Complete reference for IS 513, IS 1079, IS 2062, IS 1730, IS 14246 thickness charts — covering MS, HR, CR, GI, PPGI, PPGL and Stainless Steel sheets with SWG conversion and IS tolerance tables for Indian engineers and fabricators.
Select material type and thickness — instantly see the IS standard, SWG equivalent, weight per m², and thickness tolerance.
The six BIS standards that govern sheet metal thickness specification, tolerance and testing in India
Standard thickness series for each material type — click any row to populate the lookup tool above
Click any row to populate the lookup tool | All values per BIS standards
Permitted variation in thickness for each IS standard — critical for quality inspection and acceptance
| Thickness (mm) | Width ≤1000mm | Width >1000mm |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25–0.40 | ±0.030 | ±0.040 |
| >0.40–0.60 | ±0.040 | ±0.050 |
| >0.60–0.80 | ±0.050 | ±0.060 |
| >0.80–1.00 | ±0.060 | ±0.070 |
| >1.00–1.25 | ±0.070 | ±0.080 |
| >1.25–1.60 | ±0.080 | ±0.090 |
| >1.60–2.00 | ±0.100 | ±0.110 |
| >2.00–2.50 | ±0.120 | ±0.130 |
| >2.50–3.15 | ±0.140 | ±0.150 |
| >3.15–4.00 | ±0.160 | ±0.180 |
| Thickness (mm) | Width ≤1200mm | Width >1200mm |
|---|---|---|
| 1.60–2.00 | ±0.13 | ±0.16 |
| >2.00–2.50 | ±0.14 | ±0.18 |
| >2.50–3.00 | ±0.16 | ±0.20 |
| >3.00–4.00 | ±0.18 | ±0.22 |
| >4.00–5.00 | ±0.20 | ±0.25 |
| >5.00–6.00 | ±0.22 | ±0.28 |
| >6.00–8.00 | ±0.25 | ±0.30 |
| >8.00–10.0 | ±0.30 | ±0.35 |
| >10.0–12.5 | ±0.35 | ±0.40 |
| >12.5–16.0 | ±0.40 | ±0.45 |
| BMT (mm) | Width ≤1200mm | Width >1200mm |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 0.70 | +0.015/−0.015 | +0.018/−0.018 |
| >0.70 to 1.60 | +0.012/−0.012 | +0.015/−0.015 |
Per IS 14246:2013 Clause 9.4.1 referencing IS 513. Positive tolerance on width: +10mm. Negative: 0mm.
| Thickness (mm) | Width ≤1000mm | Width >1000mm |
|---|---|---|
| 0.30–0.50 | ±0.040 | ±0.050 |
| >0.50–0.80 | ±0.050 | ±0.060 |
| >0.80–1.25 | ±0.060 | ±0.080 |
| >1.25–2.00 | ±0.090 | ±0.100 |
| >2.00–3.00 | ±0.110 | ±0.120 |
| >3.00–5.00 | ±0.130 | ±0.150 |
| >5.00–8.00 | ±0.160 | ±0.180 |
| >8.00–12.0 | ±0.200 | ±0.230 |
Key properties, thickness range and BIS standard for each sheet type used in Indian industry
| Material | IS Standard | Thickness Range | Density (g/cm³) | Surface | Typical Applications | Tolerance Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR Sheet (Cold Rolled) | IS 513:2008 | 0.25 – 4.00 mm | 7.85 | Skin-passed, bright | Automotive body, white goods, HVAC ducts, general fabrication | Normal (N) / Special (S) |
| HR Sheet (Hot Rolled) | IS 1079:1994 | 1.60 – 10.0 mm | 7.85 | Mill scale, HRPO available | LPG cylinders, press parts, heavy fabrication, drums | Normal / Special per IS 1079 |
| MS Plate (Structural) | IS 2062:2011 | 5.0 – 150 mm | 7.85 | Mill scale | Bridges, vessels, structural frames, ship building | ±2.5% mass per plate |
| GI Sheet (Galvanized) | IS 277:2003 | 0.25 – 2.00 mm BMT | 7.85 + Zn coat | Spangled / matt zinc | Plain roofing, ductwork, general cladding | Per IS 513 on BMT |
| PPGI Sheet | IS 14246:2013 | 0.25 – 1.60 mm BMT | 7.85 + coatings | Pre-painted (polyester/PVDF) | Profiled roofing, PEB cladding, PMAY housing | Per IS 513 on BMT |
| PPGL Sheet (Galvalume) | IS 15961 / IS 14246 | 0.25 – 1.60 mm BMT | 7.85 + Al-Zn coat | Pre-painted (polyester/PVDF) | Coastal roofing, solar structures, premium PEB | Per IS 513 on BMT |
| SS 304 Sheet | IS 6911:1992 | 0.30 – 100 mm | 7.93 | 2B, BA, No.4, Mirror | Kitchen equipment, pharma, food processing, facades | IS 6911 Table 1 |
| SS 316 Sheet | IS 6911:1992 | 0.30 – 100 mm | 7.98 | 2B, BA, No.4, Mirror | Marine, chemical plant, coastal architecture | IS 6911 Table 1 |
| Aluminium Sheet | IS 737:1986 | 0.50 – 100 mm | 2.70 | Mill finish, anodised | Curtain walls, solar panels, transport, packaging | IS 737 tolerance table |
BMT = Base Metal Thickness (before coating). All IS standards available from Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Density values are standard engineering references — actual values may vary by alloy.
Preferred width × length combinations per IS 1730:1989 and market availability at Indian steel service centres
Guidance for engineers, procurement teams, and fabricators on using IS standards correctly
For PPGI and GI roofing sheets, always specify BMT in mm alongside the SWG on your drawing or purchase order. "26G PPGI" is ambiguous — a BIS-certified mill will supply 0.457mm BMT but an uncertified secondary market supplier may supply 0.40mm TCT (which is ~0.36mm BMT after subtracting coating) and call it "26G". Write "26G SWG / 0.457mm BMT minimum, IS 14246:2013 BIS certified" for clarity.
For any steel sheet used in structural or safety-critical applications, demand the Mill Test Certificate (MTC) from the supplier. A valid MTC will state: heat number, chemical composition, mechanical properties, actual measured thickness, and the BIS IS number. Cross-check the BIS licence number on bis.gov.in before accepting delivery. Fabricators who skip MTC verification face rejection of welded structures at third-party inspection.
Use a calibrated digital vernier or micrometer to measure actual sheet thickness on delivery. Measure at least 3 points — both ends and centre — across the width. Compare against IS tolerance tables above. A 0.50mm CR sheet with ±0.040mm tolerance is acceptable between 0.460mm and 0.540mm. Reject sheets outside this range before cutting — you cannot claim replacement after fabrication.
A practical field check: weigh a full sheet on a platform scale and compare against the calculated value. For a 1250×2500mm CR sheet at 1.00mm IS 513: weight = 1.25 × 2.5 × 7.85 = 24.53 kg. If your measured weight is significantly less (e.g. 22 kg), the sheet is approximately 0.90mm — you are receiving under-thickness material. This test catches TMT bar substitution and under-gauge sheet fraud common in secondary markets.
CR sheet (IS 513) has tighter thickness tolerances, better surface finish, and higher yield strength due to work hardening. HR sheet (IS 1079) is cheaper and available in greater thicknesses. For press forming, enclosures, and visible surfaces — use CR. For heavy-duty brackets, structural gussets, bases, and boilerwork ≥2.5mm — use HR or IS 2062 plate. Mixing up the standard on a drawing leads to mismatched procurement and failed fit-up during assembly.
A common misconception: engineers specify "IS 2062 ±0.5mm" on structural plate drawings. IS 2062 does not define thickness tolerance in mm — it uses a ±2.5% mass per plate allowance. For accurate dimensional control on structural plates, additionally cite IS 1730 preferred thickness series and request camber, flatness, and squareness conformance. For critical pressure vessels or bridges, specify EN 10029 tolerance class C or D explicitly on the drawing.
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Common questions about steel sheet thickness standards in India