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Thickness of a sheet of paper: size, dimension and comparison

The adopted reference is about 100 µm.

representative thickness

100 µm = 0.1 mm. A micron (µm) is a millimeter divided by 1,000.

Varies by periodModel not specified

A thickness that seems almost to disappear when viewed from the side.

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Thickness of a sheet of paper, interpreted illustration
Interpreted illustration · dimension stated in the fact sheet.

What does this number measure?

A thickness that almost seems to disappear when viewed from the side. Cellulose fibres form the paper's network. Thickness varies with manufacturing and grammage; it differs from a sheet's length or width.

Compare the stated dimensions

The comparison uses the number in each fact sheet: altitude, height, diameter, length or distance, depending on the reference. Two values in metres do not necessarily describe the same property.

Compare with Grain of sand in the explorer →

Source and limitations

Catalogue order of magnitude; a source is provided, but this measurement has not been individually audited.

Macroscopic cross-section of a paper fragment; only the vertical thickness corresponds to the reference.

Model not specified: Varies by period. Proposed historical date; an existing documentary source is linked but was not consulted for this date in this session. Do not interpret this reference as the manufacturing date of the illustrated specimen. Representative paper thickness; no manufacturing type or dated specimen is specified. A universal year would be misleading.