Table of Contents
Reviewed and updated by ICD - Week 38/2026
A stretch film roll is correctly specified by three numbers together - width, thickness in microns, and net film weight - not by length alone. Understanding all three lets you calculate real roll length, compare rolls fairly, and choose the right film for your pallet load without wasting material or over-spending.
This question comes up almost every day on the warehouse floor. When a customer asks how many metres a roll contains, what they really need to know is how many pallets it will wrap. Length is just one part of the specification - the rest of this guide shows you how to read all of it.
1. Why the answer is never just one number
Looking only at the length printed on a label can lead to a poor purchasing decision. A very long roll that is too thin tears easily, forces you to add extra wrapping layers, and costs more in the end. Length is only part of the story.
A complete stretch film specification - the one that actually determines wrapping performance - has three core elements:
- Width (roll width): determines the coverage per pass around the load.
- Thickness (micron): determines strength and puncture resistance.
- Net film weight: determines the actual amount of film you receive.
Only when you understand all three can you answer “how long is this roll?” accurately.
2. How to read a stretch film roll specification
Take the most common specification on the market as an example: 50 cm x 17 mic x 4.0 kg (core 1.0 kg)
Width
- 50 cm (500 mm) is the roll width. This is the standard size for both hand wrapping and machine wrapping of pallets.
Thickness - micron (mic)
- 17 mic is the film thickness. This is a critical figure.
- Thin film (12-17 mic): suited to light, uniform loads with no sharp edges.
- Thicker film (20-23 mic and above): suited to heavy, bulky loads with sharp corners.
Gross weight, core weight, and net film weight
- 4.0 kg is the gross weight of the full roll including the cardboard core.
- Core 1.0 kg is the weight of the cardboard core alone.
- Net film weight = 4.0 kg - 1.0 kg = 3.0 kg.
So how long is the roll?
Roll length is calculated from the net film weight, thickness, width, and the density of PE film (approximately 0.92 g/cm3). The formula can be complex, but the quick-reference table below estimates common roll lengths for 50 cm wide film:
| Net film weight | Thickness (mic) | Estimated length (metres) |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 kg | 17 mic | approx. 260 - 280 m |
| 2.0 kg | 20 mic | approx. 220 - 240 m |
| 3.0 kg | 17 mic | approx. 390 - 410 m |
| 3.0 kg | 20 mic | approx. 330 - 350 m |
As shown above, the same net weight produces fewer metres when the film is thicker.
3. Film quality matters more than length
A high-quality LLDPE roll of 250 m can wrap more pallets than a low-grade LDPE roll of 300 m. The difference is stretch ratio.
High-quality machine stretch film can pre-stretch up to 200-300%. That means 1 metre of film can extend to 3-4 metres during wrapping while still maintaining holding force. This is the true measure of cost efficiency, not the nominal length on the label.
Related articles
| What is stretch film and how is it used? | Hand vs machine stretch film: key differences | How much stretch film does one pallet need? |
Frequently asked questions about stretch film roll length
1. Why do two rolls of the same weight have different prices?
Film quality. A roll made from virgin LLDPE resin with high stretch and puncture resistance costs more than one made from recycled or lower-grade resin. The difference in performance per pallet is usually greater than the price difference.
2. What does “mic” mean and why does it matter?
“Mic” is short for micrometre (1 mic = 0.001 mm), the unit used to measure film thickness. Thickness determines durability. Choosing a film that is too thin leads to tearing during wrapping, which wastes film and leaves loads unsecured.
3. Is hand stretch film different from machine stretch film in specification?
Yes. Machine film is engineered with higher stretch and tensile strength to handle the motor tension of a wrapping machine. Hand film is typically thinner and designed to be stretched by hand without tearing.
Contact ICD Vietnam
Hotline: 0983 797 186 / 090 345 9186 / 090 5859 186
Email: sales@icdvietnam.com.vn | Zalo: Chat Zalo
Quick Reference: Estimated Roll Length by Specification
The table below gives estimated lengths based on weight, thickness and the standard PE density of 0.92 g/cm3. Use these figures as a planning baseline when comparing suppliers or calculating monthly stock requirements. Actual length may vary by up to 5% depending on core weight and winding tension.
| Roll Weight | Thickness | Estimated Length | Pallets per Roll |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kg | 17 µm | ~230 m | 15-20 pallets |
| 2 kg | 17 µm | ~460 m | 30-40 pallets |
| 3 kg | 23 µm | ~450 m | 28-35 pallets |
| 5 kg | 23 µm | ~750 m | 45-60 pallets |
Pro tip: Before committing to a large order, verify the roll length directly. Unwind a 1-metre sample from the outer layer, weigh it on a postal scale, then divide the total roll weight (minus the core) by the sample weight to get the number of metres. Alternatively, ask your supplier for a third-party test certificate showing net weight, width, thickness and calculated length - reputable manufacturers including ICD Vietnam’s stretch film range provide this documentation on request. If a supplier cannot produce verifiable specs, treat the quoted length as unconfirmed.
