Calculate book spines: This formula works

If you want to have a book printed, you should also first check the thickness of the spine. You can find out how to easily calculate this here.

Calculate spine: formula for measurement

Calculating the thickness of a spine is no problem. You just have to find out what the thickness of the paper and the envelope is. The more solid the material, the thicker the book.

• The general formula is: (page number / 2) * (paper thickness / 1000). The number of sheets in the book is multiplied by the paper thickness. The result is a value in millimeters.
• The so-called grammage, i.e. the paper thickness, is an essential part of the formula and is given in g / qm (grams per square meter). This information is supplied with every block of paper. Your print shop can give you good information.
• An example: paper thickness: 90 gsm and 250 pages. Formula: (250/2) * (90/1000) = 11.25 millimeters.
• However, the thickness of the envelope has not yet been taken into account. Depending on the fabric and nature, the value can fluctuate greatly.
• If you know the paper thickness of the envelope, you can reapply the above formula. The only difference is that the first term now corresponds to 2 (front and back): 2 * (paper thickness / 1000).
• If the grammage is not known, you must measure the thickness or estimate it in an emergency.
• Add the amounts of content and cover together and you have already calculated the dimensions of the spine.

On the next page you will find some of the best online printing companies in comparison.