Book thickness

How thick is a 170-page book?

A 170-page paperback is about 0.383 in (9.7 mm) thick on white paper and 0.425 in on cream — 85 sheets of paper.

0.383 inwhite paper9.7 mm
0.425 incream paper
85sheets (leaves)

Spine width by paper

PaperInchesMillimetresCentimetres
White paper, black ink0.3828 in9.72 mm0.97 cm
Cream paper, black ink0.425 in10.8 mm1.08 cm
Standard color (white)0.3828 in9.72 mm0.97 cm
Premium color (white)0.399 in10.13 mm1.01 cm

Full cover size by trim

TrimFull cover incl. bleed (white)Weight
5 x 8 in10.633 x 8.25 in178 g
5.06 x 7.81 in10.753 x 8.06 in176 g
5.25 x 8 in11.133 x 8.25 in187 g
5.5 x 8.5 in11.633 x 8.75 in208 g
6 x 9 in12.633 x 9.25 in240 g
6.14 x 9.21 in12.913 x 9.46 in251 g
6.69 x 9.61 in14.013 x 9.86 in286 g
7 x 10 in14.633 x 10.25 in311 g
7.5 x 9.25 in15.633 x 9.5 in308 g
8 x 10 in16.633 x 10.25 in355 g
8.5 x 8.5 in17.633 x 8.75 in321 g
8.5 x 11 in17.633 x 11.25 in415 g

Offset papers by PPI

PPITypical stockSpineSpine (mm)
350 PPIBulky / heavy stock (~70 lb text)0.486 in12.3 mm
400 PPICream book paper (~55 lb)0.425 in10.8 mm
444 PPIWhite book paper (~50 lb)0.383 in9.7 mm
500 PPILightweight text (~45 lb)0.34 in8.6 mm
600 PPIThin text (~40 lb)0.283 in7.2 mm

Other page counts

Frequently asked questions

How thick is a 170-page book?
A 170-page paperback is about 0.383 in (9.7 mm) thick on white paper and 0.425 in on cream — 85 sheets of paper.
How many sheets of paper are in a 170-page book?
85 leaves — each sheet carries two pages, one on each side.
Can a 170-page book have text on the spine?
Yes.