights that are less common than points and pounds, and one of those that is becoming more frequently used in the industry is the GSM, which is an abbreviation for the grams per square meter of paper. Because this measurement uses the metric system, which is more widely used throughout other countries, it is typically used internationally.

Another term you may see is some papers referred to as “boards” or as having “board weight”. That just means above a certain weight of paper, as in cardboard, or the heavy board stock used for business cards and softcover books.

Basics of Paper

There are some essential categories of paper to think about, divided based on weight, stock and purpose. In each category, there are differences between cover stocks and text.

• Coated stocks — These include gloss coated and silk coated. The most common weights for gloss and silk coated covers are from 80 to 130 pounds, and from 80 to 100 pounds for texts. Uses might include pocket folders, packaging and display, or postcards.
• Uncoated stocks — There is a wide range of uncoated papers, from heavy and opaque to light and commodity-grade. Finishes might include laid finish, linen or felted. Weights range from 65 to 130 pounds for covers, and 40 to 100 pounds for texts. Uses include booklets, flyers, memo pads, books, brochures, and invitations.

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Choosing a Paper Weight

Now that you know how we measure and categorize paper weights, you’ll have a better idea of how to choose the right paper weight for your project. Individual opinions on the right paper weight for various types of materials do, of course, vary, and while we’re happy to offer our suggestions for what types of paper may work well for your printing needs, you also are welcome to stipulate your own choice of paper from our wide range of in-house options.

Thinking about paper weight early on in the printing process is worthwhile. While you’re deciding what size of paper, type, cut, and how many pages are needed, paper weight is another consideration.

If your project has a cover, two different paper weights are desirable to serve the different purposes of the cover and the inside pages. For example, in perfect-bound or saddle-stitched books, a heavy cover weight lends heft and substance, while a lighter paper is used for the printed text, for both affordability and readability — simply put, it’s easier to turn lighter pages. This holds true for other projects with these bindings too, like catalogs, booklets, and magazines.

Here are the most commonly available paper and card stocks and what they’re best used for:

Common text paper weights:.

• 50-pound text. This is the kind of paper you’ll find in novels, workbooks and most documents. It’s one of the lightest available, and is roughly equivalent to standard copy or computer paper.
• 70-pound text. The best example of 70-pound stock is a comic book, which often uses a gloss or matte paper of this weight. It’s also commonly used in large catalogs as a cheaper, lighter alternative.
• 80-pound text. The most common weight for magazines and smaller catalogs, along with booklets and sometimes the text pages of hardcover books.
• 100-pound text. This versatile weight can be either text or cover. It’s good for the text pages in children’s books, coffee-table or art books, or for comic book covers and brochures. It’s light enough for saddle-stitching and heavy enough to provide a cover quality.

Common Cover Paper Weights: 

• 10-point cover or 100# cover. One of the lightest cover stocks available, good for catalog covers or smaller perfect-bound projects like handbooks.
• 12-point cover or 110-pound. A more common cover stock for paperbacks, graphic novels, and other larger perfect-bound covers.
• 16-point cover or 130# cover. A heavy cover stock, suited to projects that will be handled a lot or require a heavier cover, like catalogs, trade paperbacks and oversize perfect-bound products.

Common Card Stock Weights: 

• 65-pound card stock. This is a light card stock, good for light business cards, postcards, greeting cards, posters and tickets.
• 80-pound card stock. The typical card stock, for business cards, postcards, folders, invitations, posters, table tents, and greeting cards.

More Tips on Using Paper Weight 

It’s always a good idea to think ahead when choosing a paper weight. If your project is being mass mailed, or marketed in large quantities, choosing a paper on the lighter end of what will work for you is smart, to cut down on weight-related mailing costs. On the other hand, a heavy, luxurious paper is ideal for short runs or custom-made, high-value printed products like invitations, where quality is a top priority.

Finishing and formatting can have an impact, too. Cutting, folding and stitching become progressively more difficult as paper weight increases, so think about how the paper will be used. Coatings can help add luxury or quality to lighter papers, or protect them against damage if that may be likely, such as postcards or catalogs. Finally, remember how a project will look to its user or customer. The heavier the paper, the more likely it is to be perceived as a high-quality product.

Still Unsure? Talk to a Printing Pro

Knowing your paper weights will help you create a higher quality, more durable and more impressive printed product in the end. However, each project is individual, and we’re here to help you with any questions you may still have.

If you have questions regarding paper weight, or what kind of paper would best suit your printing project, please  reach out to our experts  at Thomas Group Printing. We’re a fourth generation family owned printing company in NYC and we’re always happy to lend our experience to our clients. Not only will they help you determine which paper is the best fit for your product, but they will help you with any other questions you may have.

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Paper Weight Guide

Have you ever looked at a package of paper and wondered how to tell if it was the right thickness for your project? Understanding paper weight can be tricky, but it’s important when the quality of your project depends on a particular paper thickness. For example, postcards don’t look as nice on copy paper as they do on a nice heavyweight cardstock. But on the other hand, cardstock will not fold as easily if you’re planning to create a piece of origami art.  We’ve created a Paper Weight Guide to help you choose the right paper for all your projects!

Pounds vs GSM

The first step to understanding paper weight is to understand how it is measured. There are a few ways this can be done. One way is called U.S. basis weight, which is the most common measurement used in the United States and is expressed in pounds.

When you see a package of paper marked with a weight measured in pounds, that doesn’t mean the actual weight of the package if you were to weigh it on your bathroom scale. Rather, it refers to the weight of a 500-sheet stack of the paper at its original, uncut size (or “basic size”). Paper manufacturers measure the weight in its basic sheet size before cutting the paper into smaller pieces for consumer use.

Where this gets a bit tricky is, different paper grades (book, bond, cover, vellum, index, etc.) have different basic sheet sizes. For example: Cover Stock has a basis size of 20×26 inches, which at 500 sheets gives us 65 lbs. On the other hand, Vellum has a basis size of 22 ½ x 28 ½ inches, which at 500 sheets gives us 67 lbs. Although the weight in pounds is higher, it doesn’t mean the paper is thicker, because the basis size is not the same. Just a bit confusing, isn’t it?!

So if you’re trying to decide between two types of paper with the same basis weight and you want to choose the one that is heavier, check the GSM. This stands for “grams per square meter”, and means precisely what the name suggests. The paper weight is determined by one sheet of paper at a size of 1 meter by 1 meter. The weight of that sheet is then measured in grams. Because all different grades of paper are measured at the same size (1 square meter), it provides a more intuitive system of measurement. The higher the GSM value, the heavier the paper weight.

Our new and improved Paper Weight Guide includes both the basis weight and GSM, to make it even clearer what type of paper you are purchasing so that all your projects come out the way you want them to.

Best Uses for Different Paper Weights

Now that you have a better understanding of how paper weights are measured, here is a quick guide we created to help you determine the best paper weight for your projects.

20 lb. paper / 75 gsm

This is the standard weight of most copy paper, and the thinnest/lightest weight we offer. It’s perfect for everyday printing and copying on laser and inkjet printers for projects at home, school, or in the office. Because it is so thin, you may find it a bit too flimsy for things like wedding programs, brochures, or similar projects where you would want to make a statement with a heavier stock. However, it works perfectly for simple flyers or posters, and folds easily into a variety of craft projects such as origami.

Click here for our copy paper and here for our colored 20 lb. paper.

24 lb. paper / 89 gsm

This multipurpose paper is just a bit heavier than copy paper stock, and works for all the same applications. The color options we offer in this weight make it especially great for crafting bold and vibrant works of art. This paper also folds easily and can be used for origami projects, or it can be cut into strips and used to create intricate paper quilling designs.

Click here for our colored 24 lb. paper options.

28 lb. paper / 105 gsm

This paper is slightly thicker than 24 lb., making it popular for business letterhead, resumes, stationery, newsletters, and other professional pieces that require something a bit more substantial.  

67 lb. vellum / 147 gsm

Our standard cardstock can be considered a lightweight cardstock. It’s noticeably thicker than paper, but it’s not the heaviest of cardstocks. It runs smoothly through inkjet and laser printers, and can be used to create printed pieces such as invitations, posters, business cards, and more. We recommend lightly scoring the cardstock to create crisp folds if you want to make crafts such as boxes or folded greeting cards. The thickness of this cardstock makes it ideal for detailed cut shapes and designs created with desktop cutting machines or paper punches.

Click here for our white cardstock options.

Image: Lia Griffith

90 lb. index / 165 gsm

This lightweight cardstock is slightly heavier than 67 lb. vellum and slightly lighter than 65 lb. cover. It is sturdy, and it cuts, folds, and prints nicely. These attributes make it perfect for DIY event pieces such as invitations, RSVP cards, menus, and more.

Click here for our Boho Rainbow Cardstock.

65 lb. cover / 176 gsm

This weight is slightly heavier, but very similar to the 67 lb vellum. It works great for layered greeting cards or scrapbook pages, because it is another lightweight cardstock that is sturdy but won’t add too much extra thickness to the piece. We also offer a variety of colors to use in such layering projects, or to create vibrant decorations for classrooms or parties. It folds, prints, punches, and cuts easily for all sorts of crafting needs.

Click here for our colored cardstock options.

110 lb. index / 199 gsm

This cardstock weight is typically used for index cards due to its sturdiness. It is noticeably thicker, but can still be used for applications such as cutting, printing, and folding. This premium cardstock is great for when you want to make a statement with DIY event pieces such as programs, invitations, RSVP cards, menus, and more. It is also ideal for photo and frame mats, gift tags, pop up cards, and tons of other projects.

Click here for our matte coated cardstock.

Image: Something Turquoise

80 lb. cover / 216 gsm

This stock is perfect for heavier applications, and again, for any project where you want to make a statement, such as professional-looking business cards. It’s also an ideal weight for embossing, as well as cutting intricate designs with cutting machines. As with other cardstocks, but especially because this is much thicker, we suggest scoring the paper for a clean fold.

Image: Lark & Linen

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Understanding Paper Weight

Of all the materials that have been used through the ages, paper has become the most widely employed around the world. In fact, the United States alone uses about 70 million tons of it each year1! But could you differentiate between the countless types, thicknesses and weights of copier paper versus cardstock paper? Probably not.   Understanding paper weight is not common sense and may be a bit confusing. That’s why OKI has provided this resource for those who need a general guide on how to choose the right paper for their specific printing needs. Below you will learn about the most common methods used to understand paper weight, tools to help determine and distinguish between the various print media types and lastly, you will find a paper weight conversion chart that provides a clear comparison of common media weights.   Feel free to bookmark this page as a reference!

Specifying Paper Weights

Bristol Paper

Cover Paper

Index Paper

Offset Paper

Fortunately, there is a metric measurement that is nearly always displayed alongside the U.S. Basis Weight. The metric measurement (sometimes called grammage) is the actual weight of one sheet of media cut 1 x 1 meter square. Because the same size sheet is always being weighed, GSM (grams per square meter) provides a more uniform scale to judge a paper’s weight and thickness.   Finally, you can always measure the thickness of a sheet of paper using a caliper. Specialty media is often specified in Points or 1/1000 of an inch. Media that measures 0.012 inches thick would be marked as 12-point media.

Paper Weight Conversion Chart

Did you Know? The origins of "bond" paper:

The name for bond paper comes from it having originally been made for documents such as government bonds. It is now used for letterhead, other stationery and as paper for electronic printers.

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About Paper Weights

Learn about paper weights, please check out our new paper weight meters on every paper page.

Understanding paperweights can be difficult. Trust us, we know. So we here at Paperworks.com have designed this sheet to try and simplify the different terms you may hear in association with paperweight. The term paperweight, and number corresponding with each weight, refers to the thickness and sturdiness of the paper, not the actual weight of the sheet. We have recently provided paper weight meters on every page to help you pick the perfect paper weight.

Learn more about Paper Weights .

This is why, sometimes, the same "weight" paper may be referred to as two different things. For instance, regular everyday copy paper is most commonly referred to as a "20 lb. bond" but is other times referred to as a "50 lb. text weight." To eliminate as much confusion as possible, we have chosen GSM as our conversion reference point because it is a definite and universal measure of the paper. GSM stands for grams per square meter, which is the actual weight of the sheet.

Calculate lbs to gsm

Calculate gsm to lbs, in order from lightest weight to heaviest.

*Please remember that the greater the "lb" associated with a paper not always determines that it is a thicker sheet. Notice that the 67lb Vellum Bristol has a lower gsm than a 65lb cover because they are two different categories of cardstocks and are scaled differently.

We hope this clarifies the difference between paperweights, and gives you a better understanding of what will fit your application best! With any further questions, please feel free to contact our paper professionals at 888-631-9170 !

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Paper Weight Calculator

Table of contents

This paper weight calculator will help you determine the weight of a sheet of paper of any size, grammage, or basis weight . You can also use this calculator for paper weight conversion between grammage and basis weight and to find what the grammage of paper is.

In this calculator, you will learn about the measure of weight per unit area that is used to determine the weight of paper, as well as what the basis weight of paper is. We will also show you a paper weight chart that you can use as a paper weight guide for your prints. So, how do you calculate paper weight? Let's find out!

💡 Need to print a large-scale photo but not sure if your photo resolution will be enough? You can use our pixels to print size calculator to help you find out.

Paper weight chart: What is the grammage of paper?

Paper comes in a variety of sizes, colors, textures, thicknesses, and weights. In this paper weight calculator, we focus on the weight of paper sheets and how we calculate them. To keep it a standard among manufacturers and consumers, we use a certain unit of measure. This is called grammage .

Grammage is a paper's weight in terms of grams per square meter (g/m²) . This unit is also commonly abbreviated to gsm , and you can usually see this printed on the paper's packaging.

What does paper weight mean?

Not only does grammage define the weight of a sheet of paper, but it also tells us something about the stiffness of a paper sheet . The higher the grammage, the stiffer and the heavier the paper is. A good thing to note is that though grammage defines the paper sheet's weight, it doesn't necessarily describe its thickness.

🙋 You can check out our paper thickness calculator if you want to learn about paper thickness.

Typical office papers are usually around 75-120 gsm, while photo papers are generally around 180-240 gsm. Heavier papers or cardstocks of about 250-350 gsm are best for invitations, event programs, postcards, and business cards. However, the choice of grammage still depends on personal preference and creative choices. As a paper weight guide on choosing the suitable grammage for your prints and other usages, we have here a paper weight chart for your reference:

Basis weight of paper

Aside from the paper weight meaning that we've shown you so far, i.e., grammage, we also have the basis weight unit of measure as a reference in determining the weight of a paper sheet. Basis weight is the weight in pounds of a ream, or 500 sheets of paper, at particular basic sheet sizes , which vary depending on the stock type of paper being considered.

The different stock types are bond, text, tag, index, Bristol, and cover stock paper. The paper weight conversion table below shows their estimated common basis weights in pounds and equivalent weights in grammage. Additionally, in the first row, you can find their corresponding basic sheet sizes.

For example, from the table above, we can see a 20 lb bond stock paper , a 50 lb text stock paper , and a 75 gsm paper , when cut to the same size, will have approximately the same weight.

Now that we know what grammage and basis weight is, let us now learn how to calculate the paper weight.

How do you calculate paper weight?

Since grammage is a unit of weight per unit of area, we have to multiply the paper's area by its grammage to find the paper sheet's weight. And since the area of a rectangular paper sheet is simply the product of its length and width, we can then formulate the equation for the weight of a paper sheet as follows:

• weight \text{weight} weight — Weight of a paper sheet;
• L L L — Length of the sheet of paper;
• W W W — Width of the sheet of paper; and
• g g g — Paper grammage.

On the other hand, calculating the paper weight using the basis weight has quite similar procedures. We need to multiply the basis weight by the paper sheet area in question and divide it by the appropriate basic sheet area multiplied by 500. In equation form, we can express it as shown below:

• b b b — Basis weight; and
• A basic A_\text{basic} A basic ​ — Basic sheet area.

For multiple sheets of paper, we can multiply the weight of a paper sheet by the paper quantity, n \small n n , to calculate the total weight, W total \small W_\text{total} W total ​ , of the paper, as shown in the equation below:

✅ We have different names for different numbers of paper sheets, like reams, bundles, or bales. Learn more about them in our paper quantity converter .

Using our paper weight calculator

Here are the steps on how to use our paper weight calculator:

Select the unit of measure you want to use , either grammage or basis weight.

If you selected grammage , enter the grammage value and proceed to step 4.

If you selected basis weight , choose the appropriate basic sheet size and enter your paper's corresponding basis weight .

Next step is to select or input the paper size of your paper .

Upon entering your paper's dimensions, you will then see the weight per sheet .

Change the value in the Quantity field to match your requirements to find the total weight you need.

To use our calculator for paper weight conversion, select "basis weight" in the Units field and follow the steps below:

To convert a basis weight to grammage , select a basic sheet size and enter a basis weight. This will then display an equivalent grammage.

To convert grammage to basis weight , enter a grammage value first. Then choose your desired basic sheet size. This will then result in a value for the basis weight.

To convert a basis weight to another basis weight , simply select "Yes" in the Convert to another basis weight? field. This will reveal two more fields where you can choose the new basic sheet size you wish to convert to and see the value of the basis weight for that stock type.

Sample calculation of the weight of paper

Let's say we are asked to purchase five reams (2,500 sheets) of 70 gsm A4 size copy paper for the office, and we want to know how much it weighs. An A4 size paper has a width of 0.210 m and a length of 0.297 m . Since we already have all the necessary dimensions, we can now find the weight of our paper by substituting these values into our formula:

Multiplying this value by the 2 ,  ⁣ 500 \small 2,\!500 2 , 500 , which is the total quantity of paper sheets in five reams, we obtain the total weight of paper that we want to know, as shown below:

We also use a similar procedure in determining the weight of similarly-shaped objects like metal sheets and plates. If you find this topic interesting and would love to learn more, you can also visit our steel plate weight calculator or our log weight calculator – which uses a different procedure of weight calculation.

How much does a sheet of paper weigh?

This value is dependent on the paper.

What is gsm in paper weight?

Gsm is a unit of measurement that means grams per square meter . It tells you how many grams a square meter of paper weighs. It is often referred to as grammage. For reference, 1 gsm = 0.67 lbs .

How should I calculate the weight a sheet of paper?

To calculate the weight of a sheet of paper , follow these steps:

Get the grammage of the paper: say 55 gsm .

Get the area of the paper: 0.0625 m² .

Use the paper size formula:

weight = area × grammage

Substitute the values:

weight = 0.0625 × 55 weight = 3.4375 g

What weight is copy paper?

Copy paper varies in size, grammage, and area. Two popular sizes are letter ( 8.5 x 11 inches ) and legal ( 8.5 x 14 inches ). Some legal-size copy papers are 75 gsm . The weight of this legal size paper is 5.758 g :

To calculate this, we use the formula:

Weight = Area × grammage

Because grammage is expressed in grams per meter square and the dimensions are in inches, we need to multiply by 0.0254² to express this value in meters.

Weight = (8.5 × 14 × 0.0254²) × 75

Weight = 5.758 g

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ol{padding-top:0px;}.css-4okk7a ul:not(:first-child),.css-4okk7a ol:not(:first-child){padding-top:4px;} Paper weight reference

Select between grammage or basis weight depending on your preference.

Basic sheet size

Scroll down to the last dropdown option to enter custom basic sheet dimensions.

Basis weight (of a ream)

Weight of a ream (500 sheets) of your selected reference basic sheet size in pounds.

Paper grammage

Equivalent weight of paper in grams per square meter. 

Convert to another basis weight?

Select or input the size of your paper

Scroll down to the last dropdown option to enter custom paper dimensions.

Output values

Weight per sheet

Total weight

Replica Printing Services

Thick and Thin, Points and Pounds – How to Determine Paper Weight

Paper weight can be a confusing concept for some people to grasp. If you are a print customer, you have probably heard the terms “Points” or “Pounds” in reference to the thickness of the paper types you have to choose from. For example, a 16 point gloss cover stock, or 20-pound bond. What exactly does this mean, though? How is this measured?

Before we start, this post will only be discussing the measurements of paper thickness, we will get into the types of paper in a future article. We do not want to overwhelm you with information!

Paper Weight Explained:

There are two main types of measurement for paper stock. “Pounds” and “Points”. You may see it abbreviated as “#” or “lb” for pounds and “pt” for points.

Pounds ,  as you might have guessed, refers to the weight of the paper. It is normally measured by how much 500 sheets (or a ream) of paper weighs in its basic unit uncut size, which means before being cut to Letter size or Legal size, the paper is weighed and categorized. The thicker the stock, the higher the weight. Weights range from 20 to 80 pounds for bond paper and 50 to 140 pounds for card stock.

Points are used to indicate the thickness of each sheet of paper. Points are measured simply by using calipers to measure the thickness. Each point represents 1/1000th of an inch. Some examples of common point sizes, and how they might be written are as follows: 8 pt, 10 pt, 12 pt,  14 pt, and 16 pt paper. The higher the point value, the thicker the paper.

Finally, a more advanced calculation for paper weight that you might come across would be the paper’s GSM , which stands for ‘ Grams per Square Meter’ .   GSM is a more internationally accepted measurement of paper weight, using the metric system rather than pounds. It refers to the actual substance weight of paper, irrespective of sheet size. For more information about GSM, follow this link .

We hope that this article has given you a better understanding of paper measurements so that you are better prepared and know what you want when having something printed.

Do you still have questions? We have the answers! Visit our new Resources page to download templates and watch video tutorials.

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How Thick is a Paper: Guide to Paper Thickness and Weight

Paper thickness refers to the distance between the two opposite surfaces of a sheet of paper, usually measured in thousandths of an inch or millimeters. On the other hand, paper weight refers to the mass of paper per unit area, typically expressed in pounds or grams per square meter (gsm).

Understanding paper thickness and weight is essential for anyone who works with paper, including printers, designers, and publishers. Knowing the paper’s thickness and weight can help determine its suitability for specific printing processes, such as offset or digital printing, and can also influence the paper’s handling, durability, and cost.

In this article, I will provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of paper thickness and weight, and the importance of choosing the right paper for different purposes. By the end of the article, readers should be able to determine the appropriate paper thickness and weight for their printing and packaging needs.

What Is Paper Thickness?

Paper thickness refers to the distance between the two opposite surfaces of a sheet of paper. It is typically measured in thousandths of an inch (mil or pt) or in millimeters (mm).

Measuring paper thickness can be done using a micrometer or a caliper, which allows for accurate and precise measurements. The paper is placed between the measuring jaws of the micrometer or caliper, and the thickness is recorded.

In the United States, paper thickness is often expressed in thousandths of an inch, with a standard sheet of printer paper, also known as bond paper, being around 4 mils thick. In other countries, such as Europe and Australia, paper thickness is measured in microns, with a standard sheet of printer paper being around 100 microns thick.

Different paper types have varying thicknesses, depending on their intended use and quality. Here are some common paper thicknesses for different paper types:

Printer paper or bond paper: 4-6 mils (0.1-0.15 mm)

Business cards : 12-16 mils (0.3-0.4 mm)

Greeting cards : 12-24 mils (0.3-0.6 mm)

Posters : 8-12 mils (0.2-0.3 mm)

Magazines : 2-4 mils (0.05-0.1 mm)

Textbook paper : 3-4 mils (0.08-0.1 mm)

Cover stock : 8-14 mils (0.2-0.4 mm)

Photo paper : 8-12 mils (0.2-0.3 mm)

Cardboard : 30-60 mils (0.8-1.5 mm)

Understanding Paper Thickness for Printing

Understanding paper thickness is crucial when it comes to printing. Different printing processes and printers require different paper thicknesses to achieve optimal results.

Here are some general guidelines for paper thickness for different printing purposes:

• Digital Printing: 

Digital printers use toner or ink to produce images on paper. These printers are typically designed to handle a range of paper thicknesses, from thin copy paper to heavy cardstock. However, some digital printers may have limitations in terms of paper weight, so it is important to consult the printer’s specifications or consult with a professional to ensure the paper is suitable.

• Recommended paper thickness for digital printing : 20-28 lb bond (75-105 gsm) for text, 80 lb cover (215 gsm) for covers, and 100 lb cover (270 gsm) for heavy covers.
• Offset Printing: 

Offset printing is a traditional printing process that uses ink to transfer an image from a metal plate to a rubber sheet, which is then pressed onto the paper. This process requires a specific paper thickness to achieve optimal ink transfer and image quality.

• Recommended paper thickness for offset printing : 60-80 lb text (90-135 gsm) for text, 100 lb cover (270 gsm) for covers, and 130 lb cover (350 gsm) for heavy covers.
• Letterpress Printing: 

Letterpress printing is a traditional printing process that uses a raised image or text plate to press ink into the paper. This process requires a specific paper thickness to achieve optimal image quality and impression depth.

• Recommended paper thickness for letterpress printing : 80-110 lb cover (215-300 gsm) for covers, and 110-220 lb cover (300-600 gsm) for heavy covers.
• Inkjet Printing: 

Inkjet printers use liquid ink to produce images on paper. These printers are designed to handle a range of paper thicknesses, but some models may have limitations in terms of paper weight, so it is important to consult the printer’s specifications or consult with a professional to ensure the paper is suitable.

• Recommended paper thickness for inkjet printing : 20-28 lb bond (75-105 gsm) for text, 80 lb cover (215 gsm) for covers, and 100 lb cover (270 gsm) for heavy covers.

Importance of Paper Thickness for Packaging

Paper thickness is an important consideration when it comes to packaging. The thickness of the paper can affect the durability and protection of the product inside. Here are some general guidelines for paper thickness for different packaging purposes:

• Boxes: 

Boxes are typically made from corrugated cardboard, which consists of an outer layer, an inner layer, and a fluted middle layer. The thickness of the paper used in each layer can vary, depending on the intended use and the weight of the product being packaged.

• Recommended paper thickness for boxes : The fluted middle layer is typically 1/8 to 3/16 inch (3-5 mm) thick, while the outer and inner layers can vary from 30-90 lb (50-150 gsm) depending on the weight of the product.
• Bags: 

Paper bags are often used for retail packaging and can be made from a variety of paper thicknesses, depending on the size and weight of the product being packaged.

• Recommended paper thickness for bags : 30-50 lb (50-80 gsm) for small items, 50-70 lb (80-110 gsm) for medium items, and 70-90 lb (110-150 gsm) for larger items.
• Wrapping Paper: 

Wrapping paper is often used to wrap gifts or protect products during shipping. The thickness of the paper can vary, depending on the fragility of the product being packaged.

• Recommended paper thickness for wrapping paper : 20-30 lb (30-50 gsm) for lightweight items, 30-40 lb (50-65 gsm) for medium-weight items, and 40-50 lb (65-80 gsm) for heavy items.

Paper Weight

Paper weight is typically measured by weighing a ream (500 sheets) of paper that is a standard size for the specific paper type. The weight of the ream is then divided by the total area of the paper to determine the weight per square meter or pound.

The units used to measure paper weight varies depending on the location. In the United States, paper weight is typically measured in pounds (lb) while in other parts of the world, including Europe and Asia, it is measured in grams per square meter (gsm).

Here are some general guidelines for common paper weights for different paper types:

• Copy Paper: 

Standard copy paper is typically 20 lb (75 gsm), which is suitable for most printing and copying needs.

• Cardstock: 

Cardstock is a heavier paper commonly used for invitations, cards, and other printed materials that require more durability. It ranges from 65 lb (176 gsm) to 110 lb (300 gsm), with heavier weights used for more formal and high-quality printing.

• Newsprint : 

Newsprint is a lightweight, inexpensive paper used for newspapers and other low-cost printed materials. It typically ranges from 30 lb (48.8 gsm) to 35 lb (56.9 gsm).

• Glossy Paper: 

Glossy paper is a coated paper with a shiny finish that is commonly used for printing photos and other high-quality images. It ranges from 60 lb (163 gsm) to 100 lb (271 gsm), with heavier weights used for higher-quality printing.

Understanding Paper Weight for Printing

Paper weight is an important consideration when choosing paper for printing. The weight of the paper can affect the quality and durability of the printed product. Here are some general guidelines for paper weight for different printing purposes:

• Standard Printing: 

For everyday printing and copying, a standard weight of 20 lb (75 gsm) is suitable for most printers.

• Professional Printing: 

For professional printing and marketing materials, a heavier weight is typically used to give a more high-quality feel. Cardstock is often used for this purpose, ranging from 65 lb (176 gsm) to 110 lb (300 gsm).

Inkjet printers can handle a variety of paper weights, but thicker papers may require adjustments to the printer settings. Heavier paperweights, such as 100 lb (271 gsm) glossy paper, are commonly used for printing high-quality photos.

• Laser Printing: 

Laser printers can handle heavier paper weights than inkjet printers. For laser printing, a standard weight of 24 lb (90 gsm) is suitable, while heavier weights up to 110 lb (300 gsm) can also be used for high-quality printing.

Determining Paper Thickness and Weight

There are several tools and methods used to determine the paper’s thickness and weight.

Here are some commonly used tools and procedures:

• Micrometer : A micrometer is a tool used to measure the thickness of the paper. It works by using a calibrated screw to apply pressure to the paper and measure the thickness in microns or mils.
• Weighing Scale : A weighing scale is used to measure the weight of paper. A ream of paper is weighed, and the weight is divided by the total area of the paper to determine the weight per square meter or pound.
• Caliper : A caliper is a tool used to measure the thickness of the paper. It works by using a sliding jaw to measure the distance between the top and bottom of the paper.

Procedure for Measuring Paper Thickness:

• Place the paper on a flat surface and smooth it out to remove any wrinkles or creases.
• Using a micrometer or caliper, apply pressure to the paper and measure the thickness at several different points. Take an average of the measurements to determine the paper’s thickness.

Procedure for Measuring Paper Weight:

• Weigh a ream of paper (usually 500 sheets) using a weighing scale.
• Calculate the total area of the paper by multiplying the length and width of a single sheet.
• Divide the weight of the ream by the total area of the paper to determine the weight per square meter or pound.

How thick is a micron of paper?

A micron is a unit of measurement equal to one-thousandth of a millimeter. The thickness of paper can vary depending on its type and weight, but a typical copy of the paper is around 100 microns or 0.1 millimeters thick. Therefore, a single sheet of paper is about 0.1 microns thick. 

How thin is paper?

The thickness of paper can vary widely depending on the type and intended use. Generally, paper thickness ranges from about 0.05 millimeters (mm) for tissue paper to 0.3 mm or more for cardstock or cardboard. However, some specialized types of paper, such as Bible paper, can be as thin as 0.02 mm.

How can I determine the thickness of a paper?

To determine the thickness of a paper, you can use a micrometer or caliper. Smooth out the paper on a flat surface and apply pressure to it with the tool. Measure the thickness at several different points and take an average to determine the paper’s thickness.

How does paper weight affect print quality?

Paper weight can have a significant impact on print quality. A heavier paper weight can give a more professional and high-quality feel to printed materials. It can also improve the durability of the printed product, as heavier papers are less likely to tear or crease.

What is the difference between paper thickness and weight?

Paper thickness and weight are two different measurements of paper. Paper thickness refers to the distance between the top and bottom of the paper, typically measured in microns or mils. Paper weight refers to the mass or heaviness of the paper, typically measured in grams per square meter or pounds.

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Paper Weight Guide: How to Choose the Best Paper Weight for your Job

Last updated on November 1st, 2023 at 03:57 pm

Paper weight is an important consideration for every print project, as it has a significant impact on the look, feel, and quality of the printed piece. However, understanding the sizes and weights of paper can be confusing. One of the top questions asked by prospective printing customers is, “How do I choose the best paper weight for printing?” At Printivity, our customer service representatives frequently advise our customers on our suggestions based on their specific print job.

We have found that having a good paper weight guide can help customers understand why we recommend a certain weight and make the best decision for their project. Here’s what you need to know before selecting the paper weight for a print project.

Different types of printing paper

Today’s commercial printing industry offers many different paper types and weights to choose from. These can range from basic Bond and Book types to Index, Cover, Text, and more. Printivity offers Text and Cover paper types of varying weights. We use the following for the majority of our customers’ print projects:

• 50/60/70 lb. Text Uncoated
• 80/100 lb. Text Gloss/Matte
• 70/90 lb. Cover Uncoated
• 70/90/100 lb. Cover Gloss/Matte
• 14/16pt Cardstock Semi-gloss

How paper weight is determined

Every good paper weight guide will discuss the various methods for specifying different paper weights and thicknesses. We have found it helpful to our customers to focus on the two most common:

• U.S. Basis Weight. This is defined as “the weight of 500 sheets of paper in its basic unit uncut size.” The weight is determined before the paper is cut to its final size, such as Letter or Legal.
• Metric weight. This refers to the actual weight of one sheet of paper cut 1 x 1 meter square. Always weighing the same size sheet provides a more uniform scale to judge a paper’s weight and thickness. The most common metric used here is GSM, or grams per square meter.

For customers looking for a more straightforward method, Printivity recommends the following approach.

The Simple Paper Weight Guide : How to Choose Paper for Printing

Step 1: choose the best paper weight according to the specifics of your print job..

Are you printing color copies or black and white copies ? Are you printing booklets , brochures , or invitations? Or, are you printing business cards/postcards? This will narrow down your decision-making to the best paper weights and types of paper commonly used for your print project.

Step 2: Think about whether you want a cardstock paper weight, or a non-cardstock paper weight

If our paper weight guides don’t help you find the right paper, think about whether cardstock or non-cardstock paper is better suited to your type of print project.

Cardstock is also known as “cover,” “index,” or “bristol.” Non-cardstock papers are called “text” or ”bond.” At Printivity, our “cover paper” is synonymous with “cardstock,” and non-cardstock is synonymous with “text weight.” This keeps things simpler for our customers.

Printing customers often obsess about the numbered paper weights (i.e., 24lb/60lb/80lb), but I typically tell them not to worry about that detail. First, decide what kind of paper you want – Cover or Text – and then move on to the next step.

Step 3: Choose a paper coating—glossy (coated), matte (coated), or uncoated

Each paper finish name is self explanatory, however they also have unique qualities that come with it. Uncoated paper has a natural finish that allows for most, if not all, kinds of writing instruments to be written on it. Gloss paper has coating that not only gives off a high shine, but also heightens the printed colors. Like Gloss paper, Matte sheets have a smooth finish but has a duller appearance.

When ordering prints that require someone to write on it, we recommend Uncoated finished paper. However, if you want your project to have a coated finish even though there are places to write on it, you should order Matte finished paper.

Step 4: Choose your numbered paper weight (i.e., the “basis weight”)

Remember what I was saying about numbered paper weights earlier? Customers often wonder about the basis weights FIRST, when they should be thinking about it LAST. When they think about basis weights first, they get confused between the difference between “70 lb. glossy cover” and “70 lb. glossy text”. (The cover paper is a cardstock, and is much thicker.)

But if you already know you want a “glossy cover,” and you only have to choose between two options, the decision of what to order becomes much easier. Do you want the thicker cover paper (100 lb. glossy cover) or the thinner cover paper (70 lb. glossy cover)?

Final thoughts for choosing the best paper weight for printing

Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in focusing on the numbered paper weights (the basis weights). Instead, focus on the kind of paper you want, and then choose the paper weights relatively. For example, if you know that 80 lb. glossy cover is the thinnest paper, and you want a thicker paper, then choose the thicker one!

We hope our paper weight guide has made this topic easier to understand! Remember, our customer service representatives are here to help. If you have any questions about the right paper size, type, or weight for your print job, we’ll be happy to assist you in making the right choice. Contact us at 1-877-649-5463 or [email protected] and we can send you a free paper sample kit.

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Paper Weight Explained

What Exactly is a Paper Weight (Paper Density, Basis Weight , Grammage)? Paper Weight is a measure of the area density.

Paper products that let little or no light pass through are considered dense or heavy, these have a higher weight number.  Paper products that allow some light to pass through are considered lightweight and have a lower weight number.

A common paper weight range is 9lb to 200lb.

What types of Paper Weights Exist? There are actually a good amount of different paper weights.

We have listed some of them below:

Explain the uses for each weight Different paper weights are used for different types of press runs.

For example, a lighter weight of 20lb paper is what you will find most often in your office printer.

This is obviously used for your day to day printing of memos, non-critical letters or other simple documents.  But if we talk about 110lb paper, it is more likely being used for things like dividers or manila folders.

This is something that you should be very aware of and will make a big impact on your printed piece.

Poster, Postcards, Flyers, Book Covers, these are all printed and require different weights for their use.

Write to the cost differences? Of course in most cases a higher weight paper will cost more, but it will also depend on your creative design.  How elaborate your artwork is can drive up cost even if it is done on a lower weight paper.

Prices can vary greatly based on quality of stock and the quality of the printing company you are using.  Be sure to use a reputable company with modern equipment, a first-class facility, and long-term employees and management.

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The latest insights, industry news, tips and topics from our team of experts., paper weight & printing - how is it calculated and why does it matter.

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[fa icon="pencil'] Posted by Lewan Solutions [fa icon="calendar"] July 29, 2016

Guest post by Eric Norris, who leads training and certification for our printer repair and copier service team at Lewan Technology.

Ever try running an extra thick piece of paper through your printer only to have it cause a pain-in-the-you-know-what jam?

If you’re like the rest of us, you have. (Queue paper jam meme #1)

Even if you’re running the sheet of paper through the bypass tray (which can accommodate specialty papers more readily), can one sheet of paper really make that much of a difference?

Now one sheet of paper isn’t going to break the tray clean off the machine, but the system may not feed it. Or worse, start to feed it then jam. (Queue paper jam meme #2)

So how do you know what paper thicknesses the machine can support and how to set the machine to the right settings so it prints successfully?

To get a better understanding, let’s look at how paper weight is calculated. 

When manufacturers produce paper, they weigh it 500 sheets at a time, and that number in pounds is documented as the weight of the paper.

So does that mean that a ream (500 sheets) of 8.5” x 11” 20 lb. plain Bond paper weighs 20 pounds ? It does say “20 lb.” right here the label after all.

A ream of this plain Bond paper actually weighs 5 pounds. Confusing, right?

So why do we call it “20 lb.” paper if it weighs 5 pounds? 

When the manufacturer weighs the paper it’s not 500 8.5” x 11” size sheets, it’s 500 17” x 22” size sheets which are 4x the size of 8.5”x11”.

Some quick math and that works out to a weight of 5 pounds for a ream of 8.5” x 11” size paper.

Bingo, problem solved!

But wait…that would just make it too easy.

The example above is for Bond paper, which is the common everyday paper you’re used to printing on. Moreover, this is thin paper so it’s not likely going to be the culprit of your paper jam. (Queue paper jam meme #3 - last one I promise!)

When we run into feeding and jamming issues it’s usually with heavier weights, commonly called Index, Cover or Bristol stock.

Now consider this: 20 lb. Bond = 41 lb. Index .

Paper weight changes based on the TYPE paper it is. 

This is because Index does not use 17” x 22” sheets when weighing the paper. Index is manufactured in 22.5” x 30.5” sheets. (To confuse matters more, Cover stock uses 20” x 26” sheet size and Bristol uses 22.5” x 28.5” sheet size for weight measurement.)

So what does this all mean, other than confusing the heck out of everyone?

The bad news is that we can’t just look at how many pounds the paper weighs in order to figure out if it’s too heavy for the machine.

The good news is that there’s a measurement that takes paper type/pounds out of the equation.

On most ream labels, you will find a specification called GSM . This stands for grams per square meter, and is a measurement of the paper's density.

The higher the number, the thicker the paper.

Not only is this almost always listed, but it’s the measurement most printers and copiers will ask for when you set a new paper type up for a tray.

So how heavy it too heavy then?

If the GSM weight isn’t an option in the printer’s paper settings, it’s probably too heavy.

Xerox also lists the GSM specifications in their device documentation so if you reference that, you will know if your paper is within the working range of your machine.

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Final thoughts…

Whenever you are loading a new paper type, take a look at the label on ream to find the GSM then compare that to what your machine is capable of handling.

Just be sure to program that weight into the machine before you start printing so it can change how it handles the paper and will give you the high quality and reliability you deserve.

Happy printing!

Topics: How To Guide , Paper , Printers & Copiers

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Paper weight: what does it mean.

Paper weight can be confusing. There are two ways that paper weight is measured and stated. The United States measures paper weight in pounds, whereas it is standard to measure in grams per square meter  (g/m²) outside of the US.

Paper weight in the US is stated in lbs. and is determined by weighing 500 sheets (a ream) in the basis size of a particular paper. For example, the basis size (or in other words, the master sheet size) of our Watercolor papers is 22”x30”. If you place 500 master sheets of our 400 Series Watercolor paper in the 22”x30” size on a scale, it would weigh approximately 140lbs.

The part that can get confusing when weighing paper in pounds is that not all paper types have the same basis size. For example, drawing papers have a basis size of 24”x36”, versus watercolor papers which have a basis size of 22”x30”. 500 Sheets of 400 Series Drawing paper (24”x 36”) weighs 80lbs. If you look at our 500 Series Aquarius II Watercolor paper, it also is listed as 80lbs, but the basis size of Aquarius II is 22”x30”, not 24”x36”, so it’s not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison.

On the other hand, weighing paper in grams per square meter does give you a clean, apples-to-apples comparison. Measuring paper weight in grams per square meter (commonly referred to as gsm or g/m 2 ) is literally taking the weight in grams of 1 square meter of paper. So even though both Drawing and Aquarius II are listed as the same weight in pounds (80lbs), the master size sheets being weighed are not the same (again the drawing paper basis size is 24” x 36” and the watercolor paper basis size is 22” x 30”). When these two papers have the same size (one square meter), we see that the Watercolor paper actually weighs more than the drawing paper (130gsm vs. 170gsm).

COMMON PAPER WEIGHTS

This chart shows various papers and their common basis sizes & weights. A papers weight does not necessarily reflect quality. It is usually a reflection of intended use. Watercolor papers are heavier weight because of their need to hold a lot of water, versus drawing & sketch papers which are intended for dry media.

You will find the weight of our papers stated in both lbs. and gsm on our packaging, in our catalogs and on our website.

Strathmore Artist Papers

Grain, Weight, Finish… A Guide to Common Paper Terms

What’s in a name? Well, if you’ve ever shopped for paper, quite a bit of confusion and ambiguity.

Okay, that made me chuckle. But really, paper terms are confusing, right?

We’re taught from a young age that paper is paper. But when it comes to actually buying paper, you’ll hear words you never knew existed, like grain, finish, mill, and weight. It’s no wonder my clients and customers have a hard time choosing the right paper for their needs. There’s a million different options and a million different terms to describe each one.

That’s why I put together this comprehensive list of common paper terms to help you wade through the jargon and choose the right paper for your project. 

A Guide to Common Paper Terms

If you’re wondering where to buy, I buy most of mine from Cards and Pockets . Not sponsored – they’re just the best and I highly recommend them.

A mill is the brand or company that makes the paper.  There are several big paper mills you hear of a lot, with each one specializing in different colors, textures, and materials. In the fine stationery department, my favorite mills are Reich, Neenah, and Mohawk.

While you usually can’t buy paper directly from mills, you can buy it through resellers, like Cards and Pockets .

Line or Collection 

Each mill creates lines or collections with their own finishes, weights and colors. They’re usually grouped into similar finishes, like metallic shimmer, colorful matte solids, or luxe cottons. Like a clothing brand, a mill might release new lines occasionally to keep up with changing trends or to corner new markets. 

Finish 

The word finish refers to the paper’s texture.

Terms like  cotton ,  linen ,  felt , or  canvas  denote the finish and typically describe either the material or the pattern. For instance, cotton paper is made from cotton as opposed to wood pulp. Linen paper has a texture very similar to that of linen fabric. And canvas paper looks an awful lot like an artist’s canvas.

You’ll also see terms like  matte  or  glossy ,  coated  or  uncoated ,  recycled  or  embossed . It’s all too much to dive into here. So, in order to get a true feeling for a paper’s finish, it’s best to order a sample and take it for a spin. Only then will you know how the paper performs in the real world.  

Want to know more? I talk about all the different finishes in this post .

Printability 

A paper’s finish determines how well it absorbs ink and, therefore, the printing methods that can be used (aka it’s “printability”).

Glossy cardstock isn’t always suitable for wet ink printing methods, such as inkjet or digital printers. Meanwhile, laser toner can sometimes look flaky on vellum or parchment.

In order to determine a paper’s printability, you’ll need to take into account how slick the surface is and what kind of ink your printer uses. Rather than guess, I recommend purchasing some paper samples and doing a test print. The results might surprise you!

And if you’re mixing paper types in a project, you’ll probably need to mix printing methods to ensure a flawless print. 

Grain 

Paper is made up of thousands of tiny wood pulp fibers pressed together. During the paper making process, these fibers align so that they’re mostly facing the same direction.

This direction is what we mean by “grain”.  

Knowing about grain is especially important when you’re folding or cutting cardstock, because working in the same direction as the grain can help keep cracking and fraying to a minimum.  

Otherwise, grain isn’t really that important. But it is a term you might run across when paper shopping.

Weight  

This refers to how thick the paper is. In the U.S., we talk about paper weight in terms of pounds (# or lb) because we like to complicate things. But you may see GSM or Points when working with European paper companies. When it comes to weight, just note that the higher the number, the heavier the paper (usually). 

Still confused? I talk about paper weight extensively at the bottom of this post .

Text/Cover 

Another way to talk about paper weight, text and cover refer to the class of paper. Text weight paper is thin and flexible and often used for things like flyers, book pages, and traditional printer paper. Cover weight paper is more like poster board and is used for invitations, book covers or artwork.

Not to confuse you too much, but in the U.S. pound system, 100# text weight paper will always be thinner than 100# cover weight paper. 

Color  

Whew! An easy one! Color refers to the hue of the paper.

Each mill has its own colors, so “white” from one mill may look completely different than “white” from another mill. But usually the colors at a particular mill are uniform across different finishes, weights and materials. That way you can mix and match textures while keeping the color the same.

I recommend always ordering a sample to make sure the color is what you had in mind. Or ordering a swatch book to get a feel for every color a supplier offers.

Papers come in several standard sizes, which are determined by the mill.

Common sizes include: 

•  US Letter – 8 ½” x 11”  •  Legal – 8 ½” x 14”  •  A7 – 5″ x 7”  •  Scrapbook – 12″ x 12”  •  Tabloid – 11″ x 17” 

…to name a few

Not all papers come in every size. If the size you need isn’t available, a lot of places offer custom cutting services  for a small fee.

Are there any common paper terms I didn’t cover?

Just drop ’em in the comments and I’ll help you out.

The information contained on this Website and the resources available for download through this website are for educational and informational purposes only. I am only sharing what worked for me, and as such, I cannot guarantee that any products or processes will give you the same results.

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• Open access
• Published: 13 May 2024

Long-term weight loss effects of semaglutide in obesity without diabetes in the SELECT trial

• Donna H. Ryan 1 ,
• Ildiko Lingvay   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-7006-7401 2 ,
• John Deanfield 3 ,
• Steven E. Kahn 4 ,
• Eric Barros   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-6613-4181 5 ,
• Bartolome Burguera 6 ,
• Helen M. Colhoun   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-8345-3288 7 ,
• Cintia Cercato   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-6181-4951 8 ,
• Dror Dicker 9 ,
• Deborah B. Horn 10 ,
• G. Kees Hovingh 5 ,
• Ole Kleist Jeppesen 5 ,
• Alexander Kokkinos 11 ,
• A. Michael Lincoff   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-8175-2121 12 ,
• Sebastian M. Meyhöfer 13 ,
• Tugce Kalayci Oral 5 ,
• Jorge Plutzky   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-7194-9876 14 ,
• André P. van Beek   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-0335-8177 15 ,
• John P. H. Wilding   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-2839-8404 16 &
• Robert F. Kushner 17  

Nature Medicine ( 2024 ) Cite this article

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• Medical research

In the SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial, semaglutide showed a 20% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in 17,604 adults with preexisting cardiovascular disease, overweight or obesity, without diabetes. Here in this prespecified analysis, we examined effects of semaglutide on weight and anthropometric outcomes, safety and tolerability by baseline body mass index (BMI). In patients treated with semaglutide, weight loss continued over 65 weeks and was sustained for up to 4 years. At 208 weeks, semaglutide was associated with mean reduction in weight (−10.2%), waist circumference (−7.7 cm) and waist-to-height ratio (−6.9%) versus placebo (−1.5%, −1.3 cm and −1.0%, respectively; P  < 0.0001 for all comparisons versus placebo). Clinically meaningful weight loss occurred in both sexes and all races, body sizes and regions. Semaglutide was associated with fewer serious adverse events. For each BMI category (<30, 30 to <35, 35 to <40 and ≥40 kg m − 2 ) there were lower rates (events per 100 years of observation) of serious adverse events with semaglutide (43.23, 43.54, 51.07 and 47.06 for semaglutide and 50.48, 49.66, 52.73 and 60.85 for placebo). Semaglutide was associated with increased rates of trial product discontinuation. Discontinuations increased as BMI class decreased. In SELECT, at 208 weeks, semaglutide produced clinically significant weight loss and improvements in anthropometric measurements versus placebo. Weight loss was sustained over 4 years. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03574597 .

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Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 5 trial

What is the pipeline for future medications for obesity?

The worldwide obesity prevalence, defined by body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg m − 2 , has nearly tripled since 1975 (ref. 1 ). BMI is a good surveillance measure for population changes over time, given its strong correlation with body fat amount on a population level, but it may not accurately indicate the amount or location of body fat at the individual level 2 . In fact, the World Health Organization defines clinical obesity as ‘abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health’ 1 . Excess abnormal body fat, especially visceral adiposity and ectopic fat, is a driver of cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) 3 , 4 , 5 , and contributes to the global chronic disease burden of diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cancer and other chronic conditions 6 , 7 .

Remediating the adverse health effects of excess abnormal body fat through weight loss is a priority in addressing the global chronic disease burden. Improvements in CV risk factors, glycemia and quality-of-life measures including personal well-being and physical functioning generally begin with modest weight loss of 5%, whereas greater weight loss is associated with more improvement in these measures 8 , 9 , 10 . Producing and sustaining durable and clinically significant weight loss with lifestyle intervention alone has been challenging 11 . However, weight-management medications that modify appetite can make attaining and sustaining clinically meaningful weight loss of ≥10% more likely 12 . Recently, weight-management medications, particularly those comprising glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, that help people achieve greater and more sustainable weight loss have been developed 13 . Once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, is approved for chronic weight management 14 , 15 , 16 and at doses of up to 2.0 mg is approved for type 2 diabetes treatment 17 , 18 , 19 . In patients with type 2 diabetes and high CV risk, semaglutide at doses of 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg has been shown to significantly lower the risk of CV events 20 . The SELECT trial (Semaglutide Effects on Heart Disease and Stroke in Patients with Overweight or Obesity) studied patients with established CVD and overweight or obesity but without diabetes. In SELECT, semaglutide was associated with a 20% reduction in major adverse CV events (hazard ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72 to 0.90; P  < 0.001) 21 . Data derived from the SELECT trial offer the opportunity to evaluate the weight loss efficacy, in a geographically and racially diverse population, of semaglutide compared with placebo over 208 weeks when both are given in addition to standard-of-care recommendations for secondary CVD prevention (but without a focus on targeting weight loss). Furthermore, the data allow examination of changes in anthropometric measures such as BMI, waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) as surrogates for body fat amount and location 22 , 23 . The diverse population can also be evaluated for changes in sex- and race-specific ‘cutoff points’ for BMI and WC, which have been identified as anthropometric measures that predict cardiometabolic risk 8 , 22 , 23 .

This prespecified analysis of the SELECT trial investigated weight loss and changes in anthropometric indices in patients with established CVD and overweight or obesity without diabetes, who met inclusion and exclusion criteria, within a range of baseline categories for glycemia, renal function and body anthropometric measures.

Study population

The SELECT study enrolled 17,604 patients (72.3% male) from 41 countries between October 2018 and March 2021, with a mean (s.d.) age of 61.6 (8.9) years and BMI of 33.3 (5.0) kg m − 2 (ref. 21 ). The baseline characteristics of the population have been reported 24 . Supplementary Table 1 outlines SELECT patients according to baseline BMI categories. Of note, in the lower BMI categories (<30 kg m − 2 (overweight) and 30 to <35 kg m − 2 (class I obesity)), the proportion of Asian individuals was higher (14.5% and 7.4%, respectively) compared with the proportion of Asian individuals in the higher BMI categories (BMI 35 to <40 kg m − 2 (class II obesity; 3.8%) and ≥40 kg m − 2 (class III obesity; 2.2%), respectively). As the BMI categories increased, the proportion of women was higher: in the class III BMI category, 45.5% were female, compared with 20.8%, 25.7% and 33.0% in the overweight, class I and class II categories, respectively. Lower BMI categories were associated with a higher proportion of patients with normoglycemia and glycated hemoglobin <5.7%. Although the proportions of patients with high cholesterol and history of smoking were similar across BMI categories, the proportion of patients with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ≥2.0 mg dl −1 increased as the BMI category increased. A high-sensitivity C-reactive protein >2.0 mg dl −1 was present in 36.4% of patients in the overweight BMI category, with a progressive increase to 43.3%, 57.3% and 72.0% for patients in the class I, II and III obesity categories, respectively.

Weight and anthropometric outcomes

Percentage weight loss.

The average percentage weight-loss trajectories with semaglutide and placebo over 4 years of observation are shown in Fig. 1a (ref. 21 ). For those in the semaglutide group, the weight-loss trajectory continued to week 65 and then was sustained for the study period through week 208 (−10.2% for the semaglutide group, −1.5% for the placebo group; treatment difference −8.7%; 95% CI −9.42 to −7.88; P  < 0.0001). To estimate the treatment effect while on medication, we performed a first on-treatment analysis (observation period until the first time being off treatment for >35 days). At week 208, mean weight loss in the semaglutide group analyzed as first on-treatment was −11.7% compared with −1.5% for the placebo group (Fig. 1b ; treatment difference −10.2%; 95% CI −11.0 to −9.42; P  < 0.0001).

a , b , Observed data from the in-trial period ( a ) and first on-treatment ( b ). The symbols are the observed means, and error bars are ±s.e.m. Numbers shown below each panel represent the number of patients contributing to the means. Analysis of covariance with treatment and baseline values was used to estimate the treatment difference. Exact P values are 1.323762 × 10 −94 and 9.80035 × 10 −100 for a and b , respectively. P values are two-sided and are not adjusted for multiplicity. ETD, estimated treatment difference; sema, semaglutide.

Categorical weight loss and individual body weight change

Among in-trial (intention-to-treat principle) patients at week 104, weight loss of ≥5%, ≥10%, ≥15%, ≥20% and ≥25% was achieved by 67.8%, 44.2%, 22.9%, 11.0% and 4.9%, respectively, of those treated with semaglutide compared with 21.3%, 6.9%, 1.7%, 0.6% and 0.1% of those receiving placebo (Fig. 2a ). Individual weight changes at 104 weeks for the in-trial populations for semaglutide and placebo are depicted in Fig. 2b and Fig. 2c , respectively. These waterfall plots show the variation in weight-loss response that occurs with semaglutide and placebo and show that weight loss is more prominent with semaglutide than placebo.

a , Categorical weight loss from baseline at week 104 for semaglutide and placebo. Data from the in-trial period. Bars depict the proportion (%) of patients receiving semaglutide or placebo who achieved ≥5%, ≥10%, ≥15%, ≥20% and ≥25% weight loss. b , c , Percentage change in body weight for individual patients from baseline to week 104 for semaglutide ( b ) and placebo ( c ). Each patient’s percentage change in body weight is plotted as a single bar.

Change in WC

WC change from baseline to 104 weeks has been reported previously in the primary outcome paper 21 . The trajectory of WC change mirrored that of the change in body weight. At week 208, average reduction in WC was −7.7 cm with semaglutide versus −1.3 cm with placebo, with a treatment difference of −6.4 cm (95% CI −7.18 to −5.61; P  < 0.0001) 21 .

WC cutoff points

We analyzed achievement of sex- and race-specific cutoff points for WC by BMI <35 kg m − 2 or ≥35 kg m − 2 , because for BMI >35 kg m − 2 , WC is more difficult technically and, thus, less accurate as a risk predictor 4 , 25 , 26 . Within the SELECT population with BMI <35 kg m − 2 at baseline, 15.0% and 14.3% of the semaglutide and placebo groups, respectively, were below the sex- and race-specific WC cutoff points. At week 104, 41.2% fell below the sex- and race-specific cutoff points for the semaglutide group, compared with only 18.0% for the placebo group (Fig. 3 ).

WC cutoff points; Asian women <80 cm, non-Asian women <88 cm, Asian men <88 cm, non-Asian men <102 cm.

Waist-to-height ratio

At baseline, mean WHtR was 0.66 for the study population. The lowest tertile of the SELECT population at baseline had a mean WHtR <0.62, which is higher than the cutoff point of 0.5 used to indicate increased cardiometabolic risk 27 , suggesting that the trial population had high WCs. At week 208, in the group randomized to semaglutide, there was a relative reduction of 6.9% in WHtR compared with 1.0% in placebo (treatment difference −5.87% points; 95% CI −6.56 to −5.17; P  < 0.0001).

BMI category change

At week 104, 52.4% of patients treated with semaglutide achieved improvement in BMI category compared with 15.7% of those receiving placebo. Proportions of patients in the BMI categories at baseline and week 104 are shown in Fig. 4 , which depicts in-trial patients receiving semaglutide and placebo. The BMI category change reflects the superior weight loss with semaglutide, which resulted in fewer patients being in the higher BMI categories after 104 weeks. In the semaglutide group, 12.0% of patients achieved a BMI <25 kg m − 2 , which is considered the healthy BMI category, compared with 1.2% for placebo; per study inclusion criteria, no patients were in this category at baseline. The proportion of patients with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg m − 2 ) fell from 71.0% to 43.3% in the semaglutide group versus 71.9% to 67.9% in the placebo group.

In the semaglutide group, 12.0% of patients achieved normal weight status at week 104 (from 0% at baseline), compared with 1.2% (from 0% at baseline) for placebo. BMI classes: healthy (BMI <25 kg m − 2 ), overweight (25 to <30 kg m − 2 ), class I obesity (30 to <35 kg m − 2 ), class II obesity (35 to <40 kg m − 2 ) and class III obesity (BMI ≥40 kg m − 2 ).

Weight and anthropometric outcomes by subgroups

The forest plot illustrated in Fig. 5 displays mean body weight percentage change from baseline to week 104 for semaglutide relative to placebo in prespecified subgroups. Similar relationships are depicted for WC changes in prespecified subgroups shown in Extended Data Fig. 1 . The effect of semaglutide (versus placebo) on mean percentage body weight loss as well as reduction in WC was found to be heterogeneous across several population subgroups. Women had a greater difference in mean weight loss with semaglutide versus placebo (−11.1% (95% CI −11.56 to −10.66) versus −7.5% in men (95% CI −7.78 to −7.23); P  < 0.0001). There was a linear relationship between age category and degree of mean weight loss, with younger age being associated with progressively greater mean weight loss, but the actual mean difference by age group is small. Similarly, BMI category had small, although statistically significant, associations. Those with WHtR less than the median experienced slightly lower mean body weight change than those above the median, with estimated treatment differences −8.04% (95% CI −8.37 to −7.70) and −8.99% (95% CI −9.33 to −8.65), respectively ( P  < 0.0001). Patients from Asia and of Asian race experienced slightly lower mean weight loss (estimated treatment difference with semaglutide for Asian race −7.27% (95% CI −8.09 to −6.46; P  = 0.0147) and for Asia −7.30 (95% CI −7.97 to −6.62; P  = 0.0016)). There was no difference in weight loss with semaglutide associated with ethnicity (estimated treatment difference for Hispanic −8.53% (95% CI −9.28 to −7.76) or non-Hispanic −8.52% (95% CI −8.77 to 8.26); P  = 0.9769), glycemic status (estimated treatment difference for prediabetes −8.53% (95% CI −8.83 to −8.24) or normoglycemia −8.48% (95% CI −8.88 to −8.07; P  = 0.8188) or renal function (estimated treatment difference for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 or ≥60 ml min −1  1.73 m − 2 being −8.50% (95% CI −9.23 to −7.76) and −8.52% (95% CI −8.77 to −8.26), respectively ( P  = 0.9519)).

Data from the in-trial period. N  = 17,604. P values represent test of no interaction effect. P values are two-sided and are not adjusted for multiplicity. The dots show estimated treatment differences, and the error bars show 95% CIs. Details of the statistical models are available in Methods . ETD, estimated treatment difference; HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin; MI, myocardial infarction; PAD, peripheral artery disease; sema, semaglutide.

Safety and tolerability according to baseline BMI category

We reported in the primary outcome of the SELECT trial that adverse events (AEs) leading to permanent discontinuation of the trial product occurred in 1,461 patients (16.6%) in the semaglutide group and 718 patients (8.2%) in the placebo group ( P  < 0.001) 21 . For this analysis, we evaluated the cumulative incidence of AEs leading to trial product discontinuation by treatment assignment and by BMI category (Fig. 6 ). For this analysis, with death modeled as a competing risk, we tracked the proportion of in-trial patients for whom drug was withdrawn or interrupted for the first time (Fig. 6 , left) or cumulative discontinuations (Fig. 6 , right). Both panels of Fig. 6 depict a graded increase in the proportion discontinuing semaglutide, but not placebo. For lower BMI classes, discontinuation rates are higher in the semaglutide group but not the placebo group.

Data are in-trial from the full analysis set. sema, semaglutide.

We reported in the primary SELECT analysis that serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported by 2,941 patients (33.4%) in the semaglutide arm and by 3,204 patients (36.4%) in the placebo arm ( P  < 0.001) 21 . For this study, we analyzed SAE rates by person-years of treatment exposure for BMI classes (<30 kg m − 2 , 30 to <35 kg m − 2 , 35 to <40 kg m − 2 , and ≥40 kg m − 2 ) and provide these data in Supplementary Table 2 . We also provide an analysis of the most common categories of SAEs. Semaglutide was associated with lower SAEs, primarily driven by CV event and infections. Within each obesity class (<30 kg m − 2 , 30 to <35 kg m − 2 , 35 to <40 kg m − 2 , and ≥40 kg m − 2 ), there were fewer SAEs in the group receiving semaglutide compared with placebo. Rates (events per 100 years of observation) of SAEs were 43.23, 43.54, 51.07 and 47.06 for semaglutide and 50.48, 49.66, 52.73 and 60.85 for placebo, with no evidence of heterogeneity. There was no detectable difference in hepatobiliary or gastrointestinal SAEs comparing semaglutide with placebo in any of the four BMI classes we evaluated.

The analyses of weight effects of the SELECT study presented here reveal that patients assigned to once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg lost significantly more weight than those receiving placebo. The weight-loss trajectory with semaglutide occurred over 65 weeks and was sustained up to 4 years. Likewise, there were similar improvements in the semaglutide group for anthropometrics (WC and WHtR). The weight loss was associated with a greater proportion of patients receiving semaglutide achieving improvement in BMI category, healthy BMI (<25 kg m − 2 ) and falling below the WC cutoff point above which increased cardiometabolic risk for the sex and race is greater 22 , 23 . Furthermore, both sexes, all races, all body sizes and those from all geographic regions were able to achieve clinically meaningful weight loss. There was no evidence of increased SAEs based on BMI categories, although lower BMI category was associated with increased rates of trial product discontinuation, probably reflecting exposure to a higher level of drug in lower BMI categories. These data, representing the longest clinical trial of the effects of semaglutide versus placebo on weight, establish the safety and durability of semaglutide effects on weight loss and maintenance in a geographically and racially diverse population of adult men and women with overweight and obesity but not diabetes. The implications of weight loss of this degree in such a diverse population suggests that it may be possible to impact the public health burden of the multiple morbidities associated with obesity. Although our trial focused on CV events, many chronic diseases would benefit from effective weight management 28 .

There were variations in the weight-loss response. Individual changes in body weight with semaglutide and placebo were striking; still, 67.8% achieved 5% or more weight loss and 44.2% achieved 10% weight loss with semaglutide at 2 years, compared with 21.3% and 6.9%, respectively, for those receiving placebo. Our first on-treatment analysis demonstrated that those on-drug lost more weight than those in-trial, confirming the effect of drug exposure. With semaglutide, lower BMI was associated with less percentage weight loss, and women lost more weight on average than men (−11.1% versus −7.5% treatment difference from placebo); however, in all cases, clinically meaningful mean weight loss was achieved. Although Asian patients lost less weight on average than patients of other races (−7.3% more than placebo), Asian patients were more likely to be in the lowest BMI category (<30 kg m − 2 ), which is known to be associated with less weight loss, as discussed below. Clinically meaningful weight loss was evident in the semaglutide group within a broad range of baseline categories for glycemia and body anthropometrics. Interestingly, at 2 years, a significant proportion of the semaglutide-treated group fell below the sex- and race-specific WC cutoff points, especially in those with BMI <35 kg m − 2 , and a notable proportion (12.0%) fell below the BMI cutoff point of 25 kg m − 2 , which is deemed a healthy BMI in those without unintentional weight loss. As more robust weight loss is possible with newer medications, achieving and maintaining these cutoff point targets may become important benchmarks for tracking responses.

The overall safety profile did not reveal any new signals from prior studies, and there were no BMI category-related associations with AE reporting. The analysis did reveal that tolerability may differ among specific BMI classes, since more discontinuations occurred with semaglutide among lower BMI classes. Potential contributors may include a possibility of higher drug exposure in lower BMI classes, although other explanations, including differences in motivation and cultural mores regarding body size, cannot be excluded.

Is the weight loss in SELECT less than expected based on prior studies with the drug? In STEP 1, a large phase 3 study of once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg in individuals without diabetes but with BMI >30 kg m − 2 or 27 kg m − 2 with at least one obesity-related comorbidity, the mean weight loss was −14.9% at week 68, compared with −2.4% with placebo 14 . Several reasons may explain the observation that the mean treatment difference was −12.5% in STEP 1 and −8.7% in SELECT. First, SELECT was designed as a CV outcomes trial and not a weight-loss trial, and weight loss was only a supportive secondary endpoint in the trial design. Patients in STEP 1 were desirous of weight loss as a reason for study participation and received structured lifestyle intervention (which included a −500 kcal per day diet with 150 min per week of physical activity). In the SELECT trial, patients did not enroll for the specific purpose of weight loss and received standard of care covering management of CV risk factors, including medical treatment and healthy lifestyle counseling, but without a specific focus on weight loss. Second, the respective study populations were quite different, with STEP 1 including a younger, healthier population with more women (73.1% of the semaglutide arm in STEP 1 versus 27.7% in SELECT) and higher mean BMI (37.8 kg m − 2 versus 33.3 kg m − 2 , respectively) 14 , 21 . Third, major differences existed between the respective trial protocols. Patients in the semaglutide treatment arm of STEP 1 were more likely to be exposed to the medication at the full dose of 2.4 mg than those in SELECT. In SELECT, investigators were allowed to slow, decrease or pause treatment. By 104 weeks, approximately 77% of SELECT patients on dose were receiving the target semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly dose, which is lower than the corresponding proportion of patients in STEP 1 (89.6% were receiving the target dose at week 68) 14 , 21 . Indeed, in our first on-treatment analysis at week 208, weight loss was greater (−11.7% for semaglutide) compared with the in-trial analysis (−10.2% for semaglutide). Taken together, all these issues make less weight loss an expected finding in SELECT, compared with STEP 1.

The SELECT study has some limitations. First, SELECT was not a primary prevention trial, and the data should not be extrapolated to all individuals with overweight and obesity to prevent major adverse CV events. Although the data set is rich in numbers and diversity, it does not have the numbers of individuals in racial subgroups that may have revealed potential differential effects. SELECT also did not include individuals who have excess abnormal body fat but a BMI <27 kg m − 2 . Not all individuals with increased CV risk have BMI ≥27 kg m − 2 . Thus, the study did not include Asian patients who qualify for treatment with obesity medications at lower BMI and WC cutoff points according to guidelines in their countries 29 . We observed that Asian patients were less likely to be in the higher BMI categories of SELECT and that the population of those with BMI <30 kg m − 2 had a higher percentage of Asian race. Asian individuals would probably benefit from weight loss and medication approaches undertaken at lower BMI levels in the secondary prevention of CVD. Future studies should evaluate CV risk reduction in Asian individuals with high CV risk and BMI <27 kg m − 2 . Another limitation is the lack of information on body composition, beyond the anthropometric measures we used. It would be meaningful to have quantitation of fat mass, lean mass and muscle mass, especially given the wide range of body size in the SELECT population.

An interesting observation from this SELECT weight loss data is that when BMI is ≤30 kg m − 2 , weight loss on a percentage basis is less than that observed across higher classes of BMI severity. Furthermore, as BMI exceeds 30 kg m − 2 , weight loss amounts are more similar for class I, II and III obesity. This was also observed in Look AHEAD, a lifestyle intervention study for weight loss 30 . The proportion (percentage) of weight loss seems to be less, on average, in the BMI <30 kg m − 2 category relative to higher BMI categories, despite their receiving of the same treatment and even potentially higher exposure to the drug for weight loss 30 . Weight loss cannot continue indefinitely. There is a plateau of weight that occurs after weight loss with all treatments for weight management. This plateau has been termed the ‘set point’ or ‘settling point’, a body weight that is in harmony with the genetic and environmental determinants of body weight and adiposity 31 . Perhaps persons with BMI <30 kg m − 2 are closer to their settling point and have less weight to lose to reach it. Furthermore, the cardiometabolic benefits of weight loss are driven by reduction in the abnormal ectopic and visceral depots of fat, not by reduction of subcutaneous fat stores in the hips and thighs. The phenotype of cardiometabolic disease but lower BMI (<30 kg m − 2 ) may be one where reduction of excess abnormal and dysfunctional body fat does not require as much body mass reduction to achieve health improvement. We suspect this may be the case and suggest further studies to explore this aspect of weight-loss physiology.

In conclusion, this analysis of the SELECT study supports the broad use of once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg as an aid to CV event reduction in individuals with overweight or obesity without diabetes but with preexisting CVD. Semaglutide 2.4 mg safely and effectively produced clinically significant weight loss in all subgroups based on age, sex, race, glycemia, renal function and anthropometric categories. Furthermore, the weight loss was sustained over 4 years during the trial.

Trial design and participants

The current work complies with all relevant ethical regulations and reports a prespecified analysis of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled SELECT trial ( NCT03574597 ), details of which have been reported in papers describing study design and rationale 32 , baseline characteristics 24 and the primary outcome 21 . SELECT evaluated once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg versus placebo to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiac events (a composite endpoint comprising CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction or nonfatal stroke) in individuals with established CVD and overweight or obesity, without diabetes. The protocol for SELECT was approved by national and institutional regulatory and ethical authorities in each participating country. All patients provided written informed consent before beginning any trial-specific activity. Eligible patients were aged ≥45 years, with a BMI of ≥27 kg m − 2 and established CVD defined as at least one of the following: prior myocardial infarction, prior ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, or symptomatic peripheral artery disease. Additional inclusion and exclusion criteria can be found elsewhere 32 .

Human participants research

The trial protocol was designed by the trial sponsor, Novo Nordisk, and the academic Steering Committee. A global expert panel of physician leaders in participating countries advised on regional operational issues. National and institutional regulatory and ethical authorities approved the protocol, and all patients provided written informed consent.

Study intervention and patient management

Patients were randomly assigned in a double-blind manner and 1:1 ratio to receive once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg or placebo. The starting dose was 0.24 mg once weekly, with dose increases every 4 weeks (to doses of 0.5, 1.0, 1.7 and 2.4 mg per week) until the target dose of 2.4 mg was reached after 16 weeks. Patients who were unable to tolerate dose escalation due to AEs could be managed by extension of dose-escalation intervals, treatment pauses or maintenance at doses below the 2.4 mg per week target dose. Investigators were allowed to reduce the dose of study product if tolerability issues arose. Investigators were provided with guidelines for, and encouraged to follow, evidence-based recommendations for medical treatment and lifestyle counseling to optimize management of underlying CVD as part of the standard of care. The lifestyle counseling was not targeted at weight loss. Additional intervention descriptions are available 32 .

Sex, race, body weight, height and WC measurements

Sex and race were self-reported. Body weight was measured without shoes and only wearing light clothing; it was measured on a digital scale and recorded in kilograms or pounds (one decimal with a precision of 0.1 kg or lb), with preference for using the same scale throughout the trial. The scale was calibrated yearly as a minimum unless the manufacturer certified that calibration of the weight scales was valid for the lifetime of the scale. Height was measured without shoes in centimeters or inches (one decimal with a precision of 0.1 cm or inches). At screening, BMI was calculated by the electronic case report form. WC was defined as the abdominal circumference located midway between the lower rib margin and the iliac crest. Measures were obtained in a standing position with a nonstretchable measuring tape and to the nearest centimeter or inch. The patient was asked to breathe normally. The tape touched the skin but did not compress soft tissue, and twists in the tape were avoided.

The following endpoints relevant to this paper were assessed at randomization (week 0) to years 2, 3 and 4: change in body weight (%); proportion achieving weight loss ≥5%, ≥10%, ≥15% and ≥20%; change in WC (cm); and percentage change in WHtR (cm cm −1 ). Improvement in BMI category (defined as being in a lower BMI class) was assessed at week 104 compared with baseline according to BMI classes: healthy (BMI <25 kg m − 2 ), overweight (25 to <30 kg m − 2 ), class I obesity (30 to <35 kg m − 2 ), class II obesity (35 to <40 kg m − 2 ) and class III obesity (≥40 kg m − 2 ). The proportions of individuals with BMI <35 or ≥35 kg m − 2 who achieved sex- and race-specific cutoff points for WC (indicating increased metabolic risk) were evaluated at week 104. The WC cutoff points were as follows: Asian women <80 cm, non-Asian women <88 cm, Asian men <88 cm and non-Asian men <102 cm.

Overall, 97.1% of the semaglutide group and 96.8% of the placebo group completed the trial. During the study, 30.6% of those assigned to semaglutide did not complete drug treatment, compared with 27.0% for placebo.

Statistical analysis

The statistical analyses for the in-trial period were based on the intention-to-treat principle and included all randomized patients irrespective of adherence to semaglutide or placebo or changes to background medications. Continuous endpoints were analyzed using an analysis of covariance model with treatment as a fixed factor and baseline value of the endpoint as a covariate. Missing data at the landmark visit, for example, week 104, were imputed using a multiple imputation model and done separately for each treatment arm and included baseline value as a covariate and fit to patients having an observed data point (irrespective of adherence to randomized treatment) at week 104. The fit model is used to impute values for all patients with missing data at week 104 to create 500 complete data sets. Rubin’s rules were used to combine the results. Estimated means are provided with s.e.m., and estimated treatment differences are provided with 95% CI. Binary endpoints were analyzed using logistic regression with treatment and baseline value as a covariate, where missing data were imputed by first using multiple imputation as described above and then categorizing the imputed data according to the endpoint, for example, body weight percentage change at week 104 of <0%. Subgroup analyses for continuous and binary endpoints also included the subgroup and interaction between treatment and subgroup as fixed factors. Because some patients in both arms continued to be followed but were off treatment, we also analyzed weight loss by first on-treatment group (observation period until first time being off treatment for >35 days) to assess a more realistic picture of weight loss in those adhering to treatment. CIs were not adjusted for multiplicity and should therefore not be used to infer definitive treatment effects. All statistical analyses were performed with SAS software, version 9.4 TS1M5 (SAS Institute).

Reporting summary

Further information on research design is available in the Nature Portfolio Reporting Summary linked to this article.

Data availability

Data will be shared with bona fide researchers who submit a research proposal approved by the independent review board. Individual patient data will be shared in data sets in a deidentified and anonymized format. Information about data access request proposals can be found at https://www.novonordisk-trials.com/ .

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Acknowledgements

Editorial support was provided by Richard Ogilvy-Stewart of Apollo, OPEN Health Communications, and funded by Novo Nordisk A/S, in accordance with Good Publication Practice guidelines ( www.ismpp.org/gpp-2022 ).

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Contributions

D.H.R., I.L. and S.E.K. contributed to the study design. D.B.H., I.L., D.D., A.K., S.M.M., A.P.v.B., C.C. and J.P.H.W. were study investigators. D.B.H., I.L., D.D., A.K., S.M.M., A.P.v.B., C.C. and J.P.H.W. enrolled patients. D.H.R. was responsible for data analysis and manuscript preparation. All authors contributed to data interpretation, review, revisions and final approval of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Donna H. Ryan .

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Competing interests.

D.H.R. declares having received consulting honoraria from Altimmune, Amgen, Biohaven, Boehringer Ingelheim, Calibrate, Carmot Therapeutics, CinRx, Eli Lilly, Epitomee, Gila Therapeutics, IFA Celtics, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Rhythm, Scientific Intake, Wondr Health and Zealand Pharma; she declares she received stock options from Calibrate, Epitomee, Scientific Intake and Xeno Bioscience. I.L. declares having received research funding (paid to institution) from Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Mylan and Boehringer Ingelheim. I.L. received advisory/consulting fees and/or other support from Altimmune, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Biomea, Boehringer Ingelheim, Carmot Therapeutics, Cytoki Pharma, Eli Lilly, Intercept, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, Mannkind, Mediflix, Merck, Metsera, Novo Nordisk, Pharmaventures, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Shionogi, Structure Therapeutics, Target RWE, Terns Pharmaceuticals, The Comm Group, Valeritas, WebMD and Zealand Pharma. J.D. declares having received consulting honoraria from Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck, Pfizer, Aegerion, Novartis, Sanofi, Takeda, Novo Nordisk and Bayer, and research grants from British Heart Foundation, MRC (UK), NIHR, PHE, MSD, Pfizer, Aegerion, Colgate and Roche. S.E.K. declares having received consulting honoraria from ANI Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Merck, Novo Nordisk and Oramed, and stock options from AltPep. B.B. declares having received honoraria related to participation on this trial and has no financial conflicts related to this publication. H.M.C. declares being a stockholder and serving on an advisory panel for Bayer; receiving research grants from Chief Scientist Office, Diabetes UK, European Commission, IQVIA, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Medical Research Council; serving on an advisory board and speaker’s bureau for Novo Nordisk; and holding stock in Roche Pharmaceuticals. C.C. declares having received consulting honoraria from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Merck, Brace Pharma and Eurofarma. D.D. declares having received consulting honoraria from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim and AstraZeneca, and received research grants through his affiliation from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim and Rhythm. D.B.H. declares having received research grants through her academic affiliation from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, and advisory/consulting honoraria from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Gelesis. A.K. declares having received research grants through his affiliation from Novo Nordisk and Pharmaserve Lilly, and consulting honoraria from Pharmaserve Lilly, Sanofi-Aventis, Novo Nordisk, MSD, AstraZeneca, ELPEN Pharma, Boehringer Ingelheim, Galenica Pharma, Epsilon Health and WinMedica. A.M.L. declares having received honoraria from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Akebia Therapeutics, Ardelyx, Becton Dickinson, Endologix, FibroGen, GSK, Medtronic, Neovasc, Provention Bio, ReCor, BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Alnylam and Intarcia for consulting activities, and research funding to his institution from AbbVie, Esperion, AstraZeneca, CSL Behring, Novartis and Eli Lilly. S.M.M. declares having received consulting honoraria from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Daichii-Sankyo, esanum, Gilead, Ipsen, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Sandoz and Sanofi; he declares he received research grants from AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. J.P. declares having received consulting honoraria from Altimmune, Amgen, Esperion, Merck, MJH Life Sciences, Novartis and Novo Nordisk; he has received a grant, paid to his institution, from Boehringer Ingelheim and holds the position of Director, Preventive Cardiology, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. A.P.v.B. is contracted via the University of Groningen (no personal payment) to undertake consultancy for Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim. J.P.H.W. is contracted via the University of Liverpool (no personal payment) to undertake consultancy for Altimmune, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cytoki, Eli Lilly, Napp, Novo Nordisk, Menarini, Pfizer, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, Saniona, Tern Pharmaceuticals, Shionogi and Ysopia. J.P.H.W. also declares personal honoraria/lecture fees from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Medscape, Napp, Menarini, Novo Nordisk and Rhythm. R.F.K. declares having received consulting honoraria from Novo Nordisk, Weight Watchers, Eli Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, Structure and Altimmune. E.B., G.K.H., O.K.J. and T.K.O. are employees of Novo Nordisk A/S.

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Extended data

Extended data fig. 1 effect of semaglutide treatment or placebo on waist circumference from baseline to week 104 by subgroups..

Data from the in-trial period. N  = 17,604. P values represent test of no interaction effect. P values are two-sided and not adjusted for multiplicity. The dots show estimated treatment differences and the error bars show 95% confidence intervals. Details of the statistical models are available in Methods . BMI, body mass index; CI, confidence interval; CV, cardiovascular; CVD, cardiovascular disease; eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate; ETD, estimated treatment difference; HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin; MI, myocardial infarction; PAD, peripheral artery disease; sema, semaglutide.

Supplementary information

Reporting summary, supplementary tables 1 and 2.

Supplementary Table 1. Baseline characteristics by BMI class. Data are represented as number and percentage of patients. Renal function categories were based on the eGFR as per Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration. Albuminuria categories were based on UACR. Smoking was defined as smoking at least one cigarette or equivalent daily. The category ‘Other’ for CV inclusion criteria includes patients where it is unknown if the patient fulfilled only one or several criteria and patients who were randomized in error and did not fulfill any criteria. Supplementary Table 2. SAEs according to baseline BMI category. P value: two-sided P value from Fisher’s exact test for test of no difference.

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Ryan, D.H., Lingvay, I., Deanfield, J. et al. Long-term weight loss effects of semaglutide in obesity without diabetes in the SELECT trial. Nat Med (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-02996-7

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-02996-7

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Abstract: The superfluid weight of an isolated flat band in multi-orbital superconductors contains contributions from the band's quantum metric and a lattice geometric term that depends on the orbital positions in the lattice. Since the superfluid weight is a measure of the superconductor's energy fluctuation, it is independent of the lattice geometry, leading to the minimal quantum metric of a band. Here, a perturbation approach is developed to study the superfluid weight and its lattice geometric dependence for composite bands. When all orbitals exhibit uniform pairing, the quantum geometric term contains each band's contribution and an inter-band contribution between every pair of bands in the composite. Based on a band representation analysis, they provide a topological lower bound for the superfluid weight of an isolated composite of flat bands. Using this perturbation approach, an analytical expression of the lattice geometric contribution is obtained. It is expressed in terms of Bloch functions, providing a convenient formula to calculate the superfluid weight for multi-orbital superconductors.

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arXivLabs: experimental projects with community collaborators

arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website.

Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them.

Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs .