How Many Buttons Are In 100g? The Ultimate Answer for Crafters

November 29, 2025 •

4 min read

According to haberdashery retailers, a 100g bag of assorted buttons can contain anywhere from 70 to well over 100 pieces, though the amount may vary significantly depending on the assortment of sizes and materials. The seemingly simple question of "how many buttons are in 100g?" actually has a complex, multi-faceted answer that every crafter needs to understand.

Quick Summary

The quantity of buttons in a 100g mix is never a fixed number, as the total count is directly influenced by the individual weight of each button. Size, material, and design all play a crucial role in determining whether a bag holds many lightweight pieces or fewer, heavier ones.

Key Points

No Single Number: The number of buttons in 100g varies widely; there is no fixed count due to differences in button size, material, and weight.
Material Matters: Lightweight plastic buttons yield a higher count per 100g, while heavier materials like metal, wood, or shell result in a lower count.
Size is King: The biggest factor is button size. A bag of small buttons can have hundreds of pieces, while a bag of large buttons will have significantly fewer.
Mixed Bags Have a Range: If you buy a mixed assortment, expect a large range in the number of buttons, often between 70 and 120 pieces for 100g.
Calculating is Possible: For uniform button packs, you can estimate the count by dividing 100g by the average weight of a single button, if known.
Ligne is the Standard: Button size is measured in 'ligne', where a higher number indicates a larger and typically heavier button.

The search for a single, definitive number for how many buttons are in 100g is a futile one. Unlike a bag of uniform items like screws, a bag of buttons is subject to wild variations. For the savvy crafter or designer, this isn't a frustrating ambiguity but rather a key piece of information that informs their purchasing decisions. Understanding the variables that influence the total count per 100g is the first step toward accurate project planning.

The Key Variables That Affect Button Count

Several factors conspire to make the exact number of buttons per 100g a mystery until the bag is opened. Recognizing these will help you anticipate the quantity and type of buttons you'll receive.

Material Matters: Weight and Density

The material a button is made from is one of the most significant factors influencing its weight. A button crafted from a dense, heavy material will naturally contribute more to the overall 100g weight, meaning fewer buttons will be needed to reach that total. Conversely, lightweight materials will result in a much higher button count.

Plastic/Resin: These are the most common and lightest buttons available. A 100g mix of small resin buttons could easily contain upwards of 120 pieces or more.
Metal (Brass, Pewter, etc.): Metal buttons, especially for jeans or coats, are far heavier. A single large metal button can weigh several grams, drastically reducing the total number in a 100g bag.
Natural Materials (Wood, Coconut, Shell): The weight of these materials can vary. Coconut buttons, for example, are quite lightweight, while a large, thick wooden toggle can be surprisingly heavy.
Acrylic: Similar to plastic, acrylic buttons are also very light, resulting in a higher count in a 100g mix.

Size and Ligne: A Direct Relationship

Button size is inextricably linked to its weight. The industry standard for measuring button size is the ligne (abbreviated as 'L'), a French term where 40L equals one inch. A higher ligne number means a larger button diameter, which almost always means a heavier button. The difference in count between a bag of small 10mm (16L) buttons and large 25mm (40L) buttons is staggering.

For example, an Etsy seller's data for 50g packs provides a clear illustration. While a "Tiny Mix" (8mm-12mm) contains 140 to 260 buttons per 50g (280-520 per 100g), a "Regular Mix" (11mm-25mm) has 30 to 50 buttons per 50g (60-100 per 100g), and a "Large Mix" (20mm-40mm) only contains 15 to 25 buttons per 50g (30-50 per 100g). These figures highlight how size, more than any other factor, determines the count.

Mixed Bags vs. Single Size: What to Expect

When buying buttons by weight, you'll typically find either a mixed bag or a bag of uniform, single-size buttons. A mixed bag is the most common for crafters, offering a variety of colors, styles, and sizes. This is where the wide range of possible counts comes from, as vendors might include a few very large buttons alongside many small ones. A bag containing buttons of a single, uniform size will, by nature, have a much more predictable and consistent count.

The Anatomy of a Button

Beyond material and diameter, the button's specific design also adds to its individual weight. A domed shank button with a thick back loop will be heavier than a flat, two-hole button of the same diameter. Similarly, decorative features or special finishes can add minute amounts of weight that contribute to the overall total.

Comparison Table: Estimated Button Count Per 100g

This table provides a general estimation of button counts based on size and material. These numbers are for illustrative purposes and actual counts will vary.


Button Type	Size Range (mm)	Ligne Range	Estimated Count per 100g	Example Usage
Small Plastic	8–12mm	13L–19L	200–400+	Shirts, decorative crafting
Mixed Plastic	9–28mm	14L–44L	70–120	Assorted craft projects
Regular Plastic	11–25mm	18L–40L	60–100	Jackets, sweaters
Large Plastic	20–40mm	32L–64L	30–50	Outerwear, coat fasteners
Metal Jeans Button	14–20mm	22L–32L	20–40	Denim, workwear
Natural (Coconut/Wood)	15–30mm	24L–48L	40–80	Knitwear, rustic crafts

Calculating Your Button Needs: A Practical Approach

For those who need a more precise count for a specific project, here's a step-by-step method to estimate the number of buttons in a 100g bag before you even buy it.

Identify the button type: Determine the material, style, and approximate size (or ligne) of the button you need. The weight of buttons can differ significantly between different materials, as outlined above.
Find a reference weight: If possible, ask the supplier or check online specifications for the average weight of a single button of that type. For instance, a vendor might list that their 15mm metal buttons weigh approximately 1.5g each. Alternatively, if you have a few samples, you can use a sensitive scale to weigh a small batch and calculate the average.
Perform the calculation: Divide 100 by the average single button weight to get your estimated count. For example, if the average button weighs 1.5g, then 100g / 1.5g = 66.7, so you can expect around 67 buttons.
Account for variation: This method works best for uniform, single-size buttons. If you are buying a mixed bag, remember that the total count will be an average. Consider buying a larger quantity than your estimated need to be safe.

For additional reference on button sizes and their applications, the website Button Corner offers a handy size chart for various garments, which can help you identify the ligne of the buttons you need.

Conclusion: The Answer is in the Details

The question of how many buttons are in 100g does not have a single answer, but that doesn't mean you're left in the dark. By understanding the critical roles that material, size, and type play in determining a button's weight, you can move from guesswork to a much more informed estimation. For crafters, this knowledge is power, allowing for more accurate purchasing and more successful projects every time. Whether you end up with 70 or 300 buttons in your bag, the real value lies in knowing why that number exists and how to plan around it.

Frequently Asked Questions

A typical 100g bag of mixed-size buttons contains approximately 70 to 120 pieces, but this can vary significantly depending on the proportion of small versus large buttons in the mix.

Yes, absolutely. Lighter materials such as plastic or resin yield more buttons per 100g, whereas heavier materials like metal or natural shell result in fewer buttons for the same weight.

Button size is the most significant factor. Smaller buttons, like those for shirts, are much lighter than larger coat buttons, meaning a 100g bag will contain many more small buttons than large ones.

A 'ligne' (abbreviated 'L') is a traditional unit of measurement for a button's diameter. A higher ligne number means a larger, and therefore typically heavier, button, which will reduce the total count in a 100g bag.

Only if the bag contains buttons of a single, uniform size and material, and the supplier specifies the typical count or average button weight. For mixed bags, an exact count is impossible to guarantee due to the variety of contents.

Almost always, yes. While the density of the material can play a small role, the volume of a larger button means it will displace more material, leading to a higher individual weight compared to a smaller button of the same material.

The best method is to determine the average weight of the specific button you need. If you are using a mixed bag, it's safer to assume a lower number of larger, functional buttons and a higher number of small, decorative ones. Always buy more than you think you need for mixed assortments.