How to Choose the Right GSM for Your Hijab Fabric
GSM — grams per square metre — is the single number that controls how your hijab feels, drapes and performs. Here is how to read it, pick the right band and avoid the most common mistakes.
GSM stands for grams per square metre. It is the weight of the fabric, not its thickness — a dense weave can be lighter than a loose one of the same fibre. For hijabs, GSM matters because it determines opacity, drape, warmth and how the fabric behaves on the head throughout the day.
The practical bands
60 – 100 GSM — sheer, fluid, summer These weights flow and drape easily. They are popular in warmer climates and for chiffon-style modal pieces where movement is the point. The trade-off is opacity: anything below 80 GSM will show through unless layered or lined.
100 – 160 GSM — all-season, most popular This is the range most hijab brands land on for their core range. Enough weight to hold its shape on the head, opaque without being heavy, and comfortable across most climates.
160 – 240 GSM — structured, winter, premium Higher GSM fabrics have a noticeable hand. They feel substantial, hold creases, and work well for structured styles or cold-weather pieces. They also tend to photograph better because they drape in controlled folds rather than soft waves.
Fibre matters as much as weight
A 120 GSM jersey and a 120 GSM modal feel quite different. Jersey is more elastic and recovers its shape; modal is softer with a finer drape. Both run across the same GSM band in our range, so you are choosing two variables at once.
How we handle it
We do not sell fabric at a fixed GSM. Every base in our range can be produced across a band, and you specify where in that band your order sits. We send physical swatches from the target weight before bulk starts, so you are approving the real hand, not a number on a sheet.
If you are not sure where to start, send us a reference garment or describe the end use — we will recommend a starting point for the lab dip.