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Trash bag thickness is measured in two units: mils for low-density bags and microns for high-density bags. A mil is 1/1,000 of an inch. A micron is 1/1,000 of a millimetre. In our catalog, a 13-gallon kitchen drawstring bag is 0.9 mil, contractor bags range from 3.0 to 6.0 mil, and small high-density office bags are 6 to 8 microns. The chart below matches each thickness to the waste type and bag size. For other terms, see our Trash Bag Dictionary.
Trash Bag Thickness Chart: What Thickness for Each Job
Here's what we offer for specific waste types and bag sizes. The thicknesses below come from our current product and collection pages.
| Job / waste type | Bag type | Thickness | Example size | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office paper, bathroom waste, and other light, dry waste | High density | 6–8 micron | 4, 6, and 7–10 gal | High-density trash bags, including 7–10 gallon 8-micron bags |
| Everyday kitchen waste | Low density | 0.9 mil | 13 gal drawstring | 13-gallon 0.9-mil drawstring bags |
| Kitchen-size recycling, including cans and cartons | Low density | 1.2 mil | 12–16 gal, blue | 12–16 gallon 1.2-mil blue recycling bags |
| Light to medium commercial waste | High density | 8–16 micron | 20–30 and 32–33 gal | High-density trash bags |
| Heavier or bulkier waste | Low density | 2.3–2.7 mil | 32–33, 40–45, 56, and 65 gal | Heavy-duty trash bags |
| Outdoor waste | Low density | 3.0 mil | 64 and 95–96 gal | 95–96 gallon trash bags |
| Construction, renovation, and yard debris | Low density (contractor) | 3.0, 4.0, and 6.0 mil | 32–60 gal | Contractor bags, including 55–60 gallon 6.0-mil bags |
Not sure of your size? See our trash bag size chart.
What Does Mil Mean on Trash Bags?
A mil is one-thousandth of an inch (0.001 inch). It is different from a millimeter. One millimeter equals 39.37 mil. Trash bag mil thickness is straightforward to read: a higher mil number means a thicker bag.
Low-density bags are rated in mil. In our catalog, low-density bags range from 0.9 mil for everyday kitchen bags to 6.0 mil for contractor bags. A standard credit card is about 30 mil thick (0.76 mm), based on the ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 card standard.
What Is a Micron in Plastic Bags?
A micron, also called a micrometer, is a unit of length equal to one-thousandth of a millimeter (0.001 mm). It is written as µm, and trash bag listings may shorten it to "mic." When you see "8 mic" on a bag, that means the bag is 8 microns thick.
High-density bags are rated in microns. The unit is used to describe the thickness of the film. In our catalog, high-density bags range from 6 to 17 microns.
For high-density bags, micron thickness gives you a direct way to compare thickness within the same material. When comparing high-density and low-density bags, consider the material and thickness together. See our high-density vs. low-density trash bags guide for more on the differences between the two types.
Mil vs. Micron: How to Convert
Converting between microns and mils takes one number: 25.4. The factor is exact because one inch equals exactly 25.4 millimeters.
- Mils to microns: microns = mils × 25.4
- Microns to mils: mils = microns ÷ 25.4
Here are the conversions for the thicknesses we sell.
Microns to mils (high-density bags)
| Microns (HD) | = Mils |
|---|---|
| 6 | 0.24 |
| 8 | 0.31 |
| 11 | 0.43 |
| 12 | 0.47 |
| 16 | 0.63 |
| 17 | 0.67 |
Mils to microns (low-density bags)
| Mils (LD) | = Microns |
|---|---|
| 0.9 | 22.9 |
| 1.2 | 30.5 |
| 2.3 | 58.4 |
| 2.7 | 68.6 |
| 3.0 | 76.2 |
| 4.0 | 101.6 |
| 6.0 | 152.4 |
Why you can't compare a micron bag to a mil bag by the number alone
When comparing mic vs. mil trash bags, the conversion is only part of the picture. A 17-micron high-density bag converts to 0.67 mil, but that does not make it equivalent to a 0.67-mil low-density bag. The two films use different materials. High-density film is stiffer and crinkly, while low-density film is softer and stretches.
Compare thickness only between bags made from the same material: microns with microns and mils with mils. For a side-by-side comparison of these two materials, read our guide to high-density vs. low-density trash bags.
What Mil Trash Bag Do You Need?
Start with what's going in the bag. Here's what we sell for each type of job:
- Light, dry waste (paper, tissues, wrappers): High-density bags, 6 to 8 microns. For office paper and bathroom waste, our high-density bags are available in this thickness range.
- Food waste and everyday kitchen trash: Low-density bags, around 0.9 mil. Our 13-gallon drawstring bags are 0.9 mil.
- Recycling (cans, cartons, cardboard): Low-density bags at 1.2 mil. Our blue 12 to 16-gallon recycling bags are 1.2 mil.
- Sharp, heavy or bulky waste: Step up the mil. Our thick trash bags range from 2.3 to 2.7 mil for larger bags used with heavier or bulkier waste. For construction, renovation, and yard debris, look at 3.0 mil and up.
Contractor bags start at 3.0 mil and go up to 6.0 mil in our catalog. If you're choosing between them, see our contractor bags vs. trash bags guide.
Thickness Isn't the Only Thing That Matters
Bag thickness matters, but it is not the only factor when choosing a bag for a specific job.
- Material. High-density and low-density films are different materials. Compare thickness between bags made from the same material. See our high-density vs. low-density trash bags guide.
- Size and fit. Choose a bag size that matches the waste and the bag dimensions. A bag that is too small can become overfilled. See our trash bag size chart for available sizes and dimensions.
- Seal type. Star seals and gusset seals are different seal designs. See our high-density vs. low-density trash bags guide for more detail.
- Load. Choose a bag based on the type and amount of waste going into it. Do not overfill or overload the bag.
Trash Bag Thickness FAQ
Is 1.5 mil a thick trash bag?
A 1.5 mil low-density bag is thicker than a 0.9 mil kitchen bag and thinner than a 3.0 mil contractor bag. Plasticplace sells 1.5 mil bags in sizes such as 35, 40–45, and 55–60 gallons. The right thickness depends on the waste type and the bag size.
Which is thicker, 2 mil or 4 mil?
A 4 mil bag is thicker than a 2 mil bag made from the same material. A higher mil number means a thicker film, so 4 mil is twice the thickness of 2 mil. Plasticplace sells 4.0 mil contractor bags for construction, renovation, and yard debris.
What's the difference between 2 mil and 3 mil trash bags?
A 3 mil bag has 1 mil more film thickness than a 2 mil bag. That difference equals 25.4 microns. Plasticplace sells 2.0 mil bags for larger waste streams, while 3.0 mil is the starting thickness in its contractor collection. The right choice depends on the waste type and bag size.
Which is thicker, 1 mil or 2 mil?
A 2 mil bag is twice the film thickness of a 1 mil bag when comparing the same material. Plasticplace's catalog includes 0.9 mil 13-gallon kitchen bags and 2.0 mil low-density bags in larger sizes. Choose between them based on the waste type and bag size, not thickness alone.
How thick is a garbage bag?
Garbage bag thickness varies by material, bag size, and intended use. Plasticplace sells 13-gallon low-density kitchen bags at 0.9 mil. Its contractor collection starts at 3.0 mil and includes bags up to 6.0 mil. High-density bags use micron measurements, with current catalog listings ranging from 6 to 17 microns.
Is 3 mm thick for a trash bag?
Three millimeters equals about 118.11 mil. That is much thicker than the 3.0 to 6.0 mil contractor bags covered in this guide. Trash bags are commonly specified in mils or microns, not millimeters. For more on contractor bag thickness, see our contractor bags vs. trash bags guide.
How many mils is 17 microns?
Seventeen microns equals about 0.67 mil because 17 ÷ 25.4 = 0.669. This is a mathematical thickness conversion, not a comparison of two equivalent bags. A 17-micron high-density bag and a 0.67 mil low-density bag use different film materials. Compare thicknesses within the same material.
Now that you've cracked the code on microns and mils, picking the perfect trash bag for every task is a breeze. Browse by type: high-density trash bags for light, dry waste, heavy-duty trash bags for larger bags and heavier or bulkier waste, and contractor bags for construction, renovation, and yard debris. For help choosing the right bag, read our guide on how to choose the right trash bag. If you're buying in volume, see our bulk trash bags. Not sure which thickness fits your job? Call our team at 877-343-2247.
