What Does T-Shirt GSM Mean?

Another Thing to Consider Before Swiping Your Card.

When buying a new T-Shirt, the reason behind the purchase varies from customer to customer. While the most common reasons are to do with the shirt’s brand name, its appealing colour or print, or simply because you like how it feels – another determining factor (that many customers are unaware of and often don’t consider) is GSM.

GSM stands for Grams per Square Meter, and is related to the metric measurement of the weight of the fabric. GSM determines the thickness of the t-shirt and gives a good indication as to when the appropriate time would be to wear it.

For example, a higher GSM (between 180-200) Gildan t-shirt would mean the shirt is denser, and would therefore be more appropriate to be worn on days that may have a nip in the air. On the other hand, a Gildan Microfiber t-shirt with a lower GSM (between 130-150) would be more suited to those hot and sticky summer days as the fabric would be lightweight and moisture wicking.

When considering the quality of a t-shirt, GSM may play a role in its longevity.

Let’s compare a high-GSM and low-GSM Gildan cotton t-shirt. Although a heavier t-shirt with a higher GSM would theoretically last longer than one with a lower GSM, if it is worn more frequently than the low GSM t-shirt, they would probably end up having the same lifetime.

A higher GSM does, however, often affect the price of a t-shirt. This is because there are more raw materials used in the fabric’s manufacturing stage before it is ready to be cut and sewed.

So, the next time you go shopping for a t-shirt, outside of branding, eye-catching appeal, and texture –you can now include weight as a potential deciding factor before making your purchase!