Paper weight is the most confusing spec on the label and the one that matters most. Too light and your marker bleeds through. Too heavy and you're paying for paper you don't need. Here's what gsm actually measures, what each weight range is actually good for, and how the major drawing papers stack up — with nothing hidden.

What gsm actually measures

GSM stands for grams per square meter. It's the weight of a single sheet, measured as if that sheet were exactly one square meter. Higher number, heavier — and usually thicker — paper.

The other common measurement is pounds (lb), which is the weight of 500 sheets of that paper at its standard production size. The trap: that standard size is different for different paper types, so "80lb cover stock" and "80lb drawing paper" can be totally different weights. Always trust gsm over lb when you're comparing papers.

Rough conversions (drawing paper)

• 60lb  ≈  90gsm

• 80lb  ≈  130gsm

• 90lb  ≈  160gsm

• 100lb  ≈  176gsm

• 140lb  ≈  300gsm

What each weight range is actually good for

70–90gsm — Notepad weight

This is the weight of a legal pad, a cheap notebook, or a Field Notes-style memo book. Fine for pencil, pen, and light sketching. Too light for heavy colored pencil layering, wet or heavy markers, or anything you want to push. Most pocket notebooks sit here, which is the main reason most pocket notebooks aren't great for drawing.

120–140gsm — Sketchbook weight

The sweet spot for a general-use sketchbook. Handles pencil, colored pencil, fineliner, ballpoint, gel pen, and most light marker work. Heavy enough that you can sketch on both sides of the page without seeing too much through. Our Uglybooks sketchbooks are 135gsm — meaningfully heavier than standard Moleskine (around 70–90gsm in most of their lines) or Field Notes (around 50–70gsm).

150–175gsm — Drawing and pastel paper weight

This is professional drawing paper territory. 160gsm is Canson Mi-Teintes and Fabriano Tiziano — the two most iconic colored papers in the market. 175gsm is Uglypads and Uglysheets — a touch heavier, which helps with heavy colored pencil layering and gouache. Handles everything a 135gsm sketchbook does, plus heavier burnishing, more layering, and more aggressive erasing.

200–300gsm — Heavyweight and watercolor

Most drawing work doesn't need this. It's overkill for dry media. This is for watercolor, heavy mixed media, and situations where the paper has to hold up to soaking. For pure dry-media drawing, 175gsm is as heavy as you'll ever need to go.

A side-by-side

The honest tradeoff

Heavier paper isn't always better. It costs more per sheet, takes up more space, and gives you fewer pages per pad or sketchbook. A 175gsm pad of 25 sheets is the same physical thickness as a 135gsm pad of 32 sheets — you're trading sheet count for weight.

The right weight is whatever your media actually needs. Sketching in pencil and ballpoint on the subway? 135gsm is plenty. Doing serious colored pencil or gouache in the studio? 175gsm gives you the room to push.

A rule of thumb

If you're thinking about the paper while you work, it's the wrong paper. Good paper disappears into the drawing.

Pick the lightest weight that handles your media without complaint. Don't overthink it.

See also

The Complete Guide to Colored Paper for Artists in 2026 Read more Colored Paper vs. White Paper: Which Should You Draw On? Read more