ream
ream
Countexact by definition
A ream is exactly 500 sheets of paper, the standard package for cut office stock. The factor is exact by definition.
Watch out: Paper basis weight in pounds is quoted per ream of a stock's basic size, which differs by grade, so 20 lb bond and 50 lb offset are nearly the same thickness of paper. Comparing weights across grades requires grams per square metre instead.
| 1 ream | 500 |
Where the unit came from
The older short ream was 480 sheets, twenty quires of 24, and 500 was the printer's ream that allowed for spoilage in the press run. The larger count won as machine-made paper made spoilage allowances unnecessary, and the number stuck.
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