What does the number on the back of my zipper mean?
The number on the back of the zipper slider is most often tied to the gauge size of the zipper. The gauge size refers to the size of the teeth, as the number gets larger, the teeth get bigger. There are #2, #5, #8 gauge size zippers and go as high as #10 here in our factory. The most common gauge sizes are #4 and #5. The teeth are measured with the zipper closed. If you measure the teeth in “mm”, that indicate what gauge the zipper is.
One thing to note is that the number on the back of your zipper slider may not always be the gauge size of the zipper. In some instances, the number on the back of the zipper slider is used to mark which mold was used to cast the slider body. We’ve showen an example in the image above. The three Antique Nickel sliders are actually #5 gauge sliders, however the number imprinted does not reflect that. The coded mark on the back of the slider helps in tracking any issues that may arise from that slider mold. If you’d like to read our previous post regarding this, click here.
Knowing the gauge size of the zipper is helpful in a few ways. If you’re a designer, this will give you a reference of how the weight of the zipper will match with the weight of the fabrics you’re using. If you’re a homemaker or just trying to repair a zipper, knowing the gauge size will help you find the replacement parts at your local sewing/craft store.
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