Plastic Sheeting Rolls/ Plastic Sheets -Thickness In Mils- Shop by Thickness
Plastic Sheeting comes in a wide range of thicknesses. It is rated with the term, "mil". A mil is a measurement that equals one-thousandth of an inch, or 0.001 inch. Most human hair is One-thousandth of inch, or 0.001 inch. The most common size in the thickness rating for plastic sheeting is 6 mil. This is 6-thousandths of an inch, or 0.006 inch. Generally, the thicker the plastic, the stronger it is. If it has string/scrim reinforcement, then the string within the plastic will give it added strength. Depending on the application, the composition of the plastic can play a big role regardless of the thickness. For example, additives added to the plastic such as the fire retardant additive may play a more significant role than the thickness of the plastic if the job requires FR/ flame retardant plastic.
Note that the term " heavy gauge" plastic is not to be confused with "heavy mil" referring to heavy plastic sheeting. The term "gauge" refers to the thickness of metal. It really doesn't apply to plastic sheeting/ plastic sheets.
Learn more about the differences between Mil, mm, and inches here.
Learn the differences between micron and mil
We have some questions about your project. Please see them here.
Thickness of common items in mils:
- Dime: 53 mils
- Credit Card: 30 mils
- 10 pieces of paper: 10 mils
- Plastic grocery bag: 2.25-3 mils
Click on the links below to select the thickness for the plastic sheeting roll that will best serve your project or shop by thickness Directly- Sold by the roll in most cases. Plastic sheets made into tarps are available on a custom basis.
3 Mil Plastic Sheeting
6 Mil Plastic Sheeting
12 Mil Plastic Sheeting
14 Mil Heavy Duty Liner
15 Mil Plastic Sheeting
20 Mil Plastic Sheeting
30 Mil Heavy Duty Plastic Sheeting
36,45. 60 Potable Polypropylene Geomembranes
40 Mil HDPE
60 - 100 Mil Thick Heavy Duty Liners/Heavy Plastic Sheeting for big jobs.
XR-5 Heaviest of Duty Geomembrane liners
Common roll sizes include: 4' x 100', 6' x 100', 6.75' x 100', 8' x 100', 12' x 100', 20' x 100'
GPS Corrugated Plastic- Plastic sheets/ boards Regular and Fire Retardant- 4mm
Not sure which thickness you should use for which application? Click here to see a plastic sheeting thickness application chart.
What constitutes "heavy duty plastic"?
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Thickness of Plastic Sheeting 75 mil 60 mil 50 mil 10 mil 6 mil 4 mil |
Common item for comparison Nickel Penny Dime Business card white trash bag used in kitchens standard piece of paper |
Plastic Sheeting Conversions Thickness Table: Mil to Inches |
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1 Mil to Inches = 0.001 |
70 Mil to Inches = 0.07 |
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2 Mil to Inches = 0.002 |
80 Mil to Inches = 0.08 |
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3 Mil to Inches = 0.003 |
90 Mil to Inches = 0.09 |
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4 Mil to Inches = 0.004 |
100 Mil to Inches = 0.1 |
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5 Mil to Inches = 0.005 |
200 Mil to Inches = 0.2 |
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6 Mil to Inches = 0.006 |
300 Mil to Inches = 0.3 |
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7 Mil to Inches = 0.007 |
400 Mil to Inches = 0.4 |
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8 Mil to Inches = 0.008 |
500 Mil to Inches = 0.5 |
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9 Mil to Inches = 0.009 |
600 Mil to Inches = 0.6 |
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10 Mil to Inches = 0.01 |
800 Mil to Inches = 0.8 |
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20 Mil to Inches = 0.02 |
900 Mil to Inches = 0.9 |
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30 Mil to Inches = 0.03 |
1,000 Mil to Inches = 1 |
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40 Mil to Inches = 0.04 |
10,000 Mil to Inches = 10 |
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50 Mil to Inches = 0.05 |
100,000 Mil to Inches = 100 |
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60 Mil to Inches = 0.06 |
1,000,000 Mil to Inches = 1000 |
Common Uses For Different Thickness of Plastic Sheeting
Heavy Duty Plastic Sheeting:
Heavy Duty Plastic Sheeting- what is it? It first boils down to what job will the plastic sheeting be required to perform? A six mil reinforced film can be considered "heavy duty" when it is used to cover a desk to keep it clear of dust. That same "heavy duty sheet" would not be strong enough to line a landfill. Understanding the strength and thickness of the film, its composition and additives and chemical make-up as well as the job it has to perform will help determine if a film is fit for the job at hand. It is critical that the film not only be assessed on its mil thickness. For example, if the film is in the sun, it needs UV protection additives to maintain its strength.
Thickness |
Plastic Sheeting Mil Thickness Uses |
1-2 mil |
Economical/ light duty protection for indoor painting • Covering equipment • pallets • furniture during painting |
3 mil |
Self-Adhesive plastics for: Counters, Carpeting, Floors, Hardwood, Tile, Bath Tubs C&A Films: Painting, Covers (thickness equivalent is a plastic shopping bag) |
6 Mil |
Barge Liners/ Liners • Construction Enclosures • Temporary Erosion Control • Construction Enclosures • Remediation CoversTemporary liners or Covers • Shipping and Packaging•Insulation Membranes • Curtains•Job Site Covers • Vapor Retarders • Lumber Covers • Cargo Wraps·Silage Covers • Greenhouse Plastic • Heat Shrink Wrap • Anti-Static Equipment Covers |
10 Mil |
Pond/Canal Linings • Outdoor Coverings • Remediation Liners • Cargo Oil Field Pit Liners • Silage Covers• Unexposed lining applications Construction Enclosures • Vapor Retarders • Asbestos Abatements • Fumigation Covers•Insulation Membranes • Temporary Walls-Curtains • Job Site Coverings • Temporary Wall Remediation Covers• Temporary Erosion Control -Thickness equivalent would be 10 sheets of paper. |
12 Mil |
Daily Landfill Covers • Cargo Covering • Interim Landfill Covers• Remediation Covers or Liners • Outdoor Covers •Temporary Rainshed Covers |
14 Mil |
Protective Coverings for decks on Navy ships, Coast Guard Fleet, Mega yachts, Commercial Flooring, Hospitals, Laboratories, Government Facilities, and Power plants. |
15 Mil |
Under-slab Vapor Barrier • Foundation Wall Vapor Barrier |
20 Mil |
Aquaponics liners • Vapor Retarders • Daily Landfill Covers • Interim Landfill Caps • Erosion Control Cover • Under-slab Vapor Retarders • Earthen Liners • Grain Storage |
24 Mil |
Hay Covers |
30 Mil |
Containment Liners • Oilfield Pit Liners • Fish Hatchery Liners • Canal Liners • Interim Landfill Covers • Outdoor CoversRoot barrier, pit liners, soil remediation, canal liner |
Click HERE for a conversion calculator
Thickness of Plastic Questions? Hello Global Plastics I need a roll of plastic.....
Where can you buy heavy duty plastic sheeting if you are a homeowner? HERE!!!
By Phone Toll Free In the U.S. 866 597 9298
By Phone directly: 760 597 9298
By Fax: 760 597 9574
THANK YOU!
Do you have a quick question regarding the thickness of plastic sheeting? Fire away below. Thank you
Standard stock rolls are 100' long.
