Anilox conversion calculator
Convert anilox screen ruling between L/cm and LPI, and cell volume between cm³/m² and BCM — with a reference table of common rolls.
Exact unit conversions. The wet film figure is theoretical — real ink transfer is typically 30–50% of the cell volume.
Anilox conversion table
Screen ruling
| L/cm | LPI |
|---|---|
| 60 | 152 |
| 80 | 203 |
| 100 | 254 |
| 120 | 305 |
| 140 | 356 |
| 160 | 406 |
| 180 | 457 |
| 200 | 508 |
| 240 | 610 |
| 300 | 762 |
| 400 | 1016 |
| 500 | 1270 |
Cell volume
| BCM | cm³/m² |
|---|---|
| 0.8 | 1.24 |
| 1.0 | 1.55 |
| 1.5 | 2.33 |
| 2.0 | 3.10 |
| 2.5 | 3.88 |
| 3.0 | 4.65 |
| 4.0 | 6.20 |
| 5.0 | 7.75 |
| 6.0 | 9.30 |
| 8.0 | 12.40 |
| 10.0 | 15.50 |
| 12.0 | 18.60 |
Typical anilox specs by job type
| Screen ruling | Cell volume | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 60–100 L/cm (152–254 LPI) | 8–12 BCM (12.4–18.6 cm³/m²) | Adhesives, laminating, heavy coatings and varnish |
| 100–160 L/cm (254–406 LPI) | 5–8 BCM (7.8–12.4 cm³/m²) | Opaque white on film, heavy solids, metallics |
| 160–250 L/cm (406–635 LPI) | 3–5 BCM (4.7–7.8 cm³/m²) | Line work and solids, combination jobs |
| 250–400 L/cm (635–1016 LPI) | 1.5–3 BCM (2.3–4.7 cm³/m²) | Process colour, fine text and combination work |
| 400+ L/cm (1016+ LPI) | 0.8–1.5 BCM (1.2–2.3 cm³/m²) | High-line process work and fine highlight dots |
Industry starting points, not product specifications. The right anilox depends on your ink, substrate, plate and press — confirm the spec with your anilox supplier, or ask us.
How this works
Anilox rolls are specified two ways. European presses, suppliers and engravers quote the screen ruling in lines per centimetre (L/cm) and the cell volume in cm³/m². US and imported datasheets quote lines per inch (LPI) and BCM — billion cubic microns per square inch. The roll is the same; only the units differ.
Both conversions are exact. One inch is 2.54 cm, so LPI = L/cm × 2.54. One BCM is 10⁹ cubic microns per square inch, which works out to 1.55 cm³/m² — so cm³/m² = BCM × 1.55.
The volume figure doubles as a film thickness: 1 cm³/m² spread over one square metre is exactly one micron thick, so a 4.0 cm³/m² anilox carries a theoretical 4.0 µm wet film. That is the ceiling, not the reality — cells never release all their ink, and real transfer usually lands between 30% and 50% depending on ink rheology, substrate, doctor blade setting and cell geometry.
Common questions
How do I convert BCM to cm³/m²?
Multiply by 1.55. A 2.0 BCM anilox is 3.10 cm³/m². The other way, divide by 1.55: a 5 cm³/m² roll is 3.23 BCM.
How do I convert LPI to L/cm?
Divide by 2.54 for L/cm, multiply by 2.54 for LPI. A 1000 LPI anilox is 394 L/cm, and the common European 400 L/cm roll is 1016 LPI.
Does a higher line count mean less ink?
Usually, but line count alone does not set ink laydown — cell volume does. A finer ruling packs more, smaller cells into the same area, which normally lowers total volume, but two rolls with the same line count can carry different volumes depending on cell depth and geometry. Always specify both figures.