In recent years, records have grown in popularity, with many people beginning to collect or enjoy this media type. You need to learn how much a record weighs if you’re trying to store or ship your vinyl records. Each vinyl record should weigh 180 grams as per current industry standards.
Vinyl records have a unique quality that makes listening to music an extra-special experience. Even though vinyl is no longer the most popular way to listen to music, people enjoy the novelty factor.
Whether you love to collect and store vinyl records, ship one to your friend, or even sell them, it is essential to learn how much a vinyl record weighs.
This blog will help you learn about the standard vinyl and its weight should you wish to send it through media mail.
How Much Do Records Weigh?
We mentioned above how a record label offers a novelty factor to the listener. However, they are not a novel concept for audiophiles.
Vinyl records are one of the most common, if not the most common, types of storage media.
These were created decades ago but have regained their lost fame in the past few years. They still work like a charm, and more people purchase heavier records for their turntable.
So, now let’s get on to the main questions – how much do these weigh?
Most vinyl records made in the twentieth century weighed between 120 and 140 grams. This was the usual range, while several exceptions, such as RCA Records’ patented Dynaflex disc, debuted in 1969.
The old records weighed roughly 80 grams but were phased out by the decade’s end.
Other recordings weighed up at 200 grams or more and were regarded as genuine audiophile grade.
In recent years, producers and labels have been releasing 180-gram records. However, the audible gains are contested and typically thought to be mostly inconsequential.
People are most interested in knowing the weight of a record when they need to ship their vinyl record collection.
Remember that the record’s sleeves, also called the inner sleeve and outer sleeve, will contribute to the total weight; this information is only for the discs themselves.
Current Industry Standard Of Vinyl Records
Each vinyl record, on average, weighs 180-grams according to current industry standards.
As previously stated, there are some general industry norms that most records will adhere to. The 180-gram vinyl is the most widely accepted industry standard.
So, does this imply that all new records have the same weight?
No!
For starters, it will be determined by the size of a record. Even modern standard vinyl records come in three sizes, with the 12 inches weighing 180g each.
Then, we have the five, seven, and 10- inch vinyl records, which will not weigh much because of their reduced size. The most common variants are seven-inch vinyl which usually weighs around 40 grams per record, while the 10-inch record is weighed at 100 grams.
As a result, if there are 100s of them, the total weight will be substantially lower.
Picture discs, depending on the size, also weigh the same. So, a 12-inch picture disc vinyl will be 140-180 grams.
Why Does Record Weight Matter?
There’s a reason for all the hoopla about how heavy a vinyl record is.
Many audiophiles believe that, in addition to industry standards, the weight of the record has a considerable impact on how it sounds. The sound quality is drastically altered if it is too light or heavy.
Although this is arguable, most current vinyl records weigh one hundred eighty grams. This is also used as a selling point for artists, producers, and record labels who make sure that the record weight is stated on the front label as heavyweight vinyl.
There’s more to vinyl weight than meets the eye. Part of the cost of shipping is determined by how much something weighs. Whether it’s a letter or a vinyl record, this is true. When ordering records online, paying attention to that detail is essential, so you know how much the mailing cost will be.
Another reason why the weight of vinyl matters is to know how to move them safely.
Depending on the number of vinyl records, the entire weight impacts how many people a single person can lift. Whether it’s from one side of the room to the other or from your current address to a new one, having an idea of the total weight really helps.
Trust me on this, I have a record collection of over 2000 pieces of vinyl and have recently moved house!
This may not occur to everyone learning about owning vinyl records. You are sure to ask this question for people who have a personal collection of more than 100 records or are planning to get some delivered.
If we talk about moving 100 records, your package would weigh approximately 39 pounds.
How To Mail Vinyl Records?
Suppose you plan on sending records through the mail. In that case, you’ll need to consider how to package vinyl records for the shipment before calculating the cost of shipping a single record or an entire collection.
If you send a record in the mail, it can easily be destroyed if the packaging is not done correctly. Therefore, it is critical to want your vinyl to arrive in the same condition as when you sent them.
I’ve seen some horror stories from people who brought records through Discogs, and they have arrived scratched, warped, or even in pieces!
Packaging Your Records
So, how to ensure the transportation is safe and damage-free? I recommend you look into record shipping and mailer boxes to keep them protected. You can easily use one box per record and mail it without any worries.
If you are looking to mail 100s of records, the best solution is to get a vinyl record storage box. I used these boxes when I was moving houses. They are big enough to hold plenty of records and durable enough to keep them safe while moving.
All in all, it is critical if you want your vinyl to arrive in the same condition as when you sent them.
Related Questions
How much does a vinyl record weigh in grams?
The weight of vinyl records varies as per their size typically. For 12 inch vinyl, the average weight is between 140 grams and 180 grams. However, the five and seven-inch records weigh lesser in comparison.
Why does the weight of records matter?
It is debatable, but the weight of records does matter at times. Although record needles require the same grooves on all grades of records to function effectively, heavier records have specific advantages. 180-gram records are said to be tougher and more durable. They last longer and are less likely to break.
Why do you put a penny on a record player?
Many people used a cent to keep the needle or tonearm on a turntable from skipping back in the day.
Can you clean vinyl records with water?
It is recommended to only use de-ionized or distilled water instead of tap water. Before beginning, always remove surface dirt before beginning any thorough cleaning operation. To maintain its originality, never use rubbing alcohol to clean vinyl records.
Final Words
As previously stated, the weight of vinyl records is determined by various factors. This includes the era in which they were made, the size of the record, and the quality of the product.
The current industry standard tells us that a record should weigh exactly 180 grams. But what if you have more than one vinyl?
If you don’t have a scale large enough to weigh, let’s say, 100 vinyl records, you can weigh one from your collection and multiply it by the number of records.
This way, you should determine the estimated weight, which will save you the hassle of shipping it conveniently using a reliable provider such as USPS media mail.
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