The Avetco Guide

Leather Types & Sizes

Everything you need to choose the right hide — the leathers we stock, how thickness is measured, and how hides are sized and sold.

The Leather We Stock

Each leather has its own character, weight range and ideal use. Here is how our core hides and skins compare.

Cowhide

The everyday workhorse

Durable, versatile and available in the widest range of weights and finishes — from soft garment leather to firm tooling sides.

1–12 oz

Best for: Bags, belts, upholstery, tooling, footwear, garment

Lambskin

Soft & luxurious

Feather-light and buttery with a fine, elegant grain. The go-to for fashion and fine leather goods.

1–3 oz

Best for: Garments, linings, fine accessories, gloves, bookbinding

Goatskin

Strong yet supple

A distinctive grain with surprising strength for its weight, and it holds rich colour beautifully.

2–4 oz

Best for: Accessories, handbags, bookbinding, footwear

Pig Suede & Split

Light & breathable

Lightweight, flexible and breathable — a long-time favourite for linings and soft garment work.

1–2 oz

Best for: Linings, garments, craft

Buffalo

Rugged character

Heavier and tougher than cowhide, with a bold pronounced grain and a deep, waxy pull-up.

4–10 oz

Best for: Rugged bags, belts, upholstery

Understanding Weight & Thickness

Leather thickness is measured in ounces (oz) — each ounce equals roughly 1/64″ (about 0.4 mm). Use this chart to match weight to your project.

Weight	Inches	Millimetres	Typical Use
1 oz	1/64″	0.4 mm	Garment, lining, bookbinding
2 oz	1/32″	0.8 mm	Wallets, soft bags, pouches
3 oz	3/64″	1.2 mm	Handbags, cases, moccasins
4 oz	1/16″	1.6 mm	Lined belts, structured bags
5 oz	5/64″	2.0 mm	Belts, collars, straps
6 oz	3/32″	2.4 mm	Heavy belts, light holsters
7–8 oz	7/64–1/8″	2.8–3.2 mm	Holsters, knife sheaths, tooling
9–10 oz	9/64–5/32″	3.6–4.0 mm	Saddlery, armour, heavy tooling
11–12 oz	11/64–3/16″	4.4–4.8 mm	Soles, straps, heavy-duty work

Quick tip: When a hide is listed as a range like “2/3 oz,” it means the thickness falls between 2 oz and 3 oz (≈0.8–1.2 mm). Natural leather varies slightly across a single hide.

Hide Shapes & Sizes

Leather is a natural material — every hide is unique and varies in shape and size. These are the average size ranges for our most common hides, from cow, lamb, goat and pig. Use them as a guide for choosing the right hide for your project.

Cow — Full Hide

≈ 45–55 sq ft

Average 72″ × 48″. A whole cowhide — the maximum yield for production cutting.

Cow — Side Hide

≈ 22–28 sq ft

Average 72″ × 24″. Half a hide, cut along the backbone — the most common format.

Cow — Double Shoulder

≈ 12–16 sq ft

Average 34″ × 48″. Firm, dense fibre — a favourite for tooling and straps.

Cow — Single Shoulder

≈ 6–9 sq ft

Average 32″ × 28″. A single shoulder — ideal for smaller tooling projects.

Lamb — Full Hide

≈ 7–12 sq ft

Average 32″ × 28″, with larger skins available. A soft, lightweight skin, sold whole.

Goat — Full Hide

≈ 6–8 sq ft

Average 32″ × 28″. A fine, supple skin, sold whole.

Goat — Kidskin

≈ 2–5 sq ft

A fine, soft young-goat skin — small, supple, and sold whole.

Pig Suede Hide

≈ 7–8 sq ft

Average 30″ × 40″. Lightweight and breathable, sold as a whole hide.

Pig Grain Lining Leather

≈ 12–18 sq ft

Average 38″ × 42″. A large grain hide — smooth and durable, ideal for linings and garment backing.

Calfskin

≈ 3–5 sq ft

Average 20″ × 22″. A fine, smooth grain in a smaller skin.

Please note: these are reference averages to help you choose — not exact measurements. Because leather is natural, every hide varies in shape and final square footage.

How Leather Is Measured

Leather is sold by the square foot, not the linear yard — because every hide is a different shape.

Reading the size: Each hide is measured by machine and stamped on the back with its exact square footage (e.g. “23 ¼”). Because hides are natural, the final size of your piece can vary by a few square feet — so we list a typical range for each item.

Ready to choose your leather?

Browse the full range by type, weight, finish and colour — or reach out and we will help you find the perfect hide.

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