When purchasing aluminum foil, one common question from global buyers is: “How many meters of aluminum foil can I get from 1 kilogram?” The answer depends on the thickness, width, and how different markets describe foil sizes. Understanding these factors is essential to calculating aluminum foil roll length accurately and to getting precise quotations.
In the global market, customers describe aluminum foil specifications in different ways.
Some buyers use width × length × thickness, while others simply mention width × weight (kg).
If the thickness is not clearly stated, even a small variation can significantly change the total roll length — and therefore the price.
| Region | Typical Specification Style | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe, Australia, Japan | Width × Length × Thickness | 30cm × 150m × 12µm | Standardized and precise |
| Africa, the Middle East, and South America | Width × Weight (kg) | 30cm × 1.8kg | Common in consumer packaging |
| North America | Inch and foot system | 12 inch × 500 ft × 0.00047 inch | Requires unit conversion |
| Southeast Asia | Width × Length | 30cm × 100m | Often used in household foil |
Tip: Always confirm the thickness before comparing prices; otherwise, quotations are not truly comparable.
Aluminum has a density of 2.7 g/cm³.
With that, you can convert between weight, length, and thickness using the following formulas:
where
L = length in meters
w = width in millimeters
t = thickness in microns
| Thickness (µm) | 30 cm (300 mm) | 45 cm (450 mm) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 µm | 137 m/kg | 91 m/kg |
| 12 µm | 103 m/kg | 69 m/kg |
| 15 µm | 82 m/kg | 55 m/kg |
| 20 µm | 62 m/kg | 41 m/kg |
| 30 µm | 41 m/kg | 27 m/kg |
Thinner foil gives much longer rolls for the same weight, while wider foil shortens the total length.
Case 1 — African Market: “30cm × 1.8kg”
Some African distributors specify only width and weight. If the thickness is not indicated, the actual roll length can vary widely:
| Thickness (µm) | Length (m) |
|---|---|
| 9 µm | 247 m |
| 12 µm | 185 m |
| 15 µm | 148 m |
| 20 µm | 111 m |
That means a “30cm × 1.8kg” roll could range from 110 to 250 meters, depending on foil thickness.
Case 2 — European Market: “30cm × 150m × 12µm”
If a customer requests a 150-meter roll, we can reverse the formula to estimate the roll weight:
m = (2.7 * 300 * 12 * 150) / 1000000 = 1.458 kg ≈ 1.46 kg
So a 30cm × 150m × 12µm foil roll weighs about 1.46 kg of aluminum, excluding the core and packaging.
Never rely on weight alone. Always confirm the thickness before placing an order.
Clarify net vs. gross weight. Ask whether the supplier’s quotation includes the paper core and packaging.
Following these two steps will make your comparisons more accurate and your procurement process more transparent.
At Zhengzhou Eming Aluminium Industry Co., Ltd., we provide professional aluminum foil solutions tailored to your market and packaging requirements.
Thickness range: 9µm –25µm
Width range: 120mm – 600mm
Custom logo printing on foil core or box
Support for both length-based and weight-based quotations
Email: inquiry@emingfoil.com
Website: www.emfoilpaper.com
Our technical team can also assist in calculating the exact foil roll length or weight based on your specific needs, ensuring precision in every order.
The question “How many meters in 1kg of aluminum foil?” is not just a math problem —
It's about understanding how thickness, width, and market habits affect your quotation and packaging design.
By mastering these details, global buyers can communicate clearly, avoid misunderstandings, and secure the most cost-effective solution for their business.
