Weed Measurements Guide: Weights, Quantities, Prices

While the world of buying weed has changed considerably, one thing that remains the same is weed measurements. Over the years, there have been many slang terms used for different weed measurements. If you’re old enough, you might remember some of these common terms like the traditional 5 dollar bag of weed called the ‘nickel bag’ or the ‘zip’ which is an ounce of weed that often came in a Ziplock bag.

Now that we’re in the modern age of weed, you don’t want to visit your local dispensary without knowing some basic weed measurements. After all, you don’t want to come off as misinformed and ask for five servings of weed or something similar. Just like when you buy quantities of anything, weed has to be measured.

We’ve put together this guide to weed measurements to make it easy for you to buy weed. Weed is generally measured within the context of grams and ounces. For your reference, one ounce is 28 grams.

Because the U.S. hasn’t adopted the metric system and probably never will, dispensaries often center their weed measurements around the ounce. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you have to buy an ounce of weed at a time. You can also get smaller amounts like an eighth of an ounce (3.5 grams), a quarter of an ounce (7 grams), or half an ounce (14 grams). If your appetite for weed is greater than an ounce, be careful. In many states, it’s illegal to buy much more than an ounce.

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of weed measurements so you can figure all this out.

A Weed Gram

Typically, a gram of weed is the lowest quantity you’ll find at dispensaries. This is a small, coin-sized quantity. There are about 0.66 grams in one average-sized joint. This means that a gram of weed is enough to make around two small joints. Or if you prefer using a pipe, a gram of weed will give you just over three smoking sessions, if the bowl of the pipe is of average size.

How much is a gram of weed?

Even though the cost of weed varies from one state to another and from one dispensary to the next, a gram of weed generally costs about $10. It’s a small amount of weed that’s a good size to buy if you’re testing strains. It typically is sold in tiny zip-lock baggies.

An Eighth of Weed

an eight of weed, 3.5 grams

When you see an advertisement for an eighth of weed, it refers to one-eighth of an ounce. To be more precise, 3.5 grams. If you’re a first-time dispensary visitor, an eighth is a good starting point if you’re trying weed for the first time or deciding what strain you like.

So how much weed is in an eighth of weed? The size of an eighth of an ounce of weed looks like the same size as kiwi fruit. An eighth of an ounce will last you around a week if you’re a conservative smoker. However, if you’re an experienced smoker, you’ll probably want more.

How much does an eighth of weed cost?

The cost of an eighth depends on where you’ll be buying it because the price varies. But generally speaking, you can expect to spend about $25 to $35 on an eighth.

A Quarter of Weed

a quarter of weed (7 grams)

If you haven’t figured it out for yourself, a quarter of weed is twice as much as an eighth. To be exact, a quarter is 7 grams. This amount is about the same size as orange and it will give you plenty of smoking pleasure. A quarter can last you for a couple of weeks and even longer, depending on how often you smoke.

You can get about twelve to fifteen joints out of a quarter ounce of weed. If you enjoy using a pipe or bong, how many smoking sessions you can enjoy depends on how you pack your bowls. If you want your quarter to last as long as possible, don’t pack your bowls so full.

How much is a quarter of weed?

As you’d expect, there’s no one set price for a quarter of weed. The cost of a quarter is dependent on the strain you buy and the place you buy it. However, to give you a ballpark figure, a quarter will cost you anywhere from $50 to $70, give or take a few bucks.

A Half of Weed

a half of weed (14 grams)

A half of weed is a half of an ounce and is 14 grams. This is the weed measurement preferred by regular smokers who want their supply to last. So how much is a half-ounce of weed? Well, that amount can fill half a plastic sandwich bag. To be more clear, a half-ounce of weed will fill the palm of your hand.

A half-ounce of weed is a good amount that will give you at least two dozen joints. Of course, the exact number of joints it makes depends on how you roll. If you’re a conservative to a moderate smoker, a half-ounce of weed should last you two weeks or more. But if you’re a heavy toker and someone who likes to share, it won’t last nearly that long.

What’s the price of a half-ounce of weed?

You can get yourself a nice half-ounce of weed for just over $100 in most places. Like with other amounts, the actual price you pay depends on where you buy it. This is one of the most popular weed measurements that many people prefer because it’s just the right amount and at a nice, affordable price point.

Full Ounce of Weed

28 grams of weed – a full ounce

Now we’re in the larger amounts of weed measurements. A full ounce of weed is a hefty 28 grams. In most states where weed is legal, an ounce is all you can buy per visit when using a dispensary.

Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from visiting a couple of dispensaries to get yourself two ounces. However, you may not need that much because a full ounce of weed is a nice amount that will give you around four dozen joints. This amount should last you anywhere from two weeks to a month if you’re a regular smoker.

How much does an ounce of weed cost?

The price you have to pay for an ounce of weed can vary, depending on what strain you want and where you make your purchase. If you’re not picky about strain, you can pay as little as $150 to $200 for an ounce of weed. But if you’re looking for a top-of-the-line strain that will knock your socks off, you can expect to dole out around $300 for an ounce.

Quarter Pound of Weed

a little bit less than a quarter-pound of weed

This is a heavy-hitter in weed measurements. There are four ounces of weed in a quarter-pound or 112 grams to be exact. This amount isn’t for newbies, that’s for sure. And if you want to stay on the right side of the law, this amount of weed should be avoided.

In most of the United States, owning a quarter pound of weed is considered “intent to deliver”. What’s that mean? It means that law enforcement agencies assume you’re selling weed if you own that much. And of course, selling weed without a license is a big no-no so don’t do it.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule and even to the laws around weed. Medical marijuana patients are allowed to have larger measurements of weed. So if you’re a medical marijuana user, check the laws in your state.

How much is a quarter-pound of weed?

It’s not easy to say exactly how much a quarter pound of weed is since this amount isn’t typically offered at dispensaries. If you were to buy this amount of weed off the street, you can expect to pay around $1300 or more, depending on who you buy it from and the quality of the strain.

Conclusion

The main reason weed measurements are a source of confusion is the United States’ stubbornness regarding switching over to the metric system. If you want weed measurements to make sense, you have to learn how to convert between the US imperial units and the metric units the rest of the world uses.

But don’t worry, you don’t have to be a math genius. Just remember this baseline: A gram is typically the lowest amount of weed you can buy. You can get a couple of small joints out of a gram and it’s a good amount to choose if you’re testing a new strain.

Weed Measurements FAQs

Even though we’ve covered the basics of weed measurements, you may still have some unanswered questions. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions along with the answers.

What’s a dime bag of weed?

A dime bag is a slang term for a gram of weed. If you want to try a particular strain of weed, ask your dispensary for a dime bag, which will cost you around $10.

What’s a nickel bag of weed?

A nickel bag is a slang term for a half a gram of weed, which is a very small amount. Many dispensaries don’t sell nickel bags because it’s just not worth it to package that little weed. However, if you’re lucky, you could find a dispensary that sells nickel bags of ‘left-over’ weed scraps for around $5.

Do I have to know the metric system in order to buy weed?

No. Most dispensaries in the US use ounces as their base weed measurements, so don’t worry. However, it would be helpful to have a basic understanding of what a gram is. Just review the info above and you’ll be fine.

How can I be sure I’m getting what I pay for, in terms of weed measurements?

When buying weed at a dispensary, watch while your weed is being weighed to make sure you’re getting what you pay for. If the weed is already packaged, ask them to drop it on the scale if you have any doubts.

How much weed can I legally buy?

That depends on where you buy your weed. Generally speaking, you can buy a maximum of one ounce of weed. However, if you’re a medical marijuana user, you may have a higher limit. Check the laws within your state to find what your limitations are.

I’m new to weed. How much should I buy?

As a new user of weed or a newbie so to speak, it’s wise to start off small. Purchase a few grams or an eighth of an ounce of a strain you’d like to try. This way, you can test out the weed to see if it’s right for you. Then move to greater weed measurements once you find stains you enjoy.

How many ounces in a pound of weed?

There are 16 ounces in a pound of weed. That’s a considerable load of weed. It’s actually a whole lot of weed for one person unless you’re planning on making lots of edibles.

Why do weed measurements matter?

Weed measurements matter and they matter a lot. Once you start comparing prices, you’ll realize that the more weed you buy, the more you can save. Many dispensaries offer discounts on bulk weed buys. It’s important to understand the basics of weed measurements so you can evaluate deals at your local dispensaries.

How can I accurately measure my weed?

We recommend using a standard digital scale. This type of scale never needs calibrating and it’s small & easy to use. Plus, you’ll get a very accurate reading of exactly how much weed you have, right down to a fraction of a gram.

What slang terms are there for an ounce of weed?

There are several slang terms used for an ounce of weed such as ‘zip’, which refers to the ziplock bags weed often come in. Other commonly used slang terms for an ounce include ‘lid’, ‘oscar’, and ‘onion’.

What’s the most expensive way to buy weed in terms of weed measurements?

The most costly way to purchase weed is on a per-gram basis. On the other hand, it’s much more cost-effective to buy weed in ounces.

I’ve heard the term “fat bag” used by smokers. What does it mean?

A ‘fat bag” is a slang term for 30 grams of weed, which is just over an ounce. It called a “fat bag” because it fills a one-ounce plastic sandwich bag.