How Long Is an 80mm Thermal Paper Roll?

Many small businesses and retailers often wonder, “How long is an 80mm thermal paper roll?” The answer isn’t one fixed number – it depends on the roll’s diameter, core size, and paper thickness. In this guide we’ll explain the common lengths of 80 mm (3 1/8 inch) thermal rolls, how factors like paper weight (GSM) and core size affect length, and which printers and industries use these rolls. Whether you run a POS system, kiosk, or ATM, you’ll learn the typical receipt paper lengths and how to choose the right roll for your needs. Let’s dive in with a friendly overview.

80mm Roll Dimensions and Variations

An “80 mm” thermal roll refers to the paper width (3 1/8 inches) – the roll can have various diameters. Common diameters and lengths include:

• 80mm × 70mm roll (≈2.85″ diameter): yields about 70 meters of paper (≈230 feet). This is the most common size for POS receipt printers. For example, a 3 1/8″×230′ (80×70 mm) roll is a best-seller. It typically has an inner core of ~11–13 mm (⅜–½″) in diameter.
• 80mm × 80mm roll (≈3.15″ diameter): can provide 80 meters or more of paper. Thin 48 gsm thermal paper on an 80×80 mm roll can reach up to ~80–88 m. (Note: 55 gsm paper on the same 80×80 mm roll is only ~50 m – lighter (lower GSM) paper goes farther on the same roll diameter.)
• 80mm × 50mm roll (≈2.0″ diameter): compact mini-rolls of about 50 m length exist. For example, 1″-core (25 mm) rolls of size 80 mm×50 m are sold for high-volume POS use.
• 80mm × 100m roll: ultra-long heavy-duty rolls (often with a 40 mm core and ~140 mm outer diameter) provide 100 meters of paperitgstore.eu. These are used in kiosks, parking machines, or ATMs where a long run without replacement is neededitgstore.eu.

In practice, you’ll most often see around 70–80 m in a standard 80×80 or 80×70 roll. Shorter 50–60 m rolls are also common, and specialty units can exceed 100 m on very thick cores. The table below summarizes typical 80mm roll lengths:

• 17–30 m – Small 80×50 mm rolls (for very compact printers; heavy paper).
• 50 m (≈164 ft) – Medium rolls (often 1″ core, 25.4 mm) designed for high-volume use.
• 70 m (≈230 ft) – Standard POS rolls (11–13 mm core, 72–83 mm diameter).
• 80 m (≈262 ft) – Larger rolls on ~80 mm diameter, especially with thin 48 gsm paper.
• 100 m+ – Kiosk/ATM rolls (large 40 mm core, ~140 mm OD).

Each printer’s documentation will specify acceptable core sizes (e.g. 11 mm or 13 mm) and maximum roll diameter. So, when choosing a roll, match the paper width (80 mm) plus a supported core/diameter.

What Affects Roll Length?

The length of paper on an 80 mm roll is affected by:

• Paper thickness (GSM): Thinner (lower GSM) paper can be wound longer for the same roll diameter. For example, an 80×80 mm roll of 48 gsm paper holds about 70–88 m, whereas a thicker 55 gsm roll of the same size holds only ~50 m. A 52 gsm roll falls in between at ~58 m. In short, lighter GSM ➞ longer rolls.
• Roll diameter: Larger roll diameters simply hold more paper. A roll with an 80 mm diameter has more paper than one with a 70 mm diameter. For instance, common 70 mm-dia rolls are about 70 m long, while 80 mm-dia rolls can reach 80+ m.
• Core size: The inner tube (core) takes up space. A thicker core (e.g. 25 mm instead of 11 mm) slightly reduces the available paper length for the same outer diameter. Rolls for self-service kiosks or long-storage ATMs often use a 40 mm coreitgstore.eu to get more total length (100 m). Standard POS rolls usually use smaller cores (11–13 mm).
• Winding and marketing: Some manufacturers roll very tightly or loosely. Also, some rolls are sold in feet (e.g. “230 ft”) rather than meters. (For example, 230 ft ≈ 70 m.)

In practice, most suppliers’ state roll length on the package. If you compare brands, note any difference in GSM or core to understand why one 80 mm roll might be longer than another. In general, to maximize length on an 80 mm roll, you’d choose a high yield roll (e.g. 48 gsm) on a large diameter.

Compatibility with Printers (Epson, Star, Bixolon, etc.)

The 3 1/8-inch (80 mm) width is a standard POS thermal roll size. Nearly all modern receipt printers and cash registers that use an 80 mm width can handle these rolls. For example, rolls like the 3 1/8″×230′ (80×70 mm) thermal paper are specifically made to fit Epson TM-T88 series, Star Micronics TSP series, Bixolon SRP-350/370, Citizen CT-S310, and even Clover Station printers. In fact, retailers often cite that 80 mm (3 1/8″) is the “most common thermal POS printer paper roll size”.

When checking compatibility, match these key specs:

• Width: Your printer must support 80 mm (3 1/8″) paper. (Many brands list this explicitly, or refer to it as 3¼″ or “80 mm”.)
• Core: Typical cores for 80 mm rolls are 11 mm (7/16″), 13 mm (½″), or larger. For instance, many rolls come on an 11 mm corewhile some heavy-duty rolls use a 13 mm core.
• Diameter: Check the maximum roll diameter the printer can handle (often ~80 mm or more for desktop printers). For example, many Epson/Star printers can fit an 80 mm roll up to about 80–83 mm in diameter (3.25″).
• Paper type: Ensure the printer uses thermal (direct thermal) paper, as opposed to bond or thermal transfer. Standard 80 mm receipt printers use direct thermal rolls.

Here are a few well-known printers that use 80 mm thermal rolls:

• Epson: TM-T88III/T88IV/T88V/T20 series, TM-H6000, etc.
• Star Micronics: TSP100, TSP300, TSP700, SP700, etc.
• Bixolon: SRP-350, SRP-370, SRP-300 series.
• Citizen: CT-S310, CBM230, etc.
• Clover Station and other countertop POS printers.

In short, if your printer manual says “80 mm (3.15″) thermal paper,” you can use any 80 mm roll of the correct core and diameter. Always double-check the core ID and maximum OD against your device specs.

Use Cases by Industry

80 mm thermal rolls are incredibly versatile. Here are common use cases across industries:

• Retail Stores (grocers, clothing, electronics, etc.): Virtually all cash registers and POS systems use 80 mm receipts. High-volume stores often use longer rolls (70–80 m) to minimize roll changes. Example: POS Supply notes that 3 1/8″×230′ (80×70 mm, ~70 m) rolls are “perfect for POS receipt printers… at restaurants, retail stores, or any other business.”
• Hospitality & Restaurants: Bars, cafés, and restaurants print order tickets and receipts on 80 mm rolls. Fast-food kitchens also use 80 mm rolls for kitchen printers. The broad availability of 80 mm “receipt paper” makes it ideal in busy service environments.
• Banking and ATMs: Many bank machines and teller slip printers use 80 mm paper. ATMs often use 3 1/8″×220′ (80×67 mm) or similar long rolls for transaction receipts. Specialized ATM rolls (sometimes called “journal rolls”) may be thicker. (Some banking branches also use 80 mm rolls for counter receipts and credit card slips.)
• Kiosks, Ticketing & Self-Service: Parking ticket machines, vending kiosks, information kiosks, barriers, and ticket booths often use 80 mm rolls, especially when they need a long run length. For instance, one European supplier describes 80 mm×100 m (with 40 mm core) rolls specifically for parking machines, barrier controls, and info-kiosks that “need paper rolls as long as possible”.
• Gaming & Lottery: Slot machines and lottery terminals often use 80 mm paper for vouchers or game prints.
• Transportation & Logistics: Ticket printers at cinemas, buses, or ferry terminals may use 80 mm rolls for tickets (as noted by industry sources).

No matter the industry, 80 mm is a global standard. As one supplier puts it, the 80 mm roll is “widely used globally and is the most popular size”. Its universality means easy sourcing: most countries’ local POS suppliers carry 80 mm rolls in various lengths and thicknesses.

Local Variations and Standards

Thermal paper standards can vary by region:

• United States/Canada: 80 mm is often referred to as 3 1/8″ thermal paper. Retailers frequently list roll lengths in feet (e.g. 230′) with the metric equivalent in parentheses. For example, 3 1/8″×230′ (80×70 mm) is a standard POS roll in North America.
• Europe/Middle East: 80 mm (metric) is used, and lengths are given in meters. One manufacturer note that 80×70 mm is “the most popular cash register paper roll size in [the] Middle East”. European suppliers also stock large 80×80 or 80×100 m rolls for kiosks and ATMs.
• Asia & Other Regions: Asian markets likewise adopt 80 mm. In India, for instance, 80 mm rolls of 50–80 m lengths are very common for retail POS (some local suppliers even label them explicitly, e.g. “ATPOS 80mm Thermal Paper – 80m Length”). Australia and Canada explicitly list 3.125″×225′ (80×69 m) rolls for widespread printers.

Overall, the width (80 mm) is fixed, but check local availability of desired lengths. Some regions may favor slightly different roll diameters: e.g. Malaysia and Middle East often use 70 mm diameter rolls (~70 m), while others offer 80 mm diameter (~80–90 m) as standard. If you have a local supplier, you can ask what GSM and length they provide for 80 mm rolls – a common “standard” is 80×70 mm at 70 m.

FAQ

Q: What is the standard length of an 80mm thermal roll?
A: There’s no single “standard” length. Common lengths are around 70–80 meters for POS receipt rolls. For example, a 3⅛″×230′ roll is ~70 m. thicker rolls (lower length) and specialty rolls (up to 100 m) are also sold. Always check the packaging or spec sheet.

Q: What affects an 80mm roll’s length?
A: Mostly paper thickness (GSM) and roll diameter. Thinner (lower GSM) paper yields longer roll. For instance, on an 80×80 mm roll, 48 gsm paper can give ~70–88 m, while 55 gsm gives ~50 m. A larger roll diameter also holds more paper. The core size and how tightly it’s wound have smaller effects.

Q: What core sizes are used for 80mm rolls?
A: Standard POS rolls use small cores around 11 mm or 13 mm inner diameter. Heavy-duty rolls might use 25 mm or 40 mm cores. For example, many 80×70 mm rolls come on an 11 mm core, whereas long 100 m rolls use a 40 mm coreitgstore.eu.

Q: Can I use any 80mm roll in my printer?
A: Only if it fits your printer’s specs. Check your printer manual: it should list the paper width (80 mm), max roll diameter, and core size. Any 80 mm roll meeting those requirements will work. Major brands like Epson TM-T88, Star TSP, Bixolon, Citizen, etc. all take 80 mm rollsso generic 80 mm thermal paper rolls are widely interchangeable.

Q: What is the difference between 80mm and 57mm rolls?
A: 80 mm rolls are 3 1/8″ wide and are the standard for most countertop POS machines. 57 mm (2 1/4″) rolls are narrower, used in smaller mobile printers and credit card terminals. They are not interchangeable; use the width your printer requires.

Q: How long will print stay legible on thermal paper?
A: Good quality thermal paper can hold an image for 5–7 years if stored properly. So your receipts won’t fade quickly under normal conditions. 80 mm rolls use the same thermal technology as other receipt rolls, producing sharp, fade-resistant prints.

Q: Where can I buy 80mm thermal rolls locally?
A: Look for office/retail supply stores or online vendors that sell POS consumables. Search for “3 1/8 inch thermal paper” or “80mm thermal roll”. Local names may vary (e.g., “receipt paper rolls 80mm x 70m”). Many suppliers offer bulk packs of 80mm rolls. Since it’s a global standard size, you should find it easily in Bangladesh, India, or any country.

Q: What does “3 1/8 x 230′” mean?
A: That’s just the imperial notation. 3 1/8″ is 80 mm, and 230 feet ≈ 70 m. So “3 1/8 x 230′” is the same as “80 mm x ~70 m” (common POS roll).

Summary:

An 80 mm thermal till roll can range from a few tens of meters up to 100 m or more. The typical POS length is ~70 m (230′), but 50 m and 100 m rolls exist. Length depends on thickness, diameter, and core size. These rolls fit standard receipt printers (Epson, Star, Bixolon, etc.), and are used in retail, hospitality, banking (ATMs), kiosks, and many other industries. Always check your printer specs and supplier info to pick the right 80 mm roll size for your application.