GSM Calculator
Calculate the exact weight of any fabric piece from its GSM, length, and breadth.
How it works
GSM (Grams per Square Metre) is the standard unit for measuring fabric weight. To find the actual weight of a fabric piece:
For example, a 100cm × 50cm towel at 500 GSM weighs 250g.
Now the part the calculator can't tell you: the price
You worked out the weight. Here is what that specification actually costs, published openly — indicative FOB Cochin prices at minimum order quantity.
| Product | Spec | FOB price (USD) | MOQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand towel | 450–500 GSM | $0.90–$1.40 /pc | 500 pcs |
| Bath towel — economy | 400–450 GSM | $1.40–$2.20 /pc | 500 pcs |
| Bath towel — mid-range | 500–550 GSM | $2.20–$2.80 /pc | 500 pcs |
| Bath towel — luxury | 600 GSM | $2.80–$3.50 /pc | 500 pcs |
| Bath towel — ultra | 650–700 GSM | $3.80–$5.00 /pc | 500 pcs |
| Pool / beach towel | 480–520 GSM | $2.20–$2.80 /pc | 500 pcs |
| Salon / barber towel | 400–450 GSM | $1.10–$1.60 /pc | 500 pcs |
| Gym towel | 400–450 GSM | $1.20–$1.70 /pc | 500 pcs |
| Bath mat | 800–1000 GSM | $1.80–$2.80 /pc | 500 pcs |
How the price moves with volume
Most suppliers will not show you this curve. Here it is.
| Order size | Where you land | Typical buyer |
|---|---|---|
| 500–999 pcs | Base price | First orders and trial runs sit here. |
| 1,000–2,499 pcs | 8–12% off | Typical for a 40–80 room hotel annual restock. |
| 2,500–4,999 pcs | 15–20% off | Multi-property and small distributor volume. |
| 5,000–9,999 pcs | 22–27% off | Distributor and hotel-group programmes. |
| 10,000+ pcs | 30–35% off | Full-container programmes, quoted per run. |
In plain terms
- Hand towel (450–500 GSM) costs $0.90–$1.40 per piece FOB Cochin at a minimum order of 500 pcs, produced in 30–45 days.
- Bath towel — economy (400–450 GSM) costs $1.40–$2.20 per piece FOB Cochin at a minimum order of 500 pcs, produced in 30–45 days.
- Bath towel — mid-range (500–550 GSM) costs $2.20–$2.80 per piece FOB Cochin at a minimum order of 500 pcs, produced in 30–45 days.
- Bath towel — luxury (600 GSM) costs $2.80–$3.50 per piece FOB Cochin at a minimum order of 500 pcs, produced in 30–45 days.
- Bath towel — ultra (650–700 GSM) costs $3.80–$5.00 per piece FOB Cochin at a minimum order of 500 pcs, produced in 30–45 days.
- Pool / beach towel (480–520 GSM) costs $2.20–$2.80 per piece FOB Cochin at a minimum order of 500 pcs, produced in 30–45 days.
- Salon / barber towel (400–450 GSM) costs $1.10–$1.60 per piece FOB Cochin at a minimum order of 500 pcs, produced in 30–45 days.
- Gym towel (400–450 GSM) costs $1.20–$1.70 per piece FOB Cochin at a minimum order of 500 pcs, produced in 30–45 days.
- Bath mat (800–1000 GSM) costs $1.80–$2.80 per piece FOB Cochin at a minimum order of 500 pcs, produced in 30–45 days.
Bands are indicative and reviewed quarterly. Cotton is a traded commodity — a firm quote against your exact specification is free and takes one working day.
Two easy ways to start
No account, no sales call, no import paperwork to fill in. Pick whichever suits you.
Buying a full container, or need Incoterms and compliance documents? Use the full RFQ form.
Common questions
What does GSM mean in textiles?+
GSM stands for Grams per Square Metre. It is the standard unit used to measure the weight and density of fabric. Higher GSM means a heavier, denser, and typically more absorbent fabric.
What GSM is best for hotel bath towels?+
Hotel bath towels typically use 500–600 GSM. Budget hospitality uses 400–500 GSM, while luxury five-star hotels prefer 600–700 GSM for a premium, plush feel.
How do I calculate the weight of a towel from its GSM?+
Multiply the length (cm) × breadth (cm) × GSM, then divide by 10,000. For example: a 70cm × 140cm bath towel at 500 GSM weighs 490g.
What is the difference between 400 GSM and 600 GSM towels?+
400 GSM towels are lightweight and quick-drying - suited for gyms, airlines, and budget hospitality. 600 GSM towels are dense, highly absorbent, and slow-drying - used in luxury hotels and spas.
What GSM is used for bed sheets?+
Bed sheets are measured in Thread Count (TC) rather than GSM. However, equivalent fabric weights range from 80–120 GSM for percale sheets (200–400 TC) to 120–160 GSM for sateen or heavier weaves (400–600 TC).
What is your minimum order — can I buy just one carton?+
Our standard minimum is 500 pcs / SKU for towels, 200 sets / spec for bed linen, and 200 pcs / style for bathrobes. "Per SKU" means per size and colour combination. We can run 300 pcs (trial run, small premium) for a genuine first trial. Below roughly 300 pieces we are honestly the wrong supplier — a loom set-up and a dye lot cost the same whether you order 100 towels or 1,000, so the per-piece price stops making sense for you. At that size a local wholesaler will serve you better, and we would rather tell you that than waste your week.
How much does a sample cost and how fast do I get it?+
2 free pcs per spec — you pay courier only. Courier from Kerala to most countries runs $35–$60 via DHL or FedEx and arrives in 7–14 days. We recommend asking for two GSM weights side by side — most buyers change their mind about weight once they hold both. Sample cost is credited back against your first bulk order.
How do I pay, and what protects me if the goods are wrong?+
30% advance, 70% against B/L copy — so 70% of your money is still with you when the goods leave the port. You get photos of the actual production run before the balance is due. You can also appoint a third-party inspector (SGS, Bureau Veritas or Intertek, roughly $300–$500 for a single inspection) to check the goods at our factory before you release the balance; we will schedule it and give them access. If a shipment does not match the approved sample, we remake or credit it.
Do I need an import licence to buy this?+
In most countries, no — not for commercial quantities of ordinary cotton textiles. In the US, UK, EU, UAE, Australia and Canada, a business tax or VAT registration number is normally all that is required, and your freight forwarder or customs broker files the entry for you. Some markets do require an importer registration (Saudi Arabia and Egypt among them). Tell us your country and we will tell you plainly what you need before you commit any money.
What does it cost delivered to my door, not FOB?+
FOB means the price to get goods loaded onto the ship at Cochin port — freight, duty and local delivery are on top. As a rough guide, sea freight adds $0.15–$0.45 per towel on a shared container and less on a full one; import duty is typically 6–12% depending on your country. We quote CIF (freight included) or DDP (everything included, delivered to your address) on request, so you can compare one final number instead of guessing. Our landed-cost calculator does the arithmetic for you.
Can I order without any certification requirement?+
Yes, absolutely. Certification is not a hoop we make you jump through — it is simply how we already manufacture. Every piece is made under OEKO-TEX Standard 100 whether you ask for the certificate or not, and it costs you nothing extra. If you do not need the paperwork, do not ask for it and nothing about your order or price changes. Buyers who supply hotel groups or EU retailers usually want the documents; an Airbnb host or a salon owner almost never does.
How long from order to goods in my hands?+
30–45 days for production, plus shipping. Sea freight is 10–16 days to the Gulf, 22–30 days to Europe and the UK, 28–38 days to the US east coast, and 18–25 days to Australia. Air freight cuts that to 3–5 days but costs roughly 6–8× more per kilo, so it is worth it for samples and rarely worth it for bulk. Plan on about 8–10 weeks door to door for a first sea shipment.
How do I know you are a real factory and not a middleman?+
Fair question, and one you should ask everyone. We are a manufacturer in Kerala, India — you can video-call the floor during Indian working hours with no notice, and we will walk the looms and the dye house for you. We will also give you our IEC (Import Export Code) and GST registration to verify independently. A trading company will usually decline a live unscheduled video call, which is the cheapest test you can run on any supplier.
Can you put my brand on it?+
Yes. Woven labels, printed care labels, embroidered logos, custom packaging and retail barcodes are all standard. Logo embroidery adds about $0.30–$0.60 per piece; a custom woven label adds about $0.06–$0.12. Private-label MOQ is 2,000 pieces per SKU rather than 500, because the label and packaging themselves carry a minimum run.
Related pages
Free Sourcing Tools
12 calculators - GSM, par stock, container load, landed cost, MOQ, lead time.
Container Loading Calculator
How many towels or sheet sets fit in a 20ft or 40ft container.
Par Level Calculator
How much linen a property actually needs, by room count.
How to Calculate Landed Cost for Linen
FOB + freight + insurance + duty + broker + delivery - full formula.
