Mesh Size Converter
Convert between mesh number, microns, and inches for particle and sieve sizing.
Includes a complete reference table for standard mesh sizes.
Type in any field — the others update instantly. Based on US Standard sieve sizes.
Mesh size describes the number of openings per linear inch in a screen or sieve. A higher mesh number means smaller openings and finer particle size.
How mesh size works: A 100-mesh screen has 100 openings per inch. The actual opening size depends on the wire diameter, so mesh number alone does not give an exact micron size. However, standard (Tyler and US Standard) mesh screens use standardized wire diameters, giving consistent opening sizes.
Conversion relationships:
- Higher mesh number = smaller openings = finer particles
- Lower mesh number = larger openings = coarser particles
- 1 inch = 25,400 microns
- Opening size (microns) = 25,400 / mesh - wire diameter (in microns)
Standard US mesh to micron reference table:
| Mesh Number | Opening (microns) | Opening (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4,750 | 0.187 |
| 8 | 2,360 | 0.0937 |
| 10 | 2,000 | 0.0787 |
| 16 | 1,190 | 0.0469 |
| 20 | 841 | 0.0331 |
| 30 | 595 | 0.0234 |
| 40 | 420 | 0.0165 |
| 50 | 297 | 0.0117 |
| 60 | 250 | 0.0098 |
| 80 | 177 | 0.0070 |
| 100 | 149 | 0.0059 |
| 120 | 125 | 0.0049 |
| 140 | 105 | 0.0041 |
| 170 | 88 | 0.0035 |
| 200 | 74 | 0.0029 |
| 230 | 63 | 0.0025 |
| 270 | 53 | 0.0021 |
| 325 | 44 | 0.0017 |
| 400 | 37 | 0.0015 |
Common applications by mesh size:
- 4-10 mesh: Gravel screening, coarse aggregate
- 10-40 mesh: Sand, sugar, salt, grain processing
- 40-100 mesh: Flour, fine sand, ceramic powders
- 100-200 mesh: Industrial powders, pigments, pharmaceutical ingredients
- 200-400 mesh: Extremely fine powders, specialty chemicals
Practical tips:
- When filtering liquids, choose a mesh fine enough to catch the target particles but coarse enough to maintain flow rate.
- Mesh screens can clog quickly with particles near the opening size, so use a mesh 20-30% finer than the smallest particle you want to pass through.
- For 3D printing powder, typical mesh size is 200-400 mesh (37-74 microns).