Book thickness
How thick is a 500-page book?
A 500-page paperback is about 1.126 in (28.6 mm) thick on white paper and 1.25 in on cream — 250 sheets of paper.
1.126 inwhite paper28.6 mm
1.25 incream paper
250sheets (leaves)
Spine width by paper
| Paper | Inches | Millimetres | Centimetres |
|---|---|---|---|
| White paper, black ink | 1.126 in | 28.6 mm | 2.86 cm |
| Cream paper, black ink | 1.25 in | 31.75 mm | 3.18 cm |
| Standard color (white) | 1.126 in | 28.6 mm | 2.86 cm |
| Premium color (white) | 1.1735 in | 29.81 mm | 2.98 cm |
Full cover size by trim
| Trim | Full cover incl. bleed (white) | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 5 x 8 in | 11.376 x 8.25 in | 498 g |
| 5.06 x 7.81 in | 11.496 x 8.06 in | 492 g |
| 5.25 x 8 in | 11.876 x 8.25 in | 523 g |
| 5.5 x 8.5 in | 12.376 x 8.75 in | 582 g |
| 6 x 9 in | 13.376 x 9.25 in | 672 g |
| 6.14 x 9.21 in | 13.656 x 9.46 in | 704 g |
| 6.69 x 9.61 in | 14.756 x 9.86 in | 800 g |
| 7 x 10 in | 15.376 x 10.25 in | 871 g |
| 7.5 x 9.25 in | 16.376 x 9.5 in | 863 g |
| 8 x 10 in | 17.376 x 10.25 in | 995 g |
| 8.5 x 8.5 in | 18.376 x 8.75 in | 899 g |
| 8.5 x 11 in | 18.376 x 11.25 in | 1,163 g |
Offset papers by PPI
| PPI | Typical stock | Spine | Spine (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 350 PPI | Bulky / heavy stock (~70 lb text) | 1.429 in | 36.3 mm |
| 400 PPI | Cream book paper (~55 lb) | 1.25 in | 31.8 mm |
| 444 PPI | White book paper (~50 lb) | 1.126 in | 28.6 mm |
| 500 PPI | Lightweight text (~45 lb) | 1 in | 25.4 mm |
| 600 PPI | Thin text (~40 lb) | 0.833 in | 21.2 mm |
Other page counts
Frequently asked questions
How thick is a 500-page book?
A 500-page paperback is about 1.126 in (28.6 mm) thick on white paper and 1.25 in on cream — 250 sheets of paper.
How many sheets of paper are in a 500-page book?
250 leaves — each sheet carries two pages, one on each side.
Can a 500-page book have text on the spine?
Yes.