20 lb vs. 24 lb vs. 32 lb Paper: A Plain-English Weight Guide
Last Updated:Last updated: November 9, 2026
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Quick answer
20 lb is standard copy paper (light, cheap, fine for everyday text). 24 lb is the home/office sweet spot — about 20% heavier, with less show-through and a firmer feel for pennies more. 28 lb is a step toward premium, and 32 lb is presentation-grade — thick, opaque and stiff, the paper a resume or proposal should be printed on. For a laser printer, 24 lb is the everyday choice and 32 lb (often sold as "laser" paper at 98–100 brightness) is for color and client-facing work.
What "20 lb" actually measures
A sheet of 20 lb paper doesn't weigh 20 pounds. The number is the weight of 500 sheets of the paper at its uncut "basis size" — for bond paper, a 17" x 22" parent sheet. The takeaway: higher number = heavier, thicker, stiffer sheet.
20 lb vs 24 lb Paper
24 lb paper (~90 gsm) is about 20% heavier than 20 lb (~75 gsm). In practice that means noticeably less show-through on two-sided prints, a sturdier feel in the hand, and slightly richer color. 20 lb is fine for drafts, internal documents and high-volume printing; 24 lb is better for anything you hand to someone else. The cost difference is usually well under a penny per sheet.
24 lb vs 32 lb Paper (Including Laser Paper)
32 lb (~120 gsm) is a third heavier than 24 lb and feels distinctly premium: almost no show-through, crisp edges and a stiff sheet that holds up in a folder. Many "laser" premium papers come in both weights — for example 24 lb and 32 lb versions at 98–100 brightness. Choose 24 lb laser paper for everyday office printing on a laser printer, and 32 lb laser paper for color presentations, proposals, resumes and marketing pieces where the paper is part of the impression. Most laser printers feed 32 lb from the main tray, but check your printer's maximum.
28 lb vs 24 lb Paper
28 lb (~105 gsm) sits between the two: heavier and more opaque than 24 lb, without the price of 32 lb. It's a good choice for client reports, color brochures printed in-house, and double-sided documents.
20 lb vs 22 lb Paper
22 lb (~83 gsm) is a modest step up from 20 lb — slightly more opaque and less flimsy, but most people won't notice much difference. If you're upgrading from 20 lb, going straight to 24 lb gives a more noticeable improvement.
The weights you'll see most
20 lb bond (~75 GSM) — Standard copy paper
Thin, lightweight and cheap — perfect for high-volume printing where the paper isn't the point. Tradeoffs: more show-through on duplex prints and slightly washed-out color.
Best for: internal documents, drafts, faxes, scratch printing.
👉 Shop 20 lb copy paper on Amazon
24 lb bond (~90 GSM) — Multipurpose paper
The single best default for most homes and small offices. Many premium multipurpose papers are 24 lb at 96–98 brightness.
Best for: everyday office printing, client documents, color reports. If you only stock one paper, make it this one.
👉 Shop 24 lb multipurpose paper on Amazon
32 lb bond (~120 GSM) — Premium / presentation paper
Heavier and stiffer, holds color beautifully and has near-zero show-through. Roughly 3–4x the cost per sheet of copy paper, so save it for documents that matter.
Best for: resumes, proposals, presentations, certificates.
👉 Shop 32 lb premium paper on Amazon
Quick comparison table
| Weight | GSM | Approx. thickness | Feel | Best use | Cost per sheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 lb | ~75 | ~4 mil | Light, thin | Everyday copies, drafts | Lowest |
| 22 lb | ~83 | ~4.2 mil | Slightly firmer | Everyday, a little nicer | Low |
| 24 lb | ~90 | ~4.5–5 mil | Solid, professional | Office default, color docs | Slight premium |
| 28 lb | ~105 | ~5 mil | Noticeably heavy | Client-facing reports | About 2x |
| 32 lb | ~120 | ~5.5–6 mil | Premium, stiff | Resumes, presentations | 3–4x |
Thickness varies by brand and finish, so treat those figures as approximate.
What Is 24 lb Paper? What Is 32 lb Paper?
24 lb paper is a mid-weight bond paper (about 90 gsm) sold as "multipurpose" or "premium multipurpose" — the everyday upgrade over copy paper. 32 lb paper is a heavyweight bond paper (about 120 gsm) sold as premium, presentation or "laser" paper. Both are text-weight papers, not cardstock.
Will heavier paper jam my printer?
Sometimes. Every printer has a maximum paper weight in its spec sheet. Most home printers handle up to 24–32 lb from the main tray; heavier stock usually needs the rear or manual feed. Going beyond the rating risks jams, double-feeds and, on lasers, incomplete toner fusing (smudging — see why prints smudge).
- For 24 lb and lighter, load it in the main tray and forget about it.
- For 28 lb and heavier, select a "heavy paper" setting in the driver, and use the manual feed if the main tray struggles.
What about cover/cardstock weights?
Cardstock uses a different "cover" scale, which is why gsm is useful for comparing. Roughly: 65 lb cover ≈ 175 gsm (light cardstock), 80 lb cover ≈ 216 gsm (standard cardstock), 110 lb cover ≈ 300 gsm (heavy cardstock). For invitations, see the best cardstock for invitations.
Pick your paper in 10 seconds
- Daily printing? 20 lb copy paper.
- One paper for everything? 24 lb multipurpose, 96 brightness.
- Resume, proposal or presentation? 32 lb premium, 98+ brightness.
- Invitations or cards? 65–110 lb cover (cardstock).
- Photos? Dedicated photo paper — see Printer Paper 101 for brightness and finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 24 lb paper good for resumes?
It's acceptable, but 28–32 lb feels more professional and is the usual recommendation for printed resumes.
Is heavier paper better for double-sided printing?
Yes. 24 lb and up shows far less through the page than 20 lb.
Does heavier paper use more ink or toner?
No, though very absorbent paper can make ink look slightly lighter.
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