How much does a hoodie weigh? A typical adult pullover hoodie in size M weighs roughly 450–900 g (about 1–2 lb). Lightweight French terry hoodies sit at the bottom of that range, while heavyweight fleece at 400gsm and above lands around 700–900 g, and oversized cuts can pass 1 kg.
The biggest driver is fabric weight, measured in GSM (grams per square metre). Size, fit, zips and prints add the rest. Below is the chart we use when founders ask us to spec a hoodie.
How much does a hoodie weigh? Chart by style
These are conservative ranges for an adult size M (kids row: age 8–10). Your own pattern and fabric will decide the final number.
| Style | Typical fabric GSM | Approx. finished weight (size M) | Shipping note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight pullover (French terry) | 240–280 gsm | 400–550 g | Folds flat; several fit in a small mailer bag |
| Midweight pullover (fleece or terry) | 300–350 gsm | 550–700 g | Usually under 1 kg packed, single unit |
| Heavyweight pullover (loopback or brushed fleece) | 380–450 gsm | 700–900 g | Bulky when folded; check volumetric weight |
| Zip hoodie (midweight) | 300–350 gsm | 600–750 g | Zip adds weight and a hard edge; fold zip inwards |
| Kids hoodie (age 8–10) | 240–300 gsm | 250–400 g | Light; parcel cost often driven by box size, not weight |
Heavyweight hoodies cut oversized, with dropped shoulders and a double-layer hood, can weigh 900 g to 1.1 kg in size M. Every size step up adds weight too, so an XXL can be noticeably heavier than the M in the same fabric.
What hoodie GSM means (and how to convert it to oz)
GSM is the weight of one square metre of fabric. A mill measures it by cutting a 100 cm² disc, weighing it and multiplying by 100. Higher GSM means more fibre per square metre, which usually feels denser and warmer.
US suppliers often quote ounces per square yard instead. The conversion is simple: 1 oz/yd² ≈ 33.9 gsm. To go from oz to GSM, multiply by 33.9. To go from GSM to oz, divide by 33.9.
| Hoodie GSM | Approx. oz/yd² | How it usually feels |
|---|---|---|
| 240 gsm | 7.1 oz | Light, drapey, good for layering |
| 280 gsm | 8.3 oz | Light everyday hoodie |
| 320 gsm | 9.4 oz | Classic midweight |
| 350 gsm | 10.3 oz | Upper midweight, holds its shape |
| 400 gsm | 11.8 oz | Heavyweight, structured |
| 450 gsm | 13.3 oz | Heavy, boxy, premium streetwear |
| 480 gsm | 14.2 oz | Very heavy, stiff at first, softens with wear |
One caution: always confirm an oz figure is per square yard. Weights quoted per linear yard depend on fabric width and are not comparable.
Hoodie weight in grams: what adds to the total
Fabric GSM explains most of a hoodie’s weight in grams, but not all of it. These details move the number:
- Size and fit. Oversized blocks use more fabric. A boxy heavyweight can use far more cloth than a slim midweight.
- Hood construction. A double-layer or lined hood adds a second layer of fabric.
- Rib. Cuffs and hem bands are usually a heavier 1×1 or 2×2 rib, often with a little elastane for recovery.
- Trims. Metal zips, aglets, eyelets and drawcords all add grams. A metal zip is heavier than a nylon coil.
- Decoration. Large plastisol or puff prints and dense embroidery add weight you can feel.
- Fibre and finish. Cotton-rich fleece feels heavier in the hand than polyester-rich fleece at a similar GSM. Garment dyeing and washing can tighten fabric, so the finished GSM may differ from the greige spec.
What counts as a heavyweight hoodie?
There is no official cut-off, but in the trade a heavyweight hoodie generally starts around 380gsm. Most premium streetwear hoodies we see sit at 380–450gsm, with some brands going to 480gsm loopback for a stiff, structured look.
Heavyweight fabric gives you a fuller silhouette, a hood that stands up and a garment that feels expensive in the hand. The trade-offs are higher fabric cost, a warmer garment that is less versatile in spring, and higher shipping weight per unit.
Loopback fleece (loops left unbrushed on the inside) feels drier and more structured. Brushed fleece feels softer and warmer, but can pill more if the yarn quality is poor. If you are deciding between the two, our hoodie manufacturing service covers French terry from 240gsm through to 480gsm loopback fleece, so you can compare fabrics side by side before committing.
How to choose the right hoodie GSM for your brand
Pick the weight for the customer and the use, not just the trend. A rough guide:
- 240–280gsm: layering pieces, warm climates, activewear-adjacent ranges, kids.
- 300–350gsm: everyday hoodies, merch, zip-ups that need to sit well with a zip.
- 380–450gsm: premium streetwear, boxy fits, heavy prints and embroidery.
Decoration matters. Dense embroidery and high-density puff print sit better on a stable, heavier fabric, while very light terry can pucker under heavy stitch counts. Ask for a strike-off or sample on your actual fabric before bulk.
Heavier fabric also costs more per garment and in freight. On a tight launch budget, a good 330–350gsm fleece often balances feel and margin best.
Shipping: what hoodie weight means for your costs
Couriers charge on whichever is greater: actual weight or volumetric weight. Volumetric weight is usually length × width × height in cm divided by 5,000 for express services, though the divisor varies by carrier.
Heavyweight hoodies are bulky, so on cartons volume often catches up with weight. A 60 × 40 × 40 cm carton has a volumetric weight of 19.2 kg at a 5,000 divisor, whatever you pack into it. Ask your factory for the packed carton weight and dimensions per size ratio before you book freight.
For direct-to-customer orders, add a few tens of grams per unit for the polybag, hangtag and tissue. That small amount can push a heavy hoodie over a parcel weight band, so weigh a packed sample rather than guessing.
How to specify hoodie weight in your tech pack
Write the fabric weight into your bill of materials, not just “heavyweight fleece”. A clear spec includes:
- Fabric type and composition, for example “400gsm loopback fleece, 100% cotton”.
- GSM with a tolerance, commonly ±5%, and whether it is measured before or after washing.
- Rib weight and composition for cuffs, hem and hood edge.
- Trims: zip type and length, drawcord, aglets, eyelets.
- Target finished garment weight for your sample size, if feel is critical to your brand.
If you are new to this, our guide on what a tech pack is explains where each detail goes. Or let our tech pack design team build one that any competent factory can quote from.
How Fabrickly can help
We produce hoodies from 50 pieces per style, in fleece from 240gsm French terry up to 480gsm loopback, with YKK zips as standard on zip-ups. Standard fabrics are OEKO-TEX Standard 100, and GOTS organic cotton is available on request. Send your tech pack or a sketch for an itemised quote within one business day through our quote request page.
Frequently asked
Q: Is 300 gsm a good weight for a hoodie?
Yes. 300gsm is a solid midweight that works for everyday hoodies and layering. If you want a structured, premium streetwear feel, look at 380gsm and above.
Q: How many grams is a heavyweight hoodie?
Heavyweight hoodie fabric generally starts around 380gsm. A finished size M in 380–450gsm fleece usually weighs about 700–900 g, and oversized cuts can pass 1 kg.
Q: What is 400 gsm in oz?
400gsm is about 11.8 oz per square yard. Divide GSM by 33.9 to convert to oz/yd², or multiply oz/yd² by 33.9 to get GSM.
Q: Do heavier hoodies shrink less?
Not automatically. Shrinkage depends on fibre, knit construction and whether the fabric or garment has been pre-shrunk or washed, so ask for shrinkage testing whatever the weight.
Q: How much does a hoodie weigh for shipping?
Allow roughly 0.5–1 kg per packed adult hoodie, depending on fabric weight and size. For cartons, check volumetric weight too, because bulky hoodies often bill on volume.
Q: Is GSM the same as fabric thickness?
No. GSM measures weight per square metre, not thickness. A brushed fleece can feel thicker than a loopback fleece of the same GSM because brushing raises the fibres.
— Hasebul, Fabrickly