The most common stretch film size in the US is 18 in x 1,500 ft, 80 gauge on a 3 in core for hand wrapping, and 20 in x 5,000 ft, 80 gauge for machine wrapping. For bundling, the standard is a 5 in x 1,000 ft mini roll. Everything else is a variation on those three: a different width, a thinner or thicker gauge, a longer roll, or a different core.
We make stretch film for US distributors and private label brands, so these are the sizes we are asked for every week. The tables below come from what US and European distributors actually list, not from a factory catalog.
How to read a stretch film size
A US label reads width x length x gauge, for example 18″ x 1500′ x 80 ga. That is 18 inches wide, 1,500 feet long, 80 gauge thick. Gauge is hundredths of a mil, so 80 gauge = 0.8 mil = about 20 microns.
A European label reads width in mm x length in m x thickness in µm, for example 500 mm x 300 m x 23 µm. Many EU buyers also order hand film by roll weight. Either way, send us the label from your current roll and we will match it.
Hand stretch film sizes (USA)
| Width | Common lengths | Common gauges | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 in | 1,500 ft | 60–80 | Small boxes, short pallets, lighter rolls for staff |
| 15 in | 1,500 ft | 60–80 | Lighter alternative to 18 in |
| 16 in | 1,500 ft | 63–80 | Lighter alternative to 18 in |
| 18 in | 1,500 ft (also 1,000 ft) | 80 (also 60, 63, 65, 70, 90) | The standard pallet hand roll |
| 20 in | 1,000 ft | Thin high-performance gauges | Light-duty extended core rolls |
Hand rolls come on a flush core for use with a dispenser, or an extended core that doubles as a handle. US hand rolls are mostly on a 3 in core.
Machine stretch film sizes (USA)
| Width | Common lengths | Common gauges | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 in | 5,000 ft, 6,000 ft, 7,500 ft, 9,000 ft | 63–120 (80 most common) | Fits most turntable and rotary-arm wrappers. Thinner gauges come on longer rolls |
| 30 in | 5,000 ft | 80 | Fewer wraps per pallet on taller loads |
Machine rolls sit on a 3 in core. Before you order, check your wrapper’s pre-stretch (the carriage gear ratio): a wrapper set to 250% pre-stretch needs a film that can take it without breaking.
Mini and bundling film sizes
| Market | Width | Length | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 3, 4, 5, 6 in | 1,000 ft | 80–90 gauge |
| EU & UK | 100–150 mm | 150 m | 17–23 µm |
Most US mini rolls are sold on an extended core, so no dispenser is needed.
Gauge, mil and micron conversion
| Gauge | Mil | Micron (µm) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | 0.47 | 12 | High-performance thin film for light loads |
| 60 | 0.60 | 15 | Light, even boxes by hand |
| 63–65 | 0.63–0.65 | 16–17 | Economy hand film, light machine film |
| 70 | 0.70 | 18 | Medium loads |
| 80 | 0.80 | 20 | All-round hand and machine film |
| 90 | 0.90 | 23 | Heavy loads, some corners |
| 100 | 1.00 | 25 | Heavy or uneven loads |
| 120 | 1.20 | 30 | Sharp edges, very heavy loads |
One warning on thin films. Some rolls are sold as “equivalent gauge” or “performance gauge”: a 47 gauge film that is claimed to hold like a 70 or 80 gauge one. Good thin films do exist, but the claim is easy to make and hard to check. Ask for the true gauge on the spec sheet and test a roll on your own loads before switching.
Which thickness for your load?
- Light, square boxes that don’t leave your building: 60–70 gauge.
- Mixed cartons going out by truck: 80 gauge. If you are unsure, start here.
- Heavy, tall or uneven loads: 90–100 gauge.
- Sharp corners, metal parts, bricks, lumber: 100–120 gauge, or add corner boards so you can stay thinner.
Thicker is not always safer. A thinner film stretched properly often holds better than a thick film put on loose, and it costs less per pallet. If loads shift, check how tight the film goes on before you move up a gauge.
Core sizes and core types
- 3 in core: standard for US hand film and all machine film.
- 2 in (50 mm) core: common on European hand film and some lighter rolls.
- Flush core: the core ends level with the film. Made for hand dispensers.
- Extended core: the core sticks out a few inches at each end as a handle. No dispenser needed.
Stretch film sizes in Europe
| Type | Width | Thickness | Core |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand film | 500 mm (also 450 mm) | 17, 20, 23 µm | 50 mm |
| Machine film | 500 mm | 17–30 µm | 76 mm |
| Mini film | 100 mm | 17–23 µm | Often with a handle |
How to order a custom size
Every size above, and almost anything in between, can be made to order. Send us:
- Hand, machine or mini, and the wrapper model if it’s machine film
- Width and length (in/ft or mm/m)
- Gauge or micron
- Core diameter, and flush or extended core
- Color: clear, black, blue or a tint
- Your carton and label, if you sell under your own brand
A photo of your current roll and its label works just as well. We will match it and send a free sample from stock. Lead time is 4–6 weeks for a first order and 3–4 weeks for repeats. Send us your spec here.
FAQ
What is the standard size of stretch wrap?
For hand wrapping in the US, 18 in x 1,500 ft at 80 gauge. For machines, 20 in x 5,000 ft at 80 gauge. In Europe, 500 mm hand rolls at 17–23 µm are standard.
How thick is 80 gauge stretch film?
80 gauge is 0.8 mil, about 20 microns. It is the most common gauge for both hand and machine film.
Is 18 or 20 inch stretch wrap better?
18 in is the hand-wrap standard because a full roll is easier to hold. 20 in is the machine standard. 20 in hand rolls exist, mostly as light-duty extended core rolls.
What size is mini stretch wrap?
In the US, 3 to 6 inches wide and usually 1,000 ft long, at 80 gauge. 5 in is the most common width.
What is the difference between flush core and extended core?
A flush core is the same width as the film and is used with a dispenser. An extended core is longer than the film, so you can hold the ends as handles without a dispenser.
Can you make stretch film in metric sizes?
Yes. We make 450 and 500 mm hand rolls and 500 mm machine rolls in micron thicknesses, on 50 mm or 76 mm cores.