Is 240 GSM good for a t-shirt?
September 23, 2026 · YTHRAL
Yes. 240 GSM is good for a t-shirt. It's a heavyweight fabric, a lot thicker than the 150 to 180 GSM most basic tees use, so it hangs straight and doesn't turn see-through. It still isn't so heavy that it feels stiff.
The one real downside is heat. On a humid day a 240 GSM tee is warmer than a thin one, and it takes longer to dry after a wash.
Is 240 GSM thick?
For a t-shirt, yes. GSM tells you how much the fabric weighs, and with the same cotton more weight means a denser, thicker fabric. You notice it as soon as you pick the tee up. Next to a 150 GSM tee it feels much heavier in your hand, and a white one doesn't show skin through it the same way.
What does GSM mean?
GSM stands for grams per square meter. If you cut a square meter of the fabric and weigh it, that's the number. So a 240 GSM fabric weighs 240 grams per square meter, and a higher number means more cotton in the same space.
How 240 GSM compares
| GSM | Feel | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| 130–150 GSM | Thin and a little see-through | Promo tees and cheap multipacks |
| 160–210 GSM | Midweight | Most everyday tees |
| 220–250 GSM | Heavyweight | Streetwear and better basics |
| 260–300+ GSM | Very heavy, stiff at first | Boxy heavyweight cuts |
| 400–500 GSM | Fleece | Hoodies and sweatshirts |
240 GSM sits in the middle of the heavyweight range. It's the weight a lot of streetwear brands use for their tees. The full t-shirt GSM chart has the ounce conversion for every weight.
240 GSM vs 180 GSM
A 180 GSM tee is lighter and cooler. It usually costs less too. It also clings more, and the collar stretches out sooner.
A 240 GSM tee holds its own shape. An oversized cut hangs straight down from the shoulder, and a big print sits flat on the dense fabric.
If you want an oversized fit, go heavier. On thin cotton an oversized tee just looks like the wrong size.
Is a 240 GSM tee worth paying more for?
If you wear your tees a lot, yes. Heavier cotton takes longer to wear thin, so one good tee outlasts a few cheap ones. If you mainly need tees for the gym or for very hot weather, a lighter one makes more sense.
Why YTHRAL tees are 240 GSM
Every YTHRAL tee is 240 GSM 100% cotton with an oversized drop-shoulder cut. The cut is the reason. An oversized tee only looks right when the fabric has enough weight to hang, and 240 GSM gives it that without getting stiff.
Our prints are screen printed, and a screen print needs a dense, flat fabric. On thin cotton a big back print can pucker after a few washes.
FAQ
Is 240 GSM heavy?
Yes, it counts as heavyweight. Most everyday tees are somewhere between 160 and 210 GSM.
Is 240 GSM good for summer?
It's fine on most summer days, but it is warmer than a thin tee. You'll feel the difference when it's humid.
Does a 240 GSM tee shrink?
Any cotton can shrink a little. YTHRAL tees are pre-shrunk. Wash them cold and keep them out of a hot dryer.
What does 480 GSM mean?
It means the fabric weighs 480 grams per square meter. That's hoodie and sweatshirt weight, about twice as heavy as a heavyweight tee.
What GSM does YTHRAL use?
240 GSM, on every tee.
The current tees are in the shop.