10 Common Things That Weigh 10 Grams

By Measurement Of TeamILast update - Apr 24, 2024I6 Min Read
10 Common Things That Weigh 10 Grams blog header.webp

Introduction

While we use kilograms to weigh heavy things, grams are used for lighter ones. You might be interested in the common items that weigh 10 grams because having this information can be helpful to calibrate scales, convert grams to other units, or just satisfy your curious mind!

There are a lot of everyday items that weigh ten grams. Some are easy to find, while others are not. Continue reading to learn about the most common ones! 

How Heavy Is 10 Grams?

It is 100 times 1 gram of course! If you want to compare with other units, 10 gram is about 0.35 ounces and one-hundredth of 1 Kg. 

10 gram = 0.35 oz

10 gram = 0.022 lb

1. Two Sheets of A4 Paper

Paper is another item that we all use frequently and are familiar with, just like pencils. Although extremely light, how much do papers actually weigh? 

A sheet of A4 paper
Photo by Asya Vlasova from Pexels

A standard A4 sheet made with 80 gsm paper weighs only 5 grams. Typically, these are called office paper. Yep, it is that much light! So, holding two papers together yields a ten-gram weight. 

2. A Graphite Pencil

Let’s start with something easy to come by: a graphite pencil! These pencils are made of graphite, which is a form of crystalline carbonA regular size, unsharpened graphite pencil weighs about 10 grams. However, the weight can vary depending on the size. Some graphite pencils can weigh up to 15 grams. Mechanical pencils are heavier. 

pexels-tirachard-kumtanom-733854.webp
Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom on Pexels

These pencils are a great way to get started with drawing. It’s also useful for sketching out ideas and brainstorming. Made a mistake while drawing? No problem; simply erase the incorrect bits, as graphite pencil markings can be easily removed. 

3. Ten Birthday Candles

Another common object we all have seen is birthday candles. These are 2-inch long single or multiple colored tiny candles. Each candle usually weighs about a gram when these are unused. So, ten of these candles will give you exactly 10 grams.

lan-gao-mo28-RNn8j4-unsplash.webp
Photo by Lan Gao from Unsplash

These candles should be brand new and unused for accurate measurement. Keep in mind that if they have any additional decorations, they will weigh more. 

4. Two Nickels 

Nickels are among the oldest coins in circulation and were first minted in 1794. All American nickels weigh exactly 5 grams each. So, two of them will make 10 grams of weight in total!

US nickels

Nickel is worth five-cent. Interestingly, nickels are the only coins that are called by their metal content. Though it’s only 25% of nickel, the other 75% is copper.

A similar object with this weight can be 20 pence in the United Kingdom. Each of them is also 5 grams and can be a 10-gm weight with two.

5. Four US Penny

The US penny is another common item that can be used to figure out how much 10gm is. Penny was originally made of copper, which was later switched to zinc in 1982. And, just like Nickels, the weight of US pennies is fixed.

pexels-jeff-weese-64824.webp
Photo by Jeff Weese from Pexels

And these pennies weigh exactly 2.5 grams. So, we need four pennies together to estimate 10 grams of weight! 

Now, if you have a bunch of pennies or nickels, you can see how much-hidden weight there is in your pocket or purse. You might even want to try weighing several pieces of metal that are close in size and shape to these coins—you’ll be surprised by what you find.

This article is exclusively written for MeasurementOf.

6. Ten Paper Clips

Paperclips are standard office and educational materials. They come in different shapes and sizes. Despite their simplicity, paperclips have a clever design and are lightweight.

The paperclip features a thin metal rod with a round head on one end and a clasp on the other. The round head is designed to fit into a hole in the paper while the clip holds it in place10 thumbtacks as 10gm reference

A pink paperclip is on the yellow paper note.
Photo by SHVETS production from Pexels

But how much does a single paper clip weigh? A standard-sized paper clip weighs about 1 gram. So, that means you can get an idea of 10 gm of weight by holding ten paper clips. However, other jumbo-sized paperclips will weigh more than this.

7. Ten Thumbtacks

Thumbtacks are a staple in every home. They are perfect for holding posters or hanging pictures. They’re small and lightweight, easy to use. Thumbtacks can also hold papers together. They’re mainly made of metal, so they don’t break easily.

Purple and red thumbtacks are randomly dispersed on a light pink surface
Photo by SHVETS production on Pexels

If you want to weigh 10 grams, thumbtacks are a great option. Each thumbtack weighs almost 1 gram. So ten thumbtacks together will weigh approximately 10 grams. However, this weight is for standard-size thumbtacks. It can vary depending on different sizes.

If you want something that weighs less but isn’t as frail as a paperclip, consider using a thumbtack instead!

8. One tablespoon flour

To measure or understand ten grams, you can also use a tablespoon designed to measure grams. They will be the most accurate tools besides scales. Tablespoons come in six different shapes.

There are some specific spoons with 10g, 25g, or 50g labeled on the handles. Take a 10g marked spoon and fill it with flour. And you’ll get exactly 10 grams of flour. Knock off the excess flour and keep the upper surface flat for accurate measurement.

One tablespoon flour measured from a steel bowl full of flour
Photo by Klaus Nielsen on Pexels

You can also take sugar or salt to get a 10-gram weight. And if you don’t have a tablespoon, you can use a teaspoon instead. One tablespoon is generally equal to 3 teaspoons. 

9. A Coffee Scoop

Another kitchen item reference can be a coffee scoop. We rarely worry about exact coffee measures because we can brew a great cup of coffee with just a coffee scoop. But how much does a coffee scoop weigh? 

A scoop of coffee taken out from a ground coffee holder. Its lid is rested on the platform beside the jar.
Photo by vonvix from Unsplash

A heaping scoop of ground coffee is about 10 grams (0.35 ounces), equivalent to two regular-size tablespoons. The weight of this spoon varies depending on its material and size. It can weigh between 10 grams and 15 grams per scoop. Read more about coffee measurements!

10. Six Playing Cards

You have probably played a game of cards now and then. It’s great for passing time whether you are with family or friends. If you remember holding a deck of cards in your hands, then it can help with approximating 10gm weight. A pocket-size deck of cards is about 3.3 ounces. So 6 of these cards will be a little over 10gm.

7 playing cards of different suits arranged and kept on a black table. There is a pocked watch and candle in a stand on the table too.
Photo by Kendall Hoopes on Pexels

Next time you are playing a tournament or just for fun, take 5/6 pocket size cards in hand to get the feel of the said weight. For larger cards, the number of cards will be less.

Conclusion

Ten gm is much smaller if you compare with amount like 10 lbs10 kgs or even 10 oz. But it is a significant weight while cooking, where a tablespoon measurement can have a big impact. Keep in mind, these were only a few everyday common items that weigh 10 grams; you can find more if you keep a lookout for them. 

Weight Conversion

Convert kg to lbs or any unit to another now. Check out our Weight Conversion Calculator!