Fabric GSM Chart for Every Sportswear Garment
The master GSM chart
GSM (grams per square metre) is the weight of one square metre of fabric — the single most useful number when specifying sportswear. The table below is the standard option range for each garment family we manufacture; every order can be specified anywhere inside its range, and outside it on request.
| Garment | Typical fabric | GSM range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match & training jerseys | 100% polyester interlock, mesh or pin-dot mesh | 140–180 | Moisture-wicking finish; mesh moves more air, interlock prints smoother — see what GSM a football jersey should be |
| Polo & pit shirts | Polyester piqué / poly-cotton piqué | 160–240 | Poly-cotton feels softer; pure polyester sublimates edge-to-edge |
| Sports shorts | Polyester interlock / microfibre | 140–180 | Boxing and muay thai use satin at 120–160 GSM for drape and shine |
| Leggings & compression | Nylon-spandex or polyester-spandex, 4-way stretch | 240–300 | 12–20% elastane; this weight band is what makes custom leggings squat-proof |
| Sports bras | Nylon-spandex 4-way stretch | 240–300 | Same band as leggings for matched sets |
| Seamless sets | Nylon-elastane circular knit | 180–260 | Knitted in the round — no side seams |
| Hoodies & joggers | Cotton-polyester fleece | 280–350 | Performance polyester fleece runs 240–300 GSM for lighter training layers |
| Rash guards & spats | Polyester- or nylon-spandex | 180–220 | Flatlock seams standard — see what rash guards are made of |
| BJJ / judo / karate gis | Pearl weave or single weave cotton / poly-cotton | 350–550 (jacket) | Trousers in 8–12 oz ripstop or twill — see the BJJ gi fabric guide |
| Motocross jerseys | Ventilated polyester mesh | 150–180 | MX pants use 600D polyester with reinforced seat and knee |
| Dance & cheer wear | 4-way stretch lycra/spandex blends | 180–220 | Foil, velvet, mesh and sequin options for performance costumes |
| Bags | 600D polyester / 420D nylon | — | Bags are specified in denier (D), not GSM; reinforced base and stitching |
GSM to oz conversion
American suppliers and combat-sports buyers often quote fabric weight in ounces per square yard. The conversion is fixed: 1 oz/yd² equals roughly 33.9 GSM. So a 10 oz gi trouser fabric is about 340 GSM, and a 5 oz jersey fabric is about 170 GSM.
| oz/yd² | Approx. GSM | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 4 oz | ≈135 | Lightest jerseys and liners |
| 5 oz | ≈170 | Standard match jerseys |
| 7 oz | ≈240 | Compression wear, light fleece |
| 10 oz | ≈340 | Gi trousers, lightweight gi jackets |
| 14 oz | ≈475 | Competition gi jackets |
How climate and season move the number
Within each range, pick lighter for heat and heavier for durability. A team playing summer tournaments in the Gulf orders 140–150 GSM mesh jerseys; a northern-European club playing through autumn orders 170–180 GSM interlock. Training kit that is washed three times a week benefits from the top of the range; one-off event shirts can sit at the bottom.
Youth kit usually runs at the same GSM as adult kit — the garment is smaller, not thinner. For cold-weather layers, pair the jersey with a 240–300 GSM performance fleece rather than raising the jersey weight itself.
How to specify GSM in an order
State the garment, the GSM you want, and the composition — for example: "Football match jerseys, 160 GSM, 100% polyester interlock, moisture-wicking finish." If you do not know the number, describe the use (climate, season, wash frequency) and the factory recommends one; the free 24-hour mockup includes a fabric recommendation with the design.
If you have an existing garment you like, weigh it or send it — we match fabric hand-feel and weight against our stock range and confirm the closest option before sampling. Fabric composition and GSM appear on your quotation, and you can verify them on the physical sample before bulk production.
Where to see the fabrics themselves
The fabric and GSM reference lists every fabric family we run — composition, stretch, finish and the garments each suits. For garment-specific depth, the football jersey GSM guide and the BJJ gi fabric guide go further into their categories. ZipaSports manufactures all of these in-house in Sialkot, Pakistan, with a minimum order of 20–25 pieces per design and a free digital mockup within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does GSM mean in fabric?
GSM is grams per square metre — the weight of one square metre of the fabric. Higher GSM means a heavier, denser fabric; lower GSM means a lighter, more breathable one. It is the standard way to specify sportswear fabric weight.
What GSM is best for sports jerseys?
140–180 GSM in 100% polyester interlock or mesh. Hot-climate and summer kit sits at 140–150 GSM; standard match and training jerseys at 150–170 GSM; heavy-wash training kit at 170–180 GSM.
What GSM should gym leggings be?
240–300 GSM in 4-way stretch nylon-spandex or polyester-spandex with 12–20% elastane. Below this band leggings risk turning sheer under stretch; this weight is what makes leggings squat-proof.
How do I convert oz to GSM?
Multiply ounces per square yard by about 33.9. A 10 oz fabric is roughly 340 GSM; a 14 oz competition gi jacket is roughly 475 GSM.
Can I order a custom GSM that is not in the standard range?
Usually yes — the ranges in this chart are stock options, and other weights can be sourced on request. State the GSM and composition you need with your enquiry and the factory confirms availability, sampling time and any fabric minimums with your quote.