Primary
Area Density (ρ𝐴) ○◂|Definition|1st|20260104120328-00-⌔
Area density
The area density (also known as areal density, surface density, superficial density, column density, or density thickness) of a two-dimensional object is defined as the quotient of mass by area. The SI derived unit is the “kilogram per square metre” (unit symbol kg·m).
In the paper and fabric industries, it is called grammage and is expressed in grams per square meter (g/m); for paper in particular, it may be expressed as pounds per ream of standard sizes (“basis ream”).
A generalized areic quantity is defined as the quotient of a generic physical quantity by area,1 such as surface charge density or areic electric charge.2 A related area number density can be defined by replacing mass by number of particles or other countable quantity.
Printed 2026-06-28.
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