Made in the USA | BABA-Compliant Plastic Sheeting & Thickness Guide
At Global Plastic Sheeting, we proudly provide high-performance plastic sheeting Made in the USA, offering a superior alternative to imported, recycled materials that often fall short in consistency and durability. By producing our plastic sheeting domestically, we meet strict quality standards and support American jobs—making our products ideal for those who value quality and compliance.
Our products are also BABA-compliant, meeting the standards of the Build America, Buy America Act. BABA ensures that federally funded infrastructure projects use materials produced in the United States, providing added assurance for government contractors and project managers that our sheeting meets federal specifications.
Understanding Plastic Sheeting Thickness
Plastic sheeting is available in a range of thicknesses, measured in mil—a unit equal to one-thousandth of an inch (0.001"). For reference:
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6 mil = 0.006 inches, roughly the thickness of a human hair.
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Plastic grocery bag: 2.25–3 mils
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10 pieces of printer paper: 10 mils
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Credit card: 30 mils
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Dime: 53 mils
Generally, thicker plastic is stronger, and when string reinforcement (also called scrim) is added, it gains even more strength and tear resistance. However, thickness isn’t the only factor that matters.
Composition Matters: It's Not Just About Mil
Certain applications require specific material properties. For example, if fire retardant performance is necessary, the thickness of the sheeting is less critical than the additives used in the plastic formulation. Our fire retardant plastic sheeting is engineered to meet flame resistance standards and comes with documentation to satisfy inspectors and fire marshals.
Also, keep in mind that “gauge” is not the same as “mil.” Gauge is a term used for measuring metal thickness and should not be used to describe plastic sheeting.
Need Help Selecting the Right Thickness?
We offer resources to help you compare mil, mm, inches, and microns so you can confidently choose the right plastic sheeting for your needs. You can also shop by thickness or explore custom-fabricated tarps, which can include grommets, pipe loops, drawstrings, and more.
Whether your project involves agriculture, construction, pest control, or containment, we’re here to help you find the right plastic sheeting—proudly made in the USA and built to last.
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.
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.
.7mil - 10 mil Construction-Grade Plastic Sheeting
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
Do you have a quick question regarding the thickness of plastic sheeting? Fire away below. Thank you
Standard stock rolls are 100' long.
