Wire Mesh Glossary
The vocabulary of mesh, plain-spoken. From mesh count to Dutch weave to SWD/LWD — here are the terms you'll run into when you spec woven, welded, perforated, or expanded metal. We've been cutting it to size in Hayward, California since 1938, so if a term you need isn't here, just ask.
Woven Wire Mesh Terms
These describe how individual wires are crossed and woven into cloth — the language of our woven wire mesh.
Mesh Count
The number of openings per linear inch, counted from the center of one wire to a point one inch away. A "40 mesh" screen has 40 openings per inch. Higher mesh count means finer, tighter cloth.
Opening (Aperture)
The clear space between adjacent parallel wires — the actual hole size that material passes through. Usually given in inches or microns. Opening plus one wire diameter equals the center-to-center spacing.
Wire Diameter
The thickness of the wire used to weave the cloth. For a given mesh count, a heavier wire diameter shrinks the opening and reduces open area but adds strength.
Open Area
The percentage of the total surface that is open (holes) versus solid (wire). It tells you how freely air, light, or fluid passes through — key for filtration, ventilation, and flow.
Warp & Shute
Warp wires run lengthwise (the direction of the roll); shute (or weft/fill) wires run crosswise. In many specialty weaves the two directions use different wire diameters or counts.
Plain Weave
The most common weave: each warp and shute wire passes alternately over and under the next, at a right angle, with equal diameters. Produces a square, uniform opening.
Twill Weave
Each wire passes over two and under two of the crossing wires. This lets heavier wire be woven into a given mesh count, so it's used for fine, high-strength cloth.
Plain Dutch Weave
Warp wires are heavier and spaced apart while thinner shute wires are packed tightly together. The result is a dense cloth with tiny, irregular openings for fine filtration.
Twilled Dutch Weave
Combines the two-over-two twill pattern with the packed Dutch construction, allowing even finer filtration ratings and higher strength than plain Dutch.
Crimp, Edges & Sizing
Crimp / Intercrimp / Lock Crimp
Crimp is the pre-formed bend put into wires so they lock together. Intercrimp adds extra bends between intersections for stability; lock crimp seats the wire into knuckles at each intersection for a tight, rigid mesh.
Selvage
The finished edge of a roll or panel of mesh, treated so the wires don't unravel. Selvage can be a woven, welded, or looped edge depending on the material and use.
Micron
One millionth of a meter (0.001 mm), used to state very fine openings. Handy for filtration specs — see our mesh-to-micron conversion chart to translate between mesh count and microns.
Gauge
A traditional numbering system for wire thickness where a larger gauge number means a thinner wire. Because gauge systems vary, we always confirm the actual decimal diameter when you quote.
Perforated & Expanded Terms
Sheet-based products use their own language. These cover perforated metal and expanded metal.
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Perforated Open Area | The percentage of a perforated sheet that is holes rather than solid metal — driven by hole size and spacing. Higher open area means more flow and less material. |
| Staggered vs. Straight Rows | Staggered (60°) rows offset each hole from the last for maximum open area and strength; straight (90°) rows line holes up in clean columns for a cleaner look. |
| Center-to-Center | The distance from the center of one hole to the center of the next. Hole size plus the bar of metal between holes equals the center-to-center pitch. |
| SWD / LWD | On expanded metal, SWD is the Short Way of the Diamond and LWD is the Long Way of the Diamond — the two dimensions of each opening in the expanded pattern. |
| Standard vs. Flattened | Standard (raised) expanded metal keeps the strands at an angle for grip and rigidity; flattened expanded metal is rolled after expanding for a smooth, flat plane. |
Terms above are general industry definitions — exact dimensions vary by product. We confirm every spec on your quote.
Welded, Hardware Cloth & Screen
Welded Wire Mesh
Wires laid in a grid and resistance-welded at each intersection rather than woven. Rigid and consistent, it's used for guarding, partitions, and cages — browse welded wire mesh.
Hardware Cloth
A light welded or woven mesh in small openings (often 1/4" or 1/2"), commonly galvanized. A go-to for screening, animal enclosures, and vents — see hardware cloth.
Insect Screen
Fine mesh made to keep insects out while letting air and light through, woven in fiberglass, aluminum, stainless, bronze, and more. Explore insect screen options.
Not sure which term describes your part?
Send a sketch, sample, or old piece — we'll spec it and cut it to size.
Common Questions
What's the difference between mesh count and opening?
Mesh count is how many openings sit in one linear inch; the opening is the actual clear space between wires. Two screens can share a mesh count but have different openings if they use different wire diameters — the heavier the wire, the smaller the opening.
How do I convert mesh count to microns?
There's no single formula because wire diameter changes the opening, but our mesh-to-micron conversion chart lays out common mesh counts alongside their approximate openings in inches and microns.
When should I use woven mesh versus welded mesh?
Woven mesh gives you fine, precise openings for filtration, sizing, and screening. Welded mesh trades that fineness for a rigid, uniform grid — better for guarding, enclosures, and structural panels. Compare woven and welded to see the range.
Do you carry mesh in specific materials like 316 stainless?
Yes. We stock a wide range including 304, 304L, 316, and 316L stainless, plus aluminum, brass, copper, bronze, and more. You can filter our woven cloth by material — for example, 316 stainless woven mesh.
Can you cut mesh to a custom size?
That's the norm here — everything is cut to size, and we handle custom fabrication and nationwide shipping. Send your dimensions on our contact page or call (510) 887-8787.