Thickness is everything.
A tarp's thickness decides how long it lasts, how much wind it can take, and what jobs it's made for. Here's how to read it, and how to choose the right one.
Interactive
Feel the difference.
Drag the slider to see the real product at each thickness and its measured thickness in millimeters.
The bars show how thicknesses compare to each other. They are not lab test results.
Side by side
Every thickness, compared.
| Thickness | Grade | Metric | Durability | Best for |
|---|
Spec sheet
The numbers, by brand.
Weight, weave count and grommet spacing for every poly tarp we make.
| Brand | Thickness | Weight (GSM) | oz/yd² | Weave count | Grommet spacing |
|---|
To scale
Six times the material.
Our 30 mil vinyl is six times thicker than a 5 mil tarp, and our 22 mil poly is more than four times thicker. That's more material between your load and the weather, and more material for a tear to get through.
How to choose
Three questions. One answer.
How long will it stay up?
Days to weeks: 5 to 7 mil. Months: 8 to 10 mil. A full season or more: 14 to 22 mil.
How rough is the job?
Sharp edges, high wind, highway speed or heavy handling all call for more thickness. Truckers and roofers usually choose 16 to 22 mil.
Does it need to move easily?
Thinner tarps fold smaller and weigh less. If you set it up and take it down often, 5 to 8 mil is easier to handle.
What does "mil" mean?
A mil is one thousandth of an inch (0.001″). It is not a millimeter. 1 mil = 0.0254 mm, so a 20 mil tarp is about 0.51 mm thick.
Is a thicker tarp always better?
For strength and lifespan, yes. Thicker tarps are also heavier and stiffer, though. For quick, light jobs a 5 to 8 mil tarp is easier to handle. For long-term or rough use, go 10 mil and up.
What's the difference between cut size and finished size?
Cut size is the material before hemming. Once it's hemmed, the tarp ends up several inches smaller. Brix tarps are sold at 100% finished size, so what's on the label is what you get.
What is GSM?
GSM means grams per square meter. It's a measure of weight, not thickness, and it's often used for fence screens and fabrics. Our SEALTECH privacy screens are 200 GSM ultra heavy duty. Canvas is measured the same way in ounces: our PROTARP canvas comes in 14 oz and 20 oz.
Which color should I choose?
- White / Silver: reflect sunlight and keep what's underneath cooler.
- Green / Brown: blend in outdoors, in yards, on farms and in the woods.
- Blue: the classic all-purpose tarp.
- Black: blocks light completely.
Which thickness for a roof?
For emergency roof covers that stay up for weeks or months, we recommend 10 mil or thicker. For longer exposure or high wind, choose 16 to 22 mil.
Found your thickness?
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