Everything converts through the sheet
Paper quantities are a fixed ladder built on the single sheet. Convert your amount into sheets, then divide into the unit you want. There are no rounding issues because every step is a whole-number multiple.
1 quire = 25 · 1 ream = 500 · 1 bundle = 1,000 · 1 bale = 5,000 sheets
The full ladder
| Unit | Sheets | In reams |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet | 1 | – |
| Quire | 25 | 1/20 ream |
| Ream | 500 | 1 ream |
| Bundle | 1,000 | 2 reams |
| Bale | 5,000 | 10 reams |
One bale = 5 bundles = 10 reams = 200 quires. To get 15,000 sheets you need exactly 3 bales.
Quantity is not weight
- These units count sheets, not mass. A ream of thin copy paper and a ream of card stock both hold 500 sheets but weigh very differently.
- Paper weight is a separate scale. Metric paper uses gsm (grams per square meter); US paper uses basis weight in pounds. 80 gsm office paper is roughly 20 lb bond.
- US basis weight is per paper type. "20 lb bond" and "20 lb text" are different papers because each is weighed at a different base sheet size, so compare in gsm to be safe.
Common questions
How many sheets are in a ream?
A ream is 500 sheets. That is the standard box of office paper. Older "short" reams of 480 sheets were once used but the 500-sheet ream is now the norm.
How many sheets are in a quire?
A quire is 25 sheets, or one-twentieth of a ream. Handmade and fine paper sometimes uses an older 24-sheet quire, but 25 is standard.
How many reams are in a bale?
A bale is 5,000 sheets, which is 10 reams, or 5 bundles. A bundle is 1,000 sheets, equal to 2 reams.
