Linear Density Converter: Denier, Tex, lb/ft, g/m
Convert linear density (mass per length) between Denier (g/9 km), Tex (g/km), pound per foot (lb/ft), and gram per meter (g/m). Whether you need Denier to Tex, lb/ft to g/m, or any of the four units, this converter uses g/m as the base. Used in cables, fibers, textiles, and construction. Free, runs in your browser—no sign-up required.
What is linear density?
Linear density is mass per unit length (e.g. g/m or lb/ft). It describes how heavy a cable, fiber, or yarn is per meter or foot. The SI unit is gram per meter (g/m). Tex (1 tex = 1 g/km = 0.001 g/m) is the ISO-preferred unit for fibers and yarns. Denier (1 denier = 1 g/9 km) is common in textiles and hosiery. Pound per foot (lb/ft) is used in US construction and cable specs. This converter supports all four and normalizes to g/m under the hood.
How linear density conversion works
Linear density has dimension mass/length. The SI-coherent unit is kg/m; this converter uses g/m as the base. Convert your value to g/m using the source unit's factor, then divide by the target unit's factor. Example: 1000 denier to tex → 1000 × (1/9000) g/m in base, then to tex: 1000/9000 ÷ 0.001 = 111.1 tex (since 1 tex = 0.001 g/m, so 1 g/m = 1000 tex). So 1000 den ≈ 111 tex (and 1 tex = 9 denier).
Key linear density units explained
Each unit's factor to g/m — what this converter uses.
Gram per meter (g/m)
Factor: 1 (base unit)
SI-style unit. Direct mass per length. Used in engineering and when working in metric.
Tex (tex)
Factor: 1 tex = 0.001 g/m
1 tex = 1 g/km. ISO-preferred for fibers and yarns. 1 tex = 9 denier.
Denier (den)
Factor: 1 den = 1/9000 g/m
1 denier = 1 g per 9 km. Common in textiles, hosiery, and fiber specs. 9 den = 1 tex.
Pound per foot (lb/ft)
Factor: 1 lb/ft ≈ 1488.16 g/m
US customary. Used for wire, cable, and rope in construction and marine. 1 lb = 453.592 g, 1 ft = 0.3048 m.
When to use Denier vs Tex vs lb/ft
Tex is the SI/ISO-preferred unit for fibers and yarns (1 tex = 1 g/km). Denier is common in textiles and hosiery (1 denier = 1 g/9 km; 1 tex = 9 denier). lb/ft is used in US construction, cable, and rope specs. g/m is convenient when you already work in metric mass and length. This converter supports all four so you can match supplier specs and standards.
Who uses a linear density converter?
Textile and fiber manufacturers convert between Denier and Tex for yarn and thread specs. Construction and electrical contractors use lb/ft for wire and cable. Engineers and procurement compare specs from different regions (metric vs US). Students and educators use it for materials and units. All conversions run in your browser—no data is sent to a server.
Common linear density conversions at a glance
Handy reference for Denier to Tex, lb/ft to g/m, and more.
| From | To | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| denier | tex | ÷ 9 | 900 den = 100 tex |
| tex | denier | × 9 | 100 tex = 900 den |
| lb/ft | g/m | × 1488.16 | 1 lb/ft ≈ 1488 g/m |
Why gram per meter is the base
Linear density is mass/length. In SI the coherent unit is kg/m; we use g/m so numbers are convenient (1 g/m = 0.001 kg/m). Tex (g/km) and Denier (g/9 km) are defined in terms of mass and length, so converting them to g/m is exact. The converter uses g/m as the single base so all four units are consistent.
Avoiding common mistakes
Don't confuse linear density (mass per length, e.g. g/m) with bulk density (mass per volume, e.g. g/cm³)—they have different dimensions. Don't mix Denier and Tex without converting (1 tex = 9 denier). For lb/ft, use the exact factor 453.59237/0.3048 ≈ 1488.16 g/m when precision matters. This converter uses fixed factors for all four units.
Linear Density Conversion FAQ
? How do I convert Denier to Tex?
Divide Denier by 9 to get Tex. So 900 denier = 100 tex. To convert Tex to Denier, multiply by 9. 1 tex = 9 denier by definition (1 g/km vs 1 g/9 km).
? What is the difference between Tex and Denier?
Tex is mass in grams per 1000 m (1 tex = 1 g/km). Denier is mass in grams per 9000 m (1 den = 1 g/9 km). So 1 tex = 9 denier. Tex is ISO-preferred; Denier is common in textiles and hosiery.
? How do I convert lb/ft to g/m?
Multiply lb/ft by about 1488.16 to get g/m. So 1 lb/ft ≈ 1488 g/m. To convert g/m to lb/ft, divide by 1488.16.
? What is linear density used for?
Linear density describes mass per length of fibers, yarns, cables, wire, and rope. It is used in textiles (Denier, Tex), construction and electrical (lb/ft for cable), and engineering (g/m). It determines weight per unit length for sizing and cost.
? Is gram per meter the SI unit?
The SI coherent unit for mass per length is kg/m. Gram per meter (g/m) is 0.001 kg/m and is a convenient multiple. Tex (g/km) is approved for use with SI for linear density of fibers. This converter uses g/m as the base for all four units.
? How do I convert g/m to Denier?
Multiply g/m by 9000 to get Denier. So 1 g/m = 9000 denier (since 1 den = 1 g/9000 m). To convert Denier to g/m, divide by 9000.