How to Calculate GSM Without GSM Cutter?

Fabric is the most important item in the fashion business. Fabric thicker and thinner problem is a serious issue in garment production. Thus garment merchandiser has to keep an eye on fabric quality very carefully. A garments merchandiser has little scope to follow up fabric manufacturing process. As they are so busy they just pass the buyer’s requirement and instructions (Fabric type, Fabric swatch, Color Assortment, and GSM) to the fabric manufacturer for fabric development. Once the manufacturer develops sample fabric then they send fabric yds to garments merchandiser for buyer approval. Garments merchandiser has to check fabric quality, color, GSM before sending the fabric swatch to buyer for buyer approval. Take samples from different points of the fabric roll if possible, because GSM can vary from one location to another.

If GSM cutter is not available then a garments merchandiser can easily identify the correct fabric GSM by using following GSM calculation method. Today, we are going to present the GSM calculation method in this article. According to ASTM D3776/D3776M, fabric mass per unit area is determined by weighing a specimen of known area, so this method is useful for quick in-house checking.

A garments merchandiser can count fabric GSM without using GSM cutter. Textile engineer, garments merchandisers or everyone has to know GSM calculation method. A higher GSM usually means a heavier fabric, but yarn count, structure, and finishing also affect the final feel.

What is GSM?

GSM stands on gram per square meter. GSM or “grams per square meter” is a metric measurement used to determine the density of a fabric. It is expressed by (gm/m²). It is the main parameter in fabric production. GSM count is essential in knitting fabric. It is controlled by loop length. If loop length increases GSM will decrease and vice versa. In knit fabric, GSM is often checked with the same yarn and construction, because even small changes in loop length can change the result.

What is GSM Cutter?

GSM cutter is one sort of simple round-cutting device that cuts 1/100 of a square meter of fabric area. By pressing upon GSM cutting device, you will get a round fabric piece. In other words, it gives you a known area that can be weighed and converted into GSM.

What Are the Benefits of Knowing GSM?

If you know fabric GSM then you can get some benefits like:

1. GSM can help you choose the right fabric for your desired look and feel
2. It can help you to determine the right threads count for your production. If you’re going to produce thicker fabric then you need to use heavier thread but if you’re going to produce thinner fabric, then you need to use finer thread.
3. Thicker fabrics will be more structured while thinner fabrics will often have a more fluid drape.

Without GSM Cutter How Do You Get Fabric GSM?

We can follow the following steps to get fabric GSM without using any GSM cutter: Use a flat sample and do not stretch the fabric while cutting or weighing, because stretching can reduce the measured GSM.

• To calculate GSM, first you need a scale and a ruler. A digital weighing scale is better because the reading is easier to note in grams.
• Collect a fabric piece that is 1 meter by 1 meter. You do not need a full 1 meter by 1 meter piece if you are only checking GSM, but the fabric area must be known accurately.
• Pick fabric yds and cut 5pcs fabric samples (10cm × 10cm) from the different points of the fabric. (Here 10cm is in length and 10cm is in width). Take the samples from the body, middle and side areas so the average result is more reliable.
• Measure each fabric sample weight one by one and mark it by pen.
• Calculate the fabric sample area by multiplying length and width. If the sample is 10cm × 10cm, the area is 100 cm^2, or 0.01 m².
• Calculate the average weight of the fabric sample. Use all 5pcs weights to get one average, because a single piece may be slightly lighter or heavier than the others.

Now we can get the fabric GSM by inputting “fabric sample area” and “average sample weight” in the following formula.

GSM = Average sample weight in grams ÷ Sample area in square meters. For a 10cm × 10cm sample, GSM = sample weight × 100.

GSM calculation formula while GSM cutter is not available

Example:

Suppose,
5pcs (10cm × 10cm) size fabric sample chronological weights are 1.82gm, 1.85gm, 1.83gm, 1.85gm and 1.82gm respectively.

Now,
Find out the average weight of (10cm × 10cm) size fabric sample is,

= 1.834gm

And,
Multiply the sample fabric area = fabric sample length × fabric sample width
= (10 × 10)
= 100 cm2

Now,
GSM (in case of without using GSM cutter),

= 183.4

So, fabric GSM is 183.4

This method is simple, but you will get a better result if you take samples from different places and weigh them on a level balance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How do you calculate fabric GSM without a GSM cutter?

Ans: Weigh a sample with a known area and divide the weight by that area in square meters. If you use a 10cm × 10cm sample, multiply the sample weight in grams by 100.

Q2. What is the GSM formula for fabric?

Ans: GSM = weight in grams ÷ area in square meters. For small samples, the easiest shortcut is to calculate the sample weight and area first, then convert it to GSM.

Q3. How do I calculate GSM from a 10cm × 10cm fabric sample?

Ans: Weigh the 10cm × 10cm sample in grams and multiply the result by 100. Since the sample area is 0.01 m², this gives the GSM directly.

Q4. Does higher GSM mean thicker fabric?

Ans: Usually, yes, because a higher GSM means more fabric weight per square meter. But yarn type, knit or weave structure, and finishing can also change how thick or heavy the fabric feels.

Q5. Can I use a digital scale to measure GSM?

Ans: Yes, a digital scale is fine if it gives an accurate reading in grams. For small fabric samples, a stable and level balance will give a more reliable GSM result.