Micron refers to the maximum size of a particle that can pass through the filter screen. Smaller microns result in finer filtration. Micron also called um is a length unit which is 0.001mm or 0.00003937inch
On the other hand, mesh refers to the number of openings in the filter screens whereby larger mesh results in finer filtration. So a 100 mesh screen means there are 100 little square holes across one linear inch of screen. Mesh can be measure in LPI, or lines per inch.
Mesh and Micron are inversely related. Use the calculator below for rough calculations.
Mesh vs Micron Specific Calculation Formula :
Mesh count=25.4mm/(wire diameter+aperture).
Aperture(mm)=25.4mm/mesh count-wire diameter(mm).
Micron(μm)=Aperture(mm)/1000.
| Sieve Mesh # | Inches | Microns | Typical Material | |||
| 28 | 0.028 | 700 | Beach Sand | |||
| 60 | 0.0098 | 250 | Fine Sand | |||
| 100 | 0.0059 | 150 | Table Salt | |||
| 200 | 0.0029 | 74 | Portland Cement | |||
| 325 | 0.0017 | 44 | Silt | |||
| 400 | 0.0015 | 37 | Plant Pollen | |||
| (1200) | 0.0005 | 12 | Red Blood Cell | |||
| (4800) | 0.0001 | 2 | Cigarette Smoke | |||
Mesh to Micron Conversion Chart
| U.S. MESH | INCHES | MICRONS | MILLIMETERS | |||||
| 3 | 0.2650 | 6730 | 6.730 | |||||
| 4 | 0.1870 | 4760 | 4.760 | |||||
| 5 | 0.1570 | 4000 | 4.000 | |||||
| 6 | 0.1320 | 3360 | 3.360 | |||||
| 7 | 0.1110 | 2830 | 2.830 | |||||
| 8 | 0.0937 | 2380 | 2.380 | |||||
| 10 | 0.0787 | 2000 | 2.000 | |||||
| 12 | 0.0661 | 1680 | 1.680 | |||||
| 14 | 0.0555 | 1410 | 1.410 | |||||
| 16 | 0.0469 | 1190 | 1.190 | |||||
| 18 | 0.0394 | 1000 | 1.000 | |||||
| 20 | 0.0331 | 841 | 0.841 | |||||
| 25 | 0.0280 | 707 | 0.707 | |||||
| 30 | 0.0232 | 595 | 0.595 | |||||
| 35 | 0.0197 | 500 | 0.500 | |||||
| 40 | 0.0165 | 400 | 0.400 | |||||
| 45 | 0.0138 | 354 | 0.354 | |||||
| 50 | 0.0117 | 297 | 0.297 | |||||
| 60 | 0.0098 | 250 | 0.250 | |||||
| 70 | 0.0083 | 210 | 0.210 | |||||
| 80 | 0.0070 | 177 | 0.177 | |||||
| 100 | 0.0059 | 149 | 0.149 | |||||
| 120 | 0.0049 | 125 | 0.125 | |||||
| 140 | 0.0041 | 105 | 0.105 | |||||
| 170 | 0.0035 | 88 | 0.088 | |||||
| 200 | 0.0029 | 74 | 0.074 | |||||
| 230 | 0.0024 | 63 | 0.063 | |||||
| 270 | 0.0021 | 53 | 0.053 | |||||
| 325 | 0.0017 | 44 | 0.044 | |||||
| 400 | 0.0015 | 37 | 0.037 | |||||