How many microns? Film thickness guide, micron to mm table
A micron is 0.001 mm, so 30-micron film is 0.03 mm. Which thickness fits retail bags, dry food, industrial loads and pallet stretch, with a micron to mm table.
By Alireza Ahmadi, Production line specialist
The right thickness is set by the weight of the contents, the packing method and the transit route: 20-30 microns for light retail bags, 30-50 for dry food, 60-100 for heavy industrial loads, and 17-23 for pallet stretch film.
"How many microns?" is the question we are asked most often before an order, and it is almost always answered with a guess. Three things decide the real number: the weight and shape of the contents, how the pack is closed, and the journey it makes to the customer. This guide is what our engineers say on the phone.
What exactly is a micron?
A micron is one thousandth of a millimetre, so 50-micron film is half a tenth of a millimetre thick. The higher the number, the thicker and heavier the film, and the fewer square metres each kilogram covers. Within one material a thicker film usually resists tearing and puncture better, but strength also depends on the resin grade and how the film was made, so a micron figure alone does not rate strength. That makes thickness both a technical and a commercial decision: every extra 10 microns raises the cost of each pack.
How many microns in a millimetre?
One millimetre is 1,000 microns, and one micron is 0.001 mm. To convert microns to millimetres divide by 1,000; to go the other way multiply by 1,000. So 30-micron film is 0.03 mm, 50 microns is 0.05 mm and 100 microns is a tenth of a millimetre. The unit's formal name is the micrometre; "micron" is its older name and the one the packaging trade still uses, because the thicknesses that matter here sit between 0.017 and 0.1 mm and are easier to say and hear correctly as 17 to 100.
How thick is 30 microns?
30 microns is 0.03 mm, three hundredths of a millimetre. Confirm the printing thickness for the film material, press and artwork; 30 microns is not a universal minimum. Approve a printed sample of the same film before the production run.
| Microns | Millimetres | Where it sits in this guide |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | 0.017 | Bottom of the pallet stretch range |
| 20 | 0.02 | Light retail bags and household bin liners |
| 30 | 0.03 | Printing suitability depends on film and press |
| 50 | 0.05 | Top of the dry food and nuts range |
| 80 | 0.08 | Top of the industrial and hospital bin liner range |
| 100 | 0.1 | Top of the industrial goods range |
Quick selection table
| Application | Usual thickness | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Light retail bags, folded apparel | 20-30 micron | Clarity matters more than strength |
| Dry food, nuts and dried fruit | 30-50 micron | The seal must survive sharp edges |
| Confectionery and printed packs | 30-40 micron | A flatter surface prints cleaner |
| Industrial goods, hardware | 60-100 micron | Sharp edges need more thickness |
| Household bin liners | 20-30 micron | Stretch matters more than thickness |
| Industrial and clinical waste bags | 50-80 micron | Heavy and wet loads |
| Pallet stretch film | 17-23 micron | Stretch, not gauge, holds the load |
| Heat shrink over cartons and bottles | 30-60 micron | Depends on load height and tunnel |
Three common mistakes
1. Raising the gauge to stop tearing
In most tearing cases the gauge is not the culprit — the seal is, or a sharp corner on the product. Test a sample with the real contents first. If the tear starts at the seam, more microns only raise the cost.
2. Judging stretch film by thickness
What restrains a pallet is the film's stretch and cling, not its raw gauge. A high-stretch 17-micron film usually outperforms a weak 25-micron one, and costs less.
3. Going too thin for print
Confirm the printing thickness for the film material, press and artwork; 30 microns is not a universal minimum. Approve a printed sample of the same film before the production run.
How to decide without guessing?
- 1Write down the real weight and dimensions of the contents — a filled pack, not an estimate.
- 2State how it closes: heat seal, zip, adhesive or shrink tunnel.
- 3Account for the route: warehouse, road freight, export or retail shelf.
- 4Take a sample with your own product and test it before committing to a bulk run.
Navid Selfon produces film in custom widths and thicknesses and sends a sample before the bulk run, so the number on paper matches the number on the line.
Not sure which thickness your order needs? Send the product specification and our engineers will propose one.
Request advice and a sampleWhat thickness is right for food packaging bags?
For dry food, 30 to 50 microns is usually enough. For products with sharp edges such as nuts, take the top of that range and pay attention to seal quality.
Is thicker film always better?
No. More thickness means more cost per pack, and in stretch film it can even reduce performance because stretch falls away. Match the gauge to the contents and the packing method.
Can I order a custom thickness?
Yes. Production runs to custom thickness and width, and a sample is sent before the bulk run.
