Polythene film packaging guide

Plastic sheeting, tubing and bags are measured by their thickness and is expressed in gauge (imperial) or microns (metric).

Gauge relates to thickness. Each 100 gauge is 1 thousandth of an inch.

Microns are thousandths of a millimeter.

Gauge can also be related to microns by dividing the gauge by 4.

Gauge thickness conversion chart

Gauge	Micron	Millimeter	Inch
30	7.6	0.0076	0.0003
40	10	0.0101	0.0004
50	12.5	0.0127	0.0005
60	15	0.0152	0.0006
75	19	0.0190	0.0007
80	20	0.0203	0.0008
90	23	0.0228	0.0009
100	25	0.0254	0.0010
120	30	0.0304	0.0012
150	38	0.0380	0.0015
160	40	0.0406	0.0016
180	45	0.0457	0.0018
200	50	0.0508	0.0020

Film thickness guide

Economy duty film thickness	Exceptionally lightweight and for use on lightweight items. 80 gauge (20 micron). Predominantly used for keeping goods clean, dry and visible.
Light duty film thickness	Light duty film has superb clarity. 100 gauge (25 micron) 120 gauge (30 micron). Predominantly used for keeping items clean and dust free.
Medium duty film thickness	Medium duty film is ideal for packing smooth items. 150 gauge (38 micron).
Heavy duty film thickness	Heavy duty film is suitable for items with sharpe edges. 200 gauge (50 micron).
Strong film thickness	Strong film does not tear easily. Suitable for carrying heavy items. 250 gauge (62 micron) 400 gauge (100 micron) 500 gauge (125 micron)