How To Calculate The Size Of Screen Mesh

Loosely woven, screen mesh is used for screen doors, window screens and camping enclosures. Screen mesh is often made of durable and rust-resistant artificial fibers, but lightweight metal wiring mesh is also available. Determining the size of screen mesh requires you to measure and count the small squares.

Step 1

Lay the screen mesh on a flat surface that allows light to flow through the mesh openings.

Step 2

Measure a 1-inch-by-1-inch square section of the mesh and mark it with a permanent marker, beginning from the center of one of the wires. This will minimize counting mistakes.

Step 3

Count the number of square openings from the marked edge of the square made in Step 1 to the opposite marked edge of the square. If that 1 linear inch of screen contains two squares, it is a 2-mesh screen. If that inch contains 100 openings, it is 100-mesh screen.

Step 4

Count the number of rows of mesh squares within that measured 1-inch-square space. Doing so enables you to calculate the mesh size per square inch. For example, this might be expressed as 18-by-16 mesh. Mesh of this size contains 18 holes across and 16 rows down of openings within each 1-inch square.

Step 5

Place a piece of masking tape on the screen mesh and write the mesh size on the tape for future reference.