Micron to Gauge conversion chart
When it comes to plastic film and flexible packaging, thickness is one of the most important specifications to understand. Unfortunately, there are several different ways thickness is measured—including gauge, micron, and mil—and the terminology can be confusing if you’re not used to it. To help eliminate confusion, we’ve created a micron to gauge conversion chart that makes it easy to find the correct thickness for stretch film, shrink film, poly bags, and other packaging materials.
Understanding Plastic Gauge Measurements
Plastic gauge is a unit of measure used specifically for film products. It’s important to note that plastic gauge is not the same as wire gauge. For wire, a higher gauge number means a thinner wire. For plastic film, the opposite is true—the higher the gauge number, the thicker the film. This can cause a lot of misunderstanding, which is why having a quick conversion reference is so useful.
Common Thickness References for Everyday Items
To give you a better sense of scale, here are some household products and their typical thicknesses:
- Home Use Saran Wrap – usually 35–40 gauge in thickness. This makes it very thin, clear, and clingy, ideal for wrapping food in the kitchen.
- Home Use Ziplock Bags – typically 1.5–2 mil thick. A “mil” equals one-thousandth of an inch, so 2 mil bags are strong enough for everyday storage and light freezer use.
- Heavy-Duty Trash Bags – generally 2–3 mil thick. This thicker material provides the strength and puncture resistance needed for larger or heavier loads.
Why Conversion Matters
Because different manufacturers, distributors, and industries use different measurement systems, knowing how to convert between micron, gauge, and mil ensures you order the right packaging film for your needs. A shrink wrap manufacturer might list thickness in gauge, while a stretch film supplier might list it in microns. Without a conversion chart, it can be difficult to compare products side by side.
Using the Conversion Chart
Below, you’ll find our micron to gauge conversion chart, followed by a list of standard packaging thicknesses used across the industry. Whether you’re looking for pallet stretch film, food packaging film, poly bags, or shrink wrap, this chart will help you quickly identify the correct film thickness for your application..
| Gauge | Mil | Micron | Millimeter | Inch | Centimeter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | .30 | 7.6 | .0076 | .0003 | .000762 |
| 40 | .40 | 10 | .0101 | .0004 | .001016 |
| 50 | .50 | 12.5 | .0127 | .0005 | .00127 |
| 60 | .60 | 15 | .0152 | .0006 | .001524 |
| 75 | .75 | 19 | .0190 | .0007 | .001905 |
| 80 | .80 | 20 | .0203 | .0008 | .002032 |
| 90 | .90 | 23 | .0228 | .0009 | .002286 |
| 100 | 1.0 | 25 | .0254 | .0010 | .00254 |
| 120 | 1.2 | 30 | .0304 | .0012 | .003048 |
| 150 | 1.5 | 38 | .0380 | .0015 | .00381 |
| 160 | 1.6 | 40 | .0406 | .0016 | .004064 |
| 180 | 1.8 | 45 | .0457 | .0018 | .004572 |
| 200 | 2.0 | 50 | .0508 | .0020 | .00508 |
Common Stretch Film Thicknesses
34-50 Gauge Wellspring Max™ Hand Stretch Film
70 Gauge Wellspring Flex™ Hand Stretch Film
80 Gauge Wellspring Grip™ Hand Stretch Film
63 Gauge Wellspring Core™ Machine Stretch Film
70 gauge Wellspring Edge™ Machine Stretch Film
80 gauge Wellspring Peak™ Machine Stretch Film
Common Vented Stretch Film Thicknesses
36 Gauge LiteStretch 50% Hand Vented Stretch Film
48 Gauge LiteStretch 50% Machine Vented Stretch Film
120 Gauge PowerStretch 250% Vented Stretch Film