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Sieve and screen sizes are specified either by mesh number (how many openings per linear inch) or by the particle size in microns that the sieve will pass. This tool converts between them using the standard approximation used for US standard sieve sizes.
How it works
Mesh number and micron size are approximately inversely related: micron ≈ 15,000 / mesh number, and since the relationship is self-inverse, mesh ≈ 15,000 / micron for the reverse direction. This is a widely-used rule-of-thumb approximation rather than an exact physical law, since a sieve's actual opening size also depends on its wire diameter.
- Enter value.
- Enter conversion direction.
- Click Calculate to see your results.
Examples
100 mesh sieve
A 100 mesh sieve has openings of approximately 150 microns — close to published ASTM E11 reference values.
Who should use it
- Estimating particle size from a sieve's mesh rating.
- Comparing sieve specifications across different numbering conventions.
Industry applications
- Materials science and powder processing
- Geology and soil science
- Food and pharmaceutical manufacturing
Advantages
- Quick bidirectional conversion between mesh and microns.
- Uses the standard, widely-used approximation formula.
Limitations
- Approximate only — not a substitute for a manufacturer's exact sieve specification.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating the mesh-to-micron formula as exact — always check a manufacturer's sieve specification sheet for precise opening sizes when it matters.
Best practices
- Use this for a quick estimate; for laboratory or quality-control work, reference the actual ASTM E11 standard sieve table.
Tips
- For critical applications, always cross-check against the actual ASTM E11 or ISO 3310 sieve specification rather than relying solely on this approximation.