Food, drink & pharmaMaker spec
Coffee grind sifting
Sieves from 200 to 1600 µm
Coffee sifters stack interchangeable sieves between 200 and 1600 µm to isolate a target grind range.
Opening range200 µm – 1.6 mm
01 — StandardWhat is 14 mesh in microns?
A US standard No. 14 test sieve (ASTM E11) has a nominal opening of 1,400 µm.
02 — Specifications14 mesh specifications
| Opening (microns) | 1,400 µm |
| Opening (millimeters) | 1.4 mm |
| Opening (inches) | 0.0551 in |
| US standard sieve | No. 14 |
| Tyler equivalent | 12 mesh |
| Pitch (wire center to center) | 2,110 µm |
| Typical wire diameter | 0.71 mm |
| Approx. open area | 44% |
03 — ApplicationsWhat is 14 mesh used for?
A 1,400 µm opening falls within the very coarse sand (1 mm–2 mm) class of the Wentworth grain-size scale. Comparing grain size with the nominal opening only: coarse sand and finer would pass; granules and coarser would be retained; very coarse sand is split at about 1,400 µm. Real sieving also depends on particle shape, sieving time and the opening tolerance of the cloth.
These applications commonly use a 14 mesh count or an opening near 1,400 µm:
Ranges show common practice with sources on the mesh size by application page — always check your equipment maker's recommendation.
04 — CalculationHow the 14 mesh value is calculated
The name "14 mesh" suggests 14 openings per inch, i.e. a pitch of 25,400 ÷ 14 = 1,814.3 µm. Standard test sieves, however, are defined by their opening, not by the count: a 1,400 µm opening woven with the typical 0.71 mm wire gives a real pitch of 1,400 + 710 = 2,110 µm, which is about 12 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 18 mesh | 1,000 | 1 | 0.0394 |
| 20 mesh | 850 | 0.85 | 0.0335 |
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 14 mesh?
14 mesh is 1,400 µm, which is 1.4 mm or 0.0551 inches.
What size particles pass through a 14 mesh screen?
In a simplified comparison with the nominal opening, particles smaller than about 1,400 µm can pass a 14 mesh screen. A 1,400 µm opening falls within the very coarse sand (1 mm–2 mm) class of the Wentworth grain-size scale. Comparing grain size with the nominal opening only: coarse sand and finer would pass; granules and coarser would be retained; very coarse sand is split at about 1,400 µm. Real sieving also depends on particle shape, sieving time and the opening tolerance of the cloth.
What is the open area of 14 mesh?
With a typical 0.71 mm wire, 14 mesh has roughly 44% open area. Thicker wire lowers the open area and the opening size.
Why do some charts list 14 mesh as 1,180 µm?
Those charts use the older Tyler scale, where 14 mesh corresponds to 1,180 µm (ASTM No. 16). In the US standard (ASTM E11) series, No. 14 is 1,400 µm.