Basis Weight Measurement Formula and Cycle
Basis weight measurement is the total weight, in pounds, of a ream of paper. A ream of paper is 500 sheets and is the standard ordering unit for paper. Because paper comes in different sizes and widths, the basis weight of paper can vary from ream to ream. One way to calculate basis weight involves using both metric and customary (inches) units in a formula. To do this you will need a scale, a metric ruler and a normal ruler. Press the zeroing button on the scale and wait until it reads 0. Place one sheet of paper on the scale, then take it off to measure its length and width with the metric ruler. Multiply its length and width to get its area in square meters. For example, if the paper is .2 meters by .7 meters, its area is .14 meters. Divide the mass of the paper in grams by its area in square meters. Using the example above, if the paper has a mass of 5 grams, you would divide 5 by .14 and get 35.7. Measure the length and width of the paper in inches, then multiply the tw...