How is the thickness of leather measured?
Leather thickness is typically measured in ounces in the USA. This unit of measurement of leather does not convey weight in the formal sense, but rather the thickness. Since it is crucial to have the correct thickness of leather for a particular project, it is also critical to know ounce measurements if you are purchasing from the USA.
So how thick is each ounce of leather?
One ounce of leather equals 0.4mm or 1/64 of an inch. Therefore 9 ounces is equal to 3.6mm or 9/64 of an inch and so on. Below is our leather thickness conversion chart for quick conversions. Please take into account, each piece of leather has a slightly variable thickness over the entire hide, our chart below reflects this variance.
Millimeter Thickness | Inch Thickness | Ounce Thickness | Example Leather |
| .8 – 1.2 mm | 1/32" – 3/64" | 2 – 3 oz | |
| 1.2 – 1.6 mm | 3/64" – 1/16" | 3 – 4 oz | |
| 1.6 – 2.0 mm | 1/16" – 5/64" | 4 – 5 oz | |
| 2.0 – 2.4 mm | 5/64" – 3/32" | 5 – 6 oz | |
| 2.4 – 2.8 mm | 3/32" – 7/64" | 6 – 7 oz | |
| 2.8 – 3.2 mm | 7/64" – 1/8" | 7 – 8 oz | |
| 3.2 – 3.6 mm | 1/8" – 9/64" | 8 – 9 oz | |
| 3.6 – 4.0 mm | 9/64"– 5/32" | 9 – 10 oz | |
| 4.0 – 4.4 mm | 5/32" – 11/64" | 10 – 11 oz | |
| 4.5 - 5.4mm | 1/4" - 14/64" | 12- 13 oz | |
| 5.5 - 6.4mm | 15/64" - 19/64" | 14 - 15 oz | |
| 6.5 - 7.4mm | 20/64" - 5/8" | 16 - 17 oz |
Want to know more about leather? We have workshops in our West Melbourne classroom almost every week!
So what thickness of leather do I need?
As mentioned above, it is vital you get the correct thickness of leather for each project. Our list here is a good guide to give you an idea of what thickness of leather you may need for different projects.
MM Thickness | Common Projects/Leather Types |
.8 – 1.2mm | lining, embossing |
1.2 – 1.6mm | lining, embossing, light bags, light wallets |
1.6 – 2.0mm | wallets, bags, chaps |
2.0 – 2.4mm | phone and tablet cases, book covers, light moccasins, chaps |
2.4 – 2.8mm | heavy cases, covers, chaps, moccasins |
2.8 – 3.2mm | moccasins, light sheaths, light holsters,belts |
3.2 – 3.6mm | standard belts, standard sheaths, straps, medium holsters |
3.6 – 4.0mm | bridle sides, bridle backs, heavy holsters,heavy belts, light armor, swell cover sides |
4.0 – 4.4mm | bridle sides, bridle backs, heavy straps, medium armor, stirrup backs |
4.5 – 5.4mm | girth point rumps, latigo sides, men's sole bends, saddlery skirting sides, rein backs |
5.5 – 6.4mm | girth point rumps, harness sides, harness backs, heavy men's sole bends |
6.5 – 7.4mm | super heavy men's sole bends, super heavy harness sides |
