Paperboard Thickness Guide: 8 PT to 28 PT
Compare 8 PT to 28 PT paperboard with exact nominal millimeters, published GSM examples, and clear starting uses for printed packaging.
PT measures nominal paperboard thickness: one point is 0.001 inch, or 0.0254 mm. GSM measures weight per square meter, so it is not a fixed PT conversion. Compare 8–14 PT for light printed components, 16–18 PT for retail cartons, and 20–28 PT where folding and structure need closer review.
Light printed components
Compare these lower calipers for cards, tags, insert cards, sleeves, and light cartons—not loaded or shipping cartons.
Retail cartons
A practical comparison range for product cartons. Board grade, panel size, insert, closure, and product weight still decide the final specification.
Thicker folding board
Use a more substantial caliper only with crease, fold, closure, and structural review.
Paperboard thickness chart: 8 PT to 28 PT
Paperboard points measure nominal thickness: 1 PT = 0.001 inch = 0.0254 mm. GSM measures weight per square meter. They are related by the board’s construction, but one is not a fixed conversion of the other.
- Nominal thickness
- 0.2032 mm
- Published GSM examples
- 177 GSM
- Starting use
- Light printed cards, tags, insert cards, or sleeves
- Nominal thickness
- 0.2540 mm
- Published GSM examples
- 195–202 GSM
- Starting use
- Light printed cards, tags, insert cards, or sleeves
- Nominal thickness
- 0.3048 mm
- Published GSM examples
- 227–250 GSM
- Starting use
- Light cartons or sleeves
- Nominal thickness
- 0.3556 mm
- Published GSM examples
- 255–275 GSM
- Starting use
- Light cartons or sleeves
- Nominal thickness
- 0.4064 mm
- Published GSM examples
- 284–300 GSM
- Starting use
- Retail product cartons
- Nominal thickness
- 0.4572 mm
- Published GSM examples
- 311–350 GSM
- Starting use
- Retail product cartons
- Nominal thickness
- 0.5080 mm
- Published GSM examples
- 335–345 GSM
- Starting use
- Thicker folding board; review creases and structure
- Nominal thickness
- 0.6096 mm
- Published GSM examples
- 396–407 GSM
- Starting use
- Thicker folding board; review creases and structure
- Nominal thickness
- 0.7112 mm
- Published GSM examples
- 462–527 GSM
- Starting use
- Thicker folding board; review creases and structure
| Caliper | Nominal thickness | Published GSM examples | Starting use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 PT | 0.2032 mm | 177 GSM | Light printed cards, tags, insert cards, or sleeves |
| 10 PT | 0.2540 mm | 195–202 GSM | Light printed cards, tags, insert cards, or sleeves |
| 12 PT | 0.3048 mm | 227–250 GSM | Light cartons or sleeves |
| 14 PT | 0.3556 mm | 255–275 GSM | Light cartons or sleeves |
| 16 PT | 0.4064 mm | 284–300 GSM | Retail product cartons |
| 18 PT | 0.4572 mm | 311–350 GSM | Retail product cartons |
| 20 PT | 0.5080 mm | 335–345 GSM | Thicker folding board; review creases and structure |
| 24 PT | 0.6096 mm | 396–407 GSM | Thicker folding board; review creases and structure |
| 28 PT | 0.7112 mm | 462–527 GSM | Thicker folding board; review creases and structure |
*These are published stock examples from Sappi Spectro C1S, Smurfit Westrock PrintKote, and PakFactory’s nominal stock guide. GSM varies by board grade; confirm the selected stock with your quote.*
How to use the chart
Lower calipers can suit light printed components, but are not a recommendation for shipping or loaded cartons. 12 PT and 14 PT are useful comparisons for light cartons and sleeves. 16 PT and 18 PT are a useful retail-carton comparison. At 20 PT, 24 PT, and 28 PT, creasing, folding, closure, panel size, and product support deserve closer review.
The table gives a starting point, not a payload rating. Windows, inserts, grain direction, board grade, moisture, and the final structure can all change the right selection.
C1S, C2S, rigid board, and corrugated board
C1S means coated one side; C2S means coated two sides. Those terms describe the printing surface, not a universal strength or weight. A rigid presentation box uses a separate core plus wrap; 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm cores are useful project references. Corrugated board uses liners and a fluted medium, so its formation and flute profile need review separately from paperboard PT.
Formation is not flute
Single face board has one liner and one flute. Single wall has two liners and one flute. Double wall has three liners and two flutes; triple wall has four liners and three flutes. F, E, B, C, and A are flute profiles, ordered from thinner to deeper. A deeper flute is not automatically a double-wall board.
Use the complete pack, dimensions, fragility, handling, and transit conditions to choose corrugated board. Generic caliper and flute letters do not establish a safe load rating.
Match the material to the packaging job
- Starting comparison
- 16 PT or 18 PT folding board for an individual outer carton
- Review before choosing
- Product weight, panel size, window, closure, insert, and intended feel
- Starting comparison
- 12 PT or 14 PT paperboard
- Review before choosing
- Product support, folding, print surface, and the final structure
- Starting comparison
- Folding board around an already packed product
- Review before choosing
- Contact, barrier, grease, moisture, temperature, and storage conditions
- Starting comparison
- Corrugated ear-lock mailer board with a selected formation and flute
- Review before choosing
- Packed product, insert, handling, and delivery conditions
- Starting comparison
- 1.5 mm or 2.0 mm rigid core plus wrap and insert
- Review before choosing
- Product arrangement, box span, opening style, and finished presentation
| Packaging need | Starting comparison | Review before choosing |
|---|---|---|
| Retail and cosmetics | 16 PT or 18 PT folding board for an individual outer carton | Product weight, panel size, window, closure, insert, and intended feel |
| Light cartons and sleeves | 12 PT or 14 PT paperboard | Product support, folding, print surface, and the final structure |
| Food or beverage secondary packs | Folding board around an already packed product | Contact, barrier, grease, moisture, temperature, and storage conditions |
| Ecommerce presentations | Corrugated ear-lock mailer board with a selected formation and flute | Packed product, insert, handling, and delivery conditions |
| Premium sets and gifts | 1.5 mm or 2.0 mm rigid core plus wrap and insert | Product arrangement, box span, opening style, and finished presentation |
Rigid-core thickness is separate from folding-board PT, and its wrap and lining add to the finished wall. Food-contact, liquid-contact, and barrier requirements need their own material review.
Start with the product and structure
Send the product, dimensions, quantity, target look, and intended use. If PT, board family, or flute is undecided, leave it open for review. You can request a quick quote with the details you have.
Frequently asked questions
Sources used for this guide
Sappi Spectro C1S specifications
The grade-properties table pairs caliper with GSM for this SBS grade; one mil is one paperboard point.
Open primary source ↗Smurfit Westrock PrintKote specifications
North American grade specifications list nominal thickness and GSM for PrintKote paperboard.
Open primary source ↗PakFactory paperboard guide
Its nominal stock table provides the 12, 14, 16, 18, 24, and 28 PT published examples used for the upper span.
Open primary source ↗PakFactory corrugated board explainer
Reference for corrugated liner-and-flute formation and approximate common flute profiles.
Open primary source ↗ESKA board specifications
Producer data lists solid-board thicknesses including 1.5 and 2.0 mm; a finished rigid box also includes its wrap and lining.
Open primary source ↗DS Smith fluting guide
Reference explaining how flute profiles and complete corrugated construction affect packaging choices.
Open primary source ↗Fibre Box Association corrugated guide
Independent industry reference for single-face, single-wall, double-wall, and triple-wall layer counts; flute profiles vary by design.
Open primary source ↗Plan your packaging project
Materials and finishes
Match the board family with printing, surface, and finish options.
Explore details →Custom tuck boxes
Explore a folding-carton structure for retail and cosmetic outer packaging.
Explore details →Corrugated mailer boxes
Review the format alongside the product and delivery requirements.
Explore details →Get help choosing a material
Send the product and intended use, even when the material is still open.
Explore details →
