The difference between 20 lb and 24 lb paper comes down to weight, thickness, and overall feel — 24 lb paper is heavier, thicker, and more substantial than 20 lb paper, though the difference is often subtle to the touch.
Understanding paper weight
Paper weight (like "20 lb" or "24 lb") refers to the weight in pounds of a ream (500 sheets) of that paper cut to its basic sheet size — for standard "bond" or "writing" paper, that basic size is 17 x 22 inches. So a ream of 20 lb bond paper weighs 20 pounds, while a ream of 24 lb bond paper weighs 24 pounds. This is a legacy system from the paper industry and doesn't directly describe the thickness of a single sheet, but heavier basis weight generally correlates with thicker, sturdier paper.
Practical differences
- Thickness/caliper: 24 lb paper is noticeably thicker than 20 lb, though not dramatically so — think of it as a step up in sturdiness rather than a completely different product.
- Opacity: Because it's thicker, 24 lb paper tends to have better opacity, meaning less show-through of text or images printed on the reverse side. This matters for double-sided printing.
- Feel and durability: 24 lb paper feels more substantial and professional in the hand, and it holds up better to handling, folding, and repeated use.
- Common uses: 20 lb paper is the standard weight for everyday copy paper, drafts, internal documents, and high-volume printing where cost matters. 24 lb paper is often chosen for resumes, cover letters, business correspondence, presentations, and documents printed on both sides where a more polished look and reduced show-through are desired.
- Cost: 24 lb paper typically costs somewhat more than 20 lb paper due to the extra material.
Both weights work fine in standard home and office printers/copiers, so the choice usually comes down to the desired look, feel, and purpose of the document rather than compatibility.