01 — StandardWhat is 10 mesh in microns?
A US standard No. 10 test sieve (ASTM E11) has a nominal opening of 2,000 µm.
02 — Specifications10 mesh specifications
| Opening (microns) | 2,000 µm |
| Opening (millimeters) | 2 mm |
| Opening (inches) | 0.0787 in |
| US standard sieve | No. 10 |
| Tyler equivalent | 9 mesh |
| Pitch (wire center to center) | 2,900 µm |
| Typical wire diameter | 0.9 mm |
| Approx. open area | 48% |
03 — ApplicationsWhat is 10 mesh used for?
A 2,000 µm opening sits exactly on the Wentworth boundary between very coarse sand and granules. Comparing grain size with the nominal opening only: grains up to and including 2,000 µm would pass; grains larger than 2,000 µm would be retained. Real sieving also depends on particle shape, sieving time and the opening tolerance of the cloth.
We have no sourced application data for openings this size yet.
Ranges show common practice with sources on the mesh size by application page — always check your equipment maker's recommendation.
04 — CalculationHow the 10 mesh value is calculated
The name "10 mesh" suggests 10 openings per inch, i.e. a pitch of 25,400 ÷ 10 = 2,540 µm. Standard test sieves, however, are defined by their opening, not by the count: a 2,000 µm opening woven with the typical 0.9 mm wire gives a real pitch of 2,000 + 900 = 2,900 µm, which is about 8.8 wires per inch. That is why mesh numbers and micron values never line up perfectly — and why this site uses the ASTM E11 opening as the answer.
05 — CompareNearby mesh sizes
| Mesh | Microns (µm) | Millimeters | Inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 mesh | 4,750 | 4.75 | 0.187 |
| 8 mesh | 2,360 | 2.36 | 0.0929 |
| 10 mesh | 2,000 | 2 | 0.0787 |
| 12 mesh | 1,700 | 1.7 | 0.0669 |
| 14 mesh | 1,400 | 1.4 | 0.0551 |
| 16 mesh | 1,180 | 1.18 | 0.0465 |
Values are ASTM E11 nominal openings (Tyler equivalents for 150 and 250 mesh). Italic ≈ values are estimates for non-standard mesh counts, calculated from the mesh count and an assumed wire diameter (interpolated between ASTM E11 sieves, or extrapolated beyond No. 635). Wire values are ASTM E11 typical wire for standard sizes.
06 — FAQFrequently asked questions
How many microns is 10 mesh?
10 mesh is 2,000 µm, which is 2 mm or 0.0787 inches.
What size particles pass through a 10 mesh screen?
In a simplified comparison with the nominal opening, particles smaller than about 2,000 µm can pass a 10 mesh screen. A 2,000 µm opening sits exactly on the Wentworth boundary between very coarse sand and granules. Comparing grain size with the nominal opening only: grains up to and including 2,000 µm would pass; grains larger than 2,000 µm would be retained. Real sieving also depends on particle shape, sieving time and the opening tolerance of the cloth.
What is the open area of 10 mesh?
With a typical 0.9 mm wire, 10 mesh has roughly 48% open area. Thicker wire lowers the open area and the opening size.
Why do some charts list 10 mesh as 1,700 µm?
Those charts use the older Tyler scale, where 10 mesh corresponds to 1,700 µm (ASTM No. 12). In the US standard (ASTM E11) series, No. 10 is 2,000 µm.