About

Textile procurement often involves a critical unit mismatch. Suppliers frequently sell fabric by weight (kilograms) while production teams consume it by length (meters). This discrepancy creates a blind spot in inventory management, costing, and yield estimation. Accurate conversion relies on the interaction between the fabric"s specific density, known as GSM (Grams per Square Meter), and the roll width. This tool bridges that gap by calculating the precise linear length of a fabric roll without the need to unroll and measure it physically.

Miscalculating available yardage affects production runs and profit margins. If the actual GSM varies slightly from the specification, the total length of a 500kg batch can deviate significantly. This calculator handles the conversion between mass and length variables, allowing for precise checking of incoming stock against purchase orders. It also functions in reverse to determine the actual GSM if the weight and length are known.

Formulas

The core relationship connects the total mass of the roll to its surface area and specific density. Since GSM is defined as grams per square meter, the formula derives length by isolating the linear dimension from the area equation.

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L = Wkg × 1000wm × GSM (Find Length)GSM = Wkg × 1000wm × L (Find Density)

Where L is Length in meters, Wkg is Total Weight in kilograms, wm is Roll Width in meters, and GSM is Grams per Square Meter. The factor 1000 converts kilograms to grams to match the GSM unit.

Reference Data

Fabric Type	Common GSM Range (g/m²)	Typical Application	Est. Length per 1kg (1.5m Width)
Chiffon / Organza	30 - 60	Evening wear, Overlays	11.1 - 22.2 m
Voile / Lawn	60 - 90	Summer dresses, Blouses	7.4 - 11.1 m
Poplin / Calico	100 - 140	Shirting, Bedding	4.7 - 6.6 m
Jersey Knit	120 - 200	T-shirts, Dresses	3.3 - 5.5 m
Twill / Chino	200 - 300	Pants, Jackets	2.2 - 3.3 m
Denim (Lightweight)	270 - 340	Shirts, Summer Jeans	1.9 - 2.4 m
Denim (Heavyweight)	400 - 550	Classic Jeans, Jackets	1.2 - 1.6 m
French Terry	250 - 350	Hoodies, Sweatpants	1.9 - 2.6 m
Canvas / Duck	300 - 600	Bags, Upholstery	1.1 - 2.2 m
Melton Wool	500 - 700	Coats, Winter wear	0.9 - 1.3 m
Upholstery Velvet	400 - 650	Furniture, Curtains	1.0 - 1.6 m

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, significantly. For a fixed weight, a wider roll yields fewer linear meters because the mass is distributed over a larger width. For example, 1kg of 150gsm fabric will be 6.66m long at 1.0m width, but only 4.44m long at 1.5m width.

Discrepancies usually arise from three factors: variations in actual GSM (textile tolerances are often ±5%), the weight of the cardboard tube (tare weight) not being subtracted, or moisture absorption (hygroscopic gain) in natural fibers like cotton or wool.

The primary calculation uses metric units. However, you can convert oz/yd² to GSM before inputting. Multiply oz/yd² by 33.906 to get GSM.

Full Width includes the selvage (edges). Cuttable Width is the usable area. When calculating yield for garments, use Cuttable Width. When checking the weight of the roll received from a mill, use Full Width, as the selvage contributes to the total mass.

Always subtract the tare weight of the core (tube) from the gross weight. A typical heavy cardboard core for a 50m roll can weigh between 0.5kg and 1.5kg. Failure to subtract this results in an overestimation of fabric length.