Use 17 micron for lighter, stable, uniform loads, and 23 micron for heavier or more demanding pallets. 23 micron has about a third more material, so it resists punctures better and holds more tension, at a higher price per roll. If you are genuinely unsure, 23 micron is the safer pick, because the extra margin costs little per pallet.
These are two of the most common hand-film thicknesses, so buyers often weigh them directly. Here is the head-to-head.
What Separates Them
Micron is film thickness. A 17 micron film is 0.017mm thick; a 23 micron film is 0.023mm thick. That gap looks small on paper but is roughly a third more material in the 23 micron film, and you feel it when the load gets heavier or more awkward.
More material means more resistance to tearing and puncturing, and more capacity to hold tension without failing. It also means more plastic per roll, which is why 23 micron costs more than 17 micron. Everything else about the two, how they are used and applied, is the same; the difference is the amount of film.
When 17 Micron Is the Right Choice
17 micron suits loads that make life easy for the film:
- Standard boxed goods that stack squarely on the pallet
- Light to moderate weight
- Stable loads that do not shift or lean
- No sharp corners or exposed edges poking into the film
For this kind of load, 17 micron has enough material to secure it well, and choosing 23 micron would mean paying for material the load does not need. If most of your pallets are neat, boxed and uniform, 17 micron is likely your everyday film.
When 23 Micron Is the Right Choice
23 micron earns its place on loads that ask more of the film:
- Heavier pallets that put more strain on every wrap
- Loads with sharp or hard corners that cut thinner film
- Irregular or uneven loads that are harder to secure
- Loads going a long way or handled roughly, where a failed wrap is costly
The extra material resists punctures and holds tension better, so the load stays tight through more handling. If your pallets are heavy, awkward, or shipped long distances, 23 micron is the sensible choice.
The Cost Question
The instinct is to buy the thinner, cheaper film. Per roll, 17 micron costs less, and on the right loads it is the correct choice. But the saving is false if the film is under-specified. A wrap that splits mid-application, or a load that shifts because the film could not hold it, costs far more in wasted film, re-wrapping and damaged stock than the few pence saved per roll.
So the cost question is not “which roll is cheaper” but “which film secures this load at the lowest total cost”. For light, stable loads that is 17 micron. For heavier or awkward loads it is 23 micron, because the failures it prevents cost more than the material it adds.
Comparing Them Fairly
When you compare 17 and 23 micron, look at three figures together: micron, roll length and roll weight. Micron tells you thickness. Length tells you how many pallets a roll covers. Weight tells you how much material is actually on the roll. Compare rolls of each thickness at the same length so you are comparing like with like, and check the weight confirms the material difference. A film quoted at a micron figure but on a short or light roll is not the bargain it looks.
Still Not Sure? Default to 23 Micron
If you cannot decide, choose 23 micron. The cost difference per pallet is small, but the cost of an under-specified film failing on a load is not. 23 micron gives more margin against heavier and more awkward loads, and it still wraps light loads perfectly well. You lose a little on material cost and gain reliability across a wider range of loads. For a mixed set of pallets, that trade usually makes sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 23 micron always better than 17 micron?
No. 23 micron has more material, but on light, stable loads that material is spare capacity you are paying for. 17 micron is the better choice there. Match the thickness to the load.
Can 17 micron handle heavy pallets?
It can struggle. Heavier and more awkward loads put more strain on the film and are more likely to tear 17 micron or let the load shift. For those loads, 23 micron is the safer choice.
How much more does 23 micron cost?
23 micron costs more per roll because it has about a third more material. But on the loads that need it, the failures it prevents make it cheaper per pallet overall.
Do 17 and 23 micron stretch the same?
Stretch depends on how the film is made, not just its thickness. The main practical difference between them is the amount of material and the tear resistance and holding it gives you.
Which should I buy if my loads vary?
If your pallets range from light and neat to heavy and awkward, 23 micron covers the wider range with more margin. If most are light and uniform, 17 micron is the everyday film and you can hold 23 micron for the harder loads.
Conclusion
Choosing between 17 and 23 micron comes down to your loads. 17 micron suits lighter, stable, uniform pallets and costs less per roll. 23 micron suits heavier, sharper or more awkward loads and holds up better through rough handling. Compare micron, length and weight together so you know what you are buying, and when in doubt, 23 micron is the safer pick.