Wholesale guide · Updated
Blank T-Shirt Weights Explained: oz, GSM and Which to Choose
T-shirt weight is the weight of the fabric per area: ounces per square yard (oz/yd²) in North America, grams per square metre (GSM) elsewhere. Heavier means thicker and more durable; lighter means softer and drapier.
Converting oz/yd² to GSM
Multiply ounces per square yard by 33.9 to get GSM. A 5.3 oz tee is about 180 GSM; a 6.1 oz garment-dyed tee is about 207 GSM.
| oz/yd² | GSM | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8 | 129 | Lightweight |
| 4.2 | 142 | Lightweight |
| 4.5 | 153 | Midweight |
| 5.3 | 180 | Heavyweight |
| 6.1 | 207 | Heavyweight |
| 6.5 | 220 | Super heavyweight |
Popular wholesale tees by weight
| Style | Weight | Feel | From (bulk) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton | 5.3 oz (180 GSM) | Thick, classic boxy fit | $4.17 |
| Gildan 64000 Softstyle | 4.5 oz (153 GSM) | Softer ring-spun, modern fit | $4.77 |
| BELLA + CANVAS 3001 | 4.2 oz (142 GSM) | Retail-soft, slim unisex fit | $9.82 |
| Next Level 3600 | 4.3 oz (146 GSM) | Fitted, smooth print surface | $9.32 |
Which weight should you buy?
- Lightweight (4.0–4.4 oz): retail brands and summer merch; best for DTG and DTF prints
- Midweight (4.5–5.0 oz): the safe middle for giveaways and staff tees
- Heavyweight (5.3 oz and up): uniforms, workwear and the boxy streetwear look; takes screen printing well
Compare more styles
Every wholesale t-shirt page lists fabric, fit, sizes, colours and live bulk pricing.