How Much Does a Paper Notebook Weigh? A Useful Guide
Knowing the weight of a notebook is important for a variety of reasons. For example, if you’re traveling and need to pack light, knowing the weight of your notebook can help you decide whether or not to bring it along.
A paper notebook can weigh anywhere from 2.5 ounces to 4 pounds depending on the size, type of cover, the material used in the production of the notebook paper, and the number of pages it contains.
Dive into our easy-to-follow article to understand why notebook weight matters, how much does a paper notebook weigh? Explore factors that influence it, and find the perfect notebook for you to enhance your writing experience.

Table of Contents
Why does notebook weight matter?
Notebook weight matters for several reasons. Firstly, it impacts portability and ease of use because lighter notebooks are generally more portable than heavier ones.
Secondly, the weight of the notebook also affects its durability as thicker covers and pages can withstand wear-and-tear better than thinner materials commonly found in cheaper alternatives.
Thirdly, paper quality is often linked to notebook weight since heavier papers tend to resist ink bleeding through or smudging, providing clearer writing surfaces that look neat and tidy which helps improve the overall handwriting experience.
With all these factors in mind, choosing a suitable notebook based on its weight is crucial for ensuring an optimal user experience that meets one’s individual preferences.
How much does a paper notebook weigh?
If you’re looking for specific information on how much a paper notebook weighs, we’ve got you covered.
Here is a table displaying different types of notebooks and their corresponding weights and thickness.
Notebook Types | Size of the Notebook | Number of Pages | Weight in Grams | Weight in pounds |
---|---|---|---|---|
A5 Leather Notebooks | 21 x 14.5cm | 200 | 400g | 0.88lb |
Spiral Notebook | 20cm x 28cm | 50 | 408g | 0.9 lbs |
Moleskine Classic Notebook | 12.7 x 20.9cm | 240 | 335g | 0.73lb |
Pocket Notebooks | 10.5 x 14.8cm | 128 | 200g | 0.44lb |
Hardcover Notebooks | 21 x 29.7 cm | 460 | 453g | 1.00lb |
A4 Notebook | 21 × 29.7 cm | 200 | 544 | 1.2lb |
It’s important to note that these weights are just averages and can vary depending on the factors that I discussed below. So, keep reading.
Factors affecting the weight of the paper notebook
The following are some of the significant factors that affect the weight of paper notebooks.
Size of the notebook paper
The size of a notebook paper plays an essential role in determining its overall weight. Generally, smaller notebooks weigh less than larger ones. For example, an A4-sized notebook would be heavier than an A5-sized one due to its size.
The notebook’s dimensions play an important role in deciding whether your book is portable enough for carrying around daily or not. Here is the list of different sizes of notebooks and their average weights:
Different Sizes of Notebook paper | Average Weight in grams | Average Weight in pound |
---|---|---|
A0 ( 84.1 x 118.8 cm) | 80 to 90 grams | 0.17 to 0.19 lb |
A1 (59.4 x 84.1 cm) | 40 to 45 grams | 0.08 to 0.09 lb |
A2 ( 42.0 x 59.4 cm) | 20 to 22.5 grams | 0.04 to 0.05 lb |
A3 (29.7 x 42.0 cm) | 10 to 11.2 grams | 0.02 to 0.025 lb |
A4 (21.0 x 29.7 cm) | 5 to 5.75 grams | 0.011 to 0.0126 lb |
A5 (14.8 x 21.0 cm) | 2.5 to 2.8 grams | 0.005 to 0.006 lb |
A6 (10.5 x 14.8 cm) | 1.25 to 1.43 grams | 0.00315 lb |
A7 (7.4 x 10.5 cm) | 0.63 to 0.70 grams | 0.00154 lb |
A8 (5.2 x 7.4 cm) | 0.31 to 0.39 grams | 0.00085 lb |
Number of pages
The number of pages is another critical factor in determining the weight of a notebook. According to Wikipedia average weight of a sheet of paper is around 5g (0.18 oz), meaning that every additional page adds to this weight.
In short thicker notebooks containing more pages have more mass and hence weigh more than the thinner notebook containing fewer pages.
The thickness of the paper
The thickness or quality (GSM) of the paper used in making a notebook also impacts its overall weight. Typically, higher GSM implies thicker sheets which add up to greater mass.
The quality or GSM (grams per square meter) affects not only how thick paper feels but also its overall mass and bulkiness. Here’s a comparison chart for typical weights based on different types:
The thickness of the paper in GSM | Average Weight in a pound | Average Weight in Ounce |
---|---|---|
60 GSM | 41 lbs | 656 oz |
80 GSM | 54 lbs | 864 oz |
100 GSM | 68 lbs | 1088 oz |
120 GSM | 80 lbs | 1280 oz |
200 GSM | 135 lbs | 2160 oz |
250 GSM | 169 lbs | 2704 oz |
300 GSM | 202 lbs | 3232 oz |
Type of notebook covers
Different cover types like hardcover or softcover significantly impact how heavy your notepad feels in hand due to their materials’ variations used during production.
For example, hardcovers are usually thicker and denser than soft covers because they need more material to support their structure and durability.
Here’s an overview of some common notebook cover materials with corresponding weights:
- Leather: Typically weighs between 0.75 ounces(21 grams) to 2 ounces(57 grams)
- Cardboard: Ranges from about 0.25 ounces(7 grams) to 1 ounce(28grams), depending on thickness
- Plastic/Polyester: Variations range from 0.25 ounces(7grams) to 0.50 ounces(14gram)
Brand of the notebook
Brand reputation plays a significant role when it comes to stationery products such as notebooks since varying brands use diverse materials leading to varying weights.
Some popular brands might have higher-quality paper which results in heavier books while others may cut corners by using thinner sheets resulting in lighter ones instead.
What is the best weight for a paper notebook?
The ideal weight for a notebook varies depending on an individual’s preferences and needs since it comes down to balancing usability with portability.
Lighter notebooks are generally more portable but may sacrifice durability due to thinner materials used during production compared to heavier ones.
We suggest considering choosing a range that balances both portability and usability based on your usage requirements.
Which notebook has the best paper quality?
When it comes to selecting high-quality paper notebooks among brands, several factors come into play like smoothness, ink compatibility & drying time along with resistance against water damage or bleeding through pages.
While there are many options available in the market today our personal recommendation would be the “Five Star Spiral Notebook by Mead” (available on Amazon).
It has been my go-to choice ever since I started college because its heavyweight cover ensures durable protection from everyday wear and tear while its perforated pages make assignment preparation easy.

Not only this spiral-bound writing pad provides better handwriting control than most other competitors but also its reinforced storage pockets help keep loose sheets organized and safe.
Additionally, it comes at affordable prices which makes it even more accessible for students on a budget.
You can purchase this notebook from Amazon today by clicking on the given link above. I assure you that you’ll have the best writing experience with top-notch paper quality.
Does the weight of the paper affect handwriting?
According to a study published in Britannica by Kenneth W. Britt, the weight of the paper can indeed affect handwriting.
The heavier the paper, the less likely it is to bleed through or smudge due to its ability to resist ink absorption.
However, using heavy-weight papers may also make writing more challenging since they require additional pressure from your hand when writing on them.
Additionally, factors such as texture and thickness may indirectly impact writing experiences.
I encourage you to try different paper weights and notebook types while keeping your personal preferences in mind for optimal writing outcomes.
How much does a school notebook weigh?
The average weight of a standard school notebook size 8.5 x 11 inches with 30 Pages is around 0.54-0.63 pounds.
However, this number is just an approximation and can vary depending upon factors discussed earlier like size, thickness of pages, or cover materials used during production.
For example, individual notebooks with fewer pages will be lighter than ones with more pages that add up significant mass.
Standard Weight Range for Paper Notebooks
The weight of the notebook that people generally use varies according to their personal preferences and needs.
Some prefer lighter notebooks for ease of portability, while others may opt for heavier ones due to their durability or paper quality.
As per our research findings based on multiple sources online including Amazon & stationery websites- the most commonly available notebooks fall within a weight range between 0.2 -1 pound(90g-450g).
It’s important to note that this range can vary depending on other factors mentioned earlier in this article like size, page count along with quality/thickness/texture of papers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting an appropriate notebook based on its weight should be given careful consideration because it impacts usability and portability aspects significantly.
Moreover, different sizes/types/materials have varying effects which might directly influence user experience while handling notebooks in day-to-day life.
By following the guidelines provided above concerning various factors affecting notebook weights ranging from dimensions & cover types down to GSM(thickness) level you’ll find the perfect notebook for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1: Can the weight of a notebook impact hand fatigue?
The weight of a notebook can impact hand fatigue. Frequent and prolonged use of hand tools can cause soreness, aches, pains, and fatigue.
2: How much does an A5 NoteBook weigh?
The weight of an A5 notebook is approximately 270g. However, the weight of an A5 sheet of paper with a weight of 100 g/m² is 3.125 grams.
3: How much does a spiral notebook weigh?
A spiral notebook weighs around 0.5-1.5 pounds depending on the number of pages and the size of the notebook.