T-shirt weight is fabric weight per area: US brands quote ounces per square yard, most others quote grams per square meter (GSM). One oz/yd² equals 33.9 GSM, so a 4.2 oz Bella+Canvas 3001 is about 142 GSM and a 6.1 oz Comfort Colors 1717 about 207 GSM. At French Press Custom in Santa Fe Springs, we print both and every weight between.
Weight is the fastest way to know how a shirt will feel before you touch it. Below is a conversion table, the weight classes with real blanks from our catalog, which weight suits which job, and one small table showing what a light and a heavy tee cost printed.
How do you convert ounces to GSM?
Multiply ounces per square yard by 33.906 to get GSM. Divide GSM by 33.906 to get ounces. Here are the weights you will actually see on tee spec sheets.
| oz/yd² | GSM (g/m²) | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8 | 129 | Bella+Canvas 3413 tri-blend |
| 4.2 | 142 | Bella+Canvas 3001, Next Level 6010 |
| 4.3 | 146 | Next Level 3600 |
| 4.5 | 153 | Gildan 64000, Gildan 980 |
| 5.0 | 170 | Between midweight and heavyweight |
| 5.3 | 180 | Gildan 5000, Stanley/Stella Creator 2.0 |
| 5.5 | 186 | Gildan 8000 DryBlend |
| 6.0 | 203 | Gildan 2000, Hanes 5250, Bella+Canvas 3010 |
| 6.1 | 207 | Comfort Colors 1717, Hanes 5180 |
| 6.5 | 220 | Upper end of heavyweight |
| 7.2 | 244 | Tultex 299 |
| 7.5 | 254 | Shaka Wear SHMHSS, Bella+Canvas 4610 |
| 8.0 | 271 | Light fleece, like the Bella+Canvas 3759 |
Going the other way: 150 GSM is 4.4 oz, 180 GSM is 5.3 oz, 200 GSM is 5.9 oz, 220 GSM is 6.5 oz, 250 GSM is 7.4 oz, and 300 GSM is 8.8 oz. Garment weights are from the S&S Activewear catalog descriptions, except the Creator 2.0, which Stanley/Stella lists as 5.3 oz/yd² (180 g/m²), matching the conversion.
Why do some tags show a bigger number?
Canadian listings measure ounces per linear yard of the fabric roll, not per square yard. In our catalog, the Bella+Canvas 3001 is listed as 4.2 oz/yd² (US) and 7 oz/L yd (CA), and the Gildan 5000 as 5.3 oz/yd² (US) and 8.8 oz/L yd (CA). Same fabric, different measure. Only compare US numbers with US numbers.
What are the t-shirt weight classes?
There is no official standard, but this is how the trade, and our shop, groups tees.
| Class | oz/yd² | GSM | Feel | Catalog examples (weight) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight | under 4.5 | under 153 | Thin, soft, drapes close to the body | Bella+Canvas 3413 (3.8 oz), Bella+Canvas 3001 (4.2 oz), Next Level 3600 (4.3 oz) |
| Midweight | 4.5 to 5.9 | 153 to 200 | Everyday tee, some structure | Gildan 64000 (4.5 oz), Gildan 5000 (5.3 oz), Gildan 8000 (5.5 oz) |
| Heavyweight | 6.0 to 6.9 | 203 to 234 | Thick, holds its shape, premium hand | Gildan 2000 (6 oz), Bella+Canvas 3010 (6 oz), Comfort Colors 1717 (6.1 oz) |
| Super heavyweight | 7.0 and up | 237 and up | Dense, boxy streetwear | Tultex 299 (7.2 oz), Shaka Wear SHMHSS (7.5 oz), Bella+Canvas 4610 (7.5 oz) |
Does a heavier shirt mean better quality?
Not by itself. Weight tells you how thick the fabric is, not how soft or well made it is. A 4.2 oz combed ring-spun Bella+Canvas 3001 feels softer than many 6 oz tees, because the yarn is finer: the 3001 is 32 singles, the 6 oz Gildan 2000 is 18 singles. Our guide to t-shirt fabric types explains yarn and singles.
What weight does tell you:
- Drape and fit. Light tees fall close to the body. Heavyweights stand off it and look boxier.
- Opacity. Heavier fabric is less see-through, which matters on white and light colors.
- Durability of the fabric. Heavier knits resist stretching out at the collar and hem.
- Season. Light tees are cooler in a Southern California summer. Heavyweights layer well in fall.
Which weight should you choose?
| Use | Suggested class | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Summer events, races, outdoor festivals | Lightweight | Cool and breathable |
| Retail brand tees and band merch | Lightweight or heavyweight | Light for a fitted retail look, heavy for a premium boxy look |
| Staff and work shirts | Midweight | Durable, holds shape through frequent washing |
| School, club and giveaway shirts | Midweight | Lowest cost per piece with a sturdy feel |
| Streetwear and premium brand drops | Heavyweight or super heavyweight | Structure and a high-end hand |
| Full-color DTG prints | Lightweight or midweight ring-spun | Smooth face for detail |
For the heaviest blanks side by side, see best heavyweight blank t-shirts. For brand comparisons, see Gildan 64000 vs Bella+Canvas 3001 vs Next Level 3600 and Comfort Colors 1717 vs Bella+Canvas 3001 vs Gildan 5000.
Does weight change how a shirt prints?
All of these weights print well. A few differences are worth knowing:
- Heavyweights hold more ink without showing through and keep a print flat and steady on press.
- Lightweights show the print's hand more. A big solid plastisol print on a 3.8 oz tri-blend feels heavier than the same print on a 6 oz tee. Water-based or discharge ink keeps light tees soft. See water-based vs plastisol ink.
- Embroidery wants weight. Stitching pulls on thin knits. Small logos are fine on a midweight; larger designs belong on a heavyweight or a polo.
- Weight and shrink are separate questions. Shrinkage depends on fiber and finish. Garment-dyed tees like the 1717 are dyed after sewing, and Comfort Colors describes them as having minimal shrinkage.
Light vs heavy tee: what does it cost printed?
The print price is the same on every blank. What changes is the blank. These are real per-piece prices from our quote engine for a 1-color front screen print on black.
| Blank | Weight | 50 pcs, S to XL | 100 pcs, S to XL | 50 pcs, 2XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bella+Canvas 3001 | 4.2 oz (142 GSM) | $13.86 | $11.80 | $16.47 |
| Gildan 5000 | 5.3 oz (180 GSM) | $11.11 | $9.05 | $13.95 |
| Gildan 2000 | 6 oz (203 GSM) | $11.62 | $9.56 | $14.35 |
| Comfort Colors 1717 | 6.1 oz (207 GSM) | $17.38 | $15.32 | $19.99 |
| Shaka Wear SHMHSS | 7.5 oz (254 GSM) | $15.51 | $13.45 | $18.63 |
Prices are per piece, before tax, with setup and the white underbase included. Sizes 2XL and up carry a supplier upcharge, and the calculator prices every size in your mix.
The surprise for most buyers: weight does not set the price. The 6 oz Gildan 2000 costs less printed than the 4.2 oz Bella+Canvas 3001, because a finer combed ring-spun yarn and a retail cut cost more than extra cotton. You are paying for feel and fit as much as for ounces.
Our take
When a customer cannot decide between a light and a heavy tee, we suggest ordering one of each as a sample before the full run. DTG has no minimum, so a single printed shirt is easy, and holding a 4.2 oz and a 6.1 oz tee side by side settles the question in seconds. On dark shirts, any weight gets a white underbase under the colors so they stay bright, and it is already in the prices above.
Ordering from Los Angeles or Orange County
- Where we are. 14130 Rosecrans Ave, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, serving Los Angeles and Orange County.
- Minimums. DTG none, DTF 12, embroidery 24, screen printing 36 pieces per design.
- Timing. About 2-3 weeks after art approval. Rush available depending on the schedule. Tell us your date.
- Contact. Mon-Fri 8am-4pm PT, (562) 407-3800, sales@frenchpresscustom.com.
Browse every weight in our t-shirt catalog, see screen printing, or price your shirts now.
Frequently asked questions
How many GSM is a 6 oz t-shirt?
About 203 GSM. Multiply ounces per square yard by 33.906 to get grams per square meter.
What GSM is a heavyweight t-shirt?
Heavyweight tees usually start around 200 GSM, which is about 6 oz/yd². Super heavyweight tees run 240 GSM and up, like the 7.5 oz (254 GSM) Shaka Wear SHMHSS.
Is 180 GSM a good t-shirt weight?
Yes. 180 GSM is about 5.3 oz, the weight of the Gildan 5000 and Stanley/Stella Creator 2.0, a durable midweight that suits everyday wear and printing.
Is a 4.2 oz t-shirt too thin?
No, it is a standard lightweight retail tee. The Bella+Canvas 3001 is 4.2 oz and is one of the most printed tees for brands, because it is soft and has a smooth face for printing.
Are heavier t-shirts more expensive to print?
The print costs the same on every blank; only the blank price changes. A 1-color front on 50 black tees is $11.62 each on a 6 oz Gildan 2000 and $13.86 on a 4.2 oz Bella+Canvas 3001, before tax.
What weight t-shirt is best for screen printing?
Any weight from about 4.2 to 7.5 oz screen prints well. Midweight and heavyweight cotton hold ink most steadily, and lightweights feel best with water-based or discharge ink.
Why does the same shirt list two different weights?
Canadian listings use ounces per linear yard of fabric instead of per square yard. The Bella+Canvas 3001 is 4.2 oz/yd² in the US and 7 oz/L yd in Canada.
