GSM (grams per square metre) is the primary weight specification for every textile product — it sets handfeel, absorbency, durability and unit cost, since fabric is priced by weight. Standard ranges: retail T-shirts 160–180 GSM; sweatshirts 300–360 GSM; bath towels 450–550 GSM for retail and 600–700 GSM for hotel programmes; bath mats 1,000–1,500 GSM; fleece blankets 240–280 GSM. A 200 GSM T-shirt uses 25% more cotton than a 160 GSM tee of the same dimensions — making GSM the specification that most directly sets fabric cost before anything else is decided.
Apparel GSM Ranges
| Product | Light | Standard | Heavy / premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-shirts (single jersey) | 120–150 (fashion, drapey) | 160–180 (retail standard) | 190–240 (heavyweight, streetwear) |
| Polo shirts (pique) | 170–190 | 200–220 | 230–260 |
| Sweatshirts & hoodies (fleece/terry) | 240–280 | 300–360 | 380–450+ |
| Joggers & sweatpants | 240–280 | 300–340 | 360–400 |
| Woven shirts (poplin/oxford) | 90–110 | 115–135 | 140–160 (brushed/flannel) |
| Denim | 8–10 oz (270–340) | 11–13 oz (370–440) | 14 oz+ (475+, raw/selvedge) |
Home Textile GSM Ranges
| Product | Economy | Retail standard | Premium / hotel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bath towels (terry) | 350–420 | 450–550 | 600–700 |
| Beach towels (velour) | 300–350 | 380–420 | 450–500 |
| Bathrobes | 280–350 | 380–420 | 450–500 |
| Bath mats | 700–900 | 1000–1200 | 1300–1500 |
| Fleece blankets | 180–220 | 240–280 | 300–350 |
| Kitchen towels (waffle/terry) | 150–180 | 200–250 | 260–300 |
Thread Count vs GSM for Bed Linen
Bed linen is specified by thread count (TC = ends + picks per square inch), not GSM — but the two interact. A 300 TC percale of fine combed yarn weighs around 110–120 GSM and feels crisp; a 300 TC sateen of the same yarn weighs slightly more and feels smoother because of the weave, not the count. Above roughly 600 TC, increases come from multi-ply counting rather than genuinely finer construction — at that point compare GSM, yarn fineness and finish instead of the headline TC.
| Bed linen grade | Thread count | Typical construction |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional / hospitality | T-180 – T-200 | Percale, often poly-cotton |
| Retail standard | T-200 – T-300 | 100% cotton percale or sateen |
| Premium retail | T-300 – T-600 | Combed/compact cotton sateen |
| Luxury | T-600+ | Fine-count, often multi-ply — verify construction |
How GSM Affects Cost and Performance
- Cost scales nearly linearly with GSM for the same fabric type — moving a tee from 160 to 180 GSM raises fabric cost ~12%.
- Heavier is not automatically better: a 700 GSM towel absorbs more but dries slowly and raises laundry costs — hotels often deliberately choose 500–550.
- Always specify GSM with a tolerance (±5% is standard) and the state it applies to: finished, relaxed fabric — not greige.
- Verify at inspection with a GSM cutter (100 cm² punch, weighed ×100) — it takes two minutes and prevents the most common silent substitution in the trade.
Unsure which weight fits your market and price point? Send us the product and target retail price through the RFQ — recommending the right construction and GSM band is part of every MZ Global Trading quotation.
GSM verification at pre-shipment inspection is standard on every MZ Global Trading order. Specify your target GSM range and tolerance in the sourcing quote form alongside your product requirements.
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Disclaimer: This content is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal, customs or compliance advice. Always verify requirements against your buyer specification, applicable regulations and your destination market before making commercial decisions.