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March 1, 2022
Leather thickness and weight are two of the most important factors to consider when choosing leather for a project. The thickness of the leather will determine how strong and durable it is, while the weight will affect how easy it is to work with.
It is important to select a leather that is thin enough to be pliable, but thick enough to withstand wear and tear. The weight of the leather should also be considered, as lighter leathers may be more comfortable to work with but may not be as strong. Ultimately, the best leather for your project will depend on its intended use and your personal preferences.
Leather weight is typically measured in ounces per square foot (oz/sq ft). It is important to note that this is a measure of the entire hide, not just the usable portion. It is recommended to know or estimate the leather weight when ordering leather because it will determine how much you need to purchase.
Leather thickness is measured in ounces, and can be done with a caliper or a ruler. It refers to the amount of leather necessary to make one square foot. The higher the number of ounces, the thicker the leather.
1 oz ≈ 0.4 mm
To be precisely, one ounce is equal to 1/64 inches or 0.015625 inches, and one inch is equal to 25.4 millimeters.This means that one ounce of leather would be 0.396875 mm thick.
Number of ounces x 0.396875
For example 8 ounces: 8 x 0.396875 = 3.175 mm
Number of ounces x 0.4
For example 8 ounces: 8 x 0.4 = 3.2 mm
1 mm ≈ 2.5 oz
To convert millimeters to ounces accurately, divide the number of millimeters by 25.4 and then multiply the result by 64.
Number of millimeters / 25.4 x 64
For example 6 millimeters: 6 / 25.4 x 64 = 15.11811 oz
Number of ounces x 2.5
For example 6 millimeters: 6 x 2.5 = 15 mm
The table below shows the approximate thickness of various leather weights.
| Ounce Thickness | Inch Thickness | Millimeter Thickness |
| 0 - 1 oz | 0 - 1/64″ | 0 - 0.4 mm |
| 1 - 2 oz | 1/64″ - 1/32″ | 0.4 - 0.8 mm |
| 2 - 3 oz | 1/32″ - 3/64″ | 0.8 - 1.2 mm |
| 3 - 4 oz | 3/64″ - 1/16″ | 1.2 - 1.6 mm |
| 4 - 5 oz | 1/16″ - 5/64″ | 1.6 - 2.0 mm |
| 5 - 6 oz | 5/64″ - 3/32″ | 2.0 - 2.4 mm |
| 6 - 7 oz | 3/32″ - 7/64″ | 2.4 - 2.8 mm |
| 7 - 8 oz | 7/64″ - 1/8″ | 2.8 - 3.2 mm |
| 8 - 9 oz | 1/8″ - 9/64″ | 3.2 - 3.6 mm |
| 9 - 10 oz | 9/64″ - 5/32″ | 3.6 - 4.0 mm |
| 10 - 11 oz | 5/32″ - 11/64″ | 4.0 - 4.4 mm |
| 11 - 12 oz | 11/64″ - 3/16″ | 4.4 - 4.8 mm |
| 12 - 13 oz | 3/16″ - 13/64″ | 4.8 - 5.2 mm |
| 13 - 14 oz | 13/64″ - 7/32″ | 5.2 - 5.6 mm |
| 14 - 15 oz | 7/32″ - 15/64″ | 5.6 - 6.0 mm |
| 15 - 16 oz | 15/64″ - 1/4″ | 6.0 - 6.4 mm |
| 16 - 17 oz | 1/4″ - 17/64″ | 6.4 - 6.8 mm |
| 17 - 18 oz | 17/64″ - 9/32″ | 6.8 - 7.2 mm |
| 18 - 19 oz | 9/32″ - 19/64″ | 7.2 - 7.6 |
| 19 - 20 oz | 19/64″ - 5/16″ | 7.6 - 8.0 |
Weight and thickness are two different ways of measuring leather. Weight is a measure of how much a hide weighs per square foot, while thickness is a measure of how much leather is necessary to make one square foot.
The best way to choose the right weight and thickness for your project is to consider the intended use of the leather. If you need a strong, durable leather, you will want to choose a thicker leather. If you need a softer, more pliable leather, you will want to choose a thinner leather.
The weight of the leather should also be considered, as lighter leathers may be more comfortable to work with but may not be as strong. Ultimately, the best leather for your project will depend on its intended use and your personal preferences.
It is important to take into account the tanning process of the leather you are working with as it will greatly affect both the weight and thickness of the hide. The weight of the leather is usually determined by the type of animal it came from as well as how it was tanned. For example, a cowhide will typically be heavier than a deer hide. The tanning process also plays a role in the weight of the leather. Vegetable-tanned leather is usually heavier than chrome-tanned leather and oil tanned leather.
The most common weights and thicknesses of leather vary depending on the type of leather. Full grain leather, for example, is typically between 3-4 ounces, while top grain leather is typically between 2-3 ounces.
Thicker leather is more durable and will last longer, but it can be more difficult to work with. Thinner leather is more pliable and easier to work with, but it may not be as strong or durable.
If you are having difficulty working with the leather, it may be too thick. If the leather is tearing or stretching, it may be too thin. Ultimately, the best leather for your project will depend on its intended use and your personal preferences.
With different leather weights and thickesses available in the industry, it is also helpful to know what they are generally used for. Below is a chart including most common uses for different weights and thicknesses of leather.
| Leather weight | Common uses |
| 1 - 2 oz | Thin purses, small pouches, thinner wallets, linings, bookmarks, watch bands, shoes, boots and molding |
| 2 - 3 oz | Thin purses, small pouches, wallets, linings, bookmarks, thicker watch bands, shoes, boots, molding, embossing, light upholstery for chairs, couches and other seating |
| 3-4 oz | Smaller handbags and purses, pouches, thicker wallets, shoes, boots, light notebook covers, molding, embossing, standard upholstery for chairs, couches, and other seating |
| 4 - 5 oz | Smaller handbags and purses, pouches, shoes, boots, notebook covers, smaller knife sheathes, keychains, wrestling masks, light chaps and light aprons |
| 5 - 6 oz | Smaller handbags and purses, thicker pouches, shoes, boots, notebook covers, smaller knife sheathes, keychains, wrestling masks, chaps and light aprons. |
| 6 - 7 oz | Handbags and purses, thicker pouches, bags and duffels, carrying cases, shoes, heavier boots, thin belts, larger notebook covers, knife sheathes, keychains, heavier chaps, aprons, thin armor, thin sword and bayonet scabbards |
| 7 - 8 oz | Typical handbags and purses, thicker pouches, bags and duffels, carrying cases, thicker shoes, heavier boots, belts, light slings, light pet collars, light straps, large notebook covers, knife sheathes, keychains, thick aprons, thin armor, sword and bayonet scabbards |
| 8 - 9 oz | Typical handbags and purses, bags and duffels, saddle bags, carrying cases, belts, slings, pet collars, straps, heavier notebook covers, knife sheathes, keychains, armor, holsters, sword and bayonet scabbards |
| 9 - 10 oz | Larger handbags and purses, bags and duffels, saddle bags, carrying cases, heavier belts, slings, pet collars, straps, knife sheathes, keychains, armor, holsters, sword and bayonet scabbards |
| 10 - 11 oz | Larger handbags and purses, thicker bags and duffels, saddle bags, thicker carrying cases, heavier belts, slings, pet collars, straps, light saddles, heavy knife sheathes, keychains, thicker armor and holsters |
| 11 - 12 oz | heavy handbags and purses, thicker bags and duffels, thick saddle bags, thicker carrying cases, heavier belts, thicker slings, heavy slings, thick pet collars, straps, light saddles, heavy knife sheathes, keychains, thicker armor and holsters |
| 12 - 13 oz | heavy handbags and purses, thicker cases, heavier belts, thicker slings, heavy slings, thick pet collars, thicker straps, typical saddles, keychains, thicker armor and holsters |
| 13 - 14 oz | Light shoe heels, light shoe soles, thick belts, light machine belting, straps, typical saddles, tack and heavy armor. |
| 14 - 15 oz | Shoe heels, shoe soles, thick belts, machine belting, straps, heavy tack and heavy armor |
| 15+ oz | Shoe heels, shoe soles, thick belts, straps and heavy armor |
