Disclosure: All opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on my site at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information read my full disclosure.
Puzzle Piece Thickness…Does It Matter?
The thickness of puzzle pieces not only affects the tactile satisfaction of assembling a puzzle, but also plays an important role in enhancing durability and ease of handling during the process of piecing together a captivating image.
ON THE THIN SIDE
Thin puzzle pieces are not always ideal as they can sometimes cause frustration during assembly.
Thinner pieces are more prone to bending, tearing, and have a tendency to not stay together when being moved.
The thinner a piece is the more challenging they are to handle, especially for children or individuals with limited dexterity.
ON THE THICK SIDE
These substantial pieces are less prone to damage, making them easier to handle and reducing the risk of bending or tearing during assembly.
Their sturdiness also ensures that they fit together seamlessly, creating a satisfying “click” as they interlock, enhancing the overall sense of accomplishment.
Thick puzzle pieces are well-suited for all ages and skill levels, providing a comfortable grip and enabling smoother manipulation.
thin & thick
a comparison
I measured each puzzle piece with a digital caliper for accuracy.
On the left are the 3 thinnest pieces and on the right are the 3 thickest.
No matter which you prefer, I feel all puzzles are worth doing and each brand has it’s own allure, be it beautiful illustrations or a snappy click.
See the chart below for the digital measurement of the puzzle brands in my collection.
| Brand | Country | # of Pieces | Gauge in MM | Piece Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anatolian | Turkey | 500 | 1.8 | Glossy |
| Aquarius | China | 1000 | 1.8 | Glossy |
| Be Better | China | 500 | 1.5 | Glossy |
| Beiwo | China | 500 | 2.0 | Glossy |
| Bits and Pieces | China | 500 | 1.9 | Glossy |
| Bits and Pieces | China | 300 | 2.0 | Glossy |
| Blue Kazoo | China | 1000 | 2.1 | Matte |
| Brain Tree Games Pearl Series | India | 1000 | 1.6 | Glossy |
| Brain Tree Standard Series | India | 1000 | 1.8 | Glossy |
| Buffalo | USA | 750 | 1.9 | Glossy |
| Buffalo | USA | 1000 | 2.0 | Glossy |
| Cardinal | 550 | 1.8 | Glossy | |
| Cavallini Papers & Co | China | 1000 | 1.9 | Low Gloss |
| Ceaco | USA | 300 | 1.5 | Glossy |
| Ceaco | USA | 2000 | 1.5 | Glossy |
| Chuffed | China | 500 | 2.1 | Matte |
| Clementoni | Italy | 1000 | 1.9 | Linen |
| Cobble Hill | Canada | 1000 | 1.8 | Linen |
| Cross & Glory | China | 1000 | 1.7 | Satin |
| Dowdle | USA | 300 | 1.9 | Glossy |
| Dowdle | USA | 250 | 2.8 | Wood/Matte |
| Eeboo | China | 1000 | 1.9 | Glossy |
| Enjoy | USA & Romania | 1000 | 1.7 | Matte |
| Eurographics | Canada | 1000 | 1.8 | Glossy |
| Galison | China | 1000 | 1.6 | Glossy |
| Genuine Fred | China | 500 | 2.0 | Glossy |
| Gibsons | UK | 500 | 2.2 | Glossy |
| Gibsons | UK | 1000 | 2.3 | Glossy |
| Hart | USA | 500 | 1.8 | Glossy |
| Hennessy | USA | 1000 | 1.8 | Glossy |
| Heye | USA & Germany | 1000 | 1.8 | Linen |
| Huadada | China | 1000 | 1.3 | Glossy |
| Jiggy | China | 450 | 2.1 | Matte |
| Kodak | USA | 1000 | 1.8 | Glossy |
| Lang | 300 | 1.9 | Linen | |
| Lang | 500 | 2.1 | Linen | |
| Magic Puzzle Company | China | 1000 | 1.9 | Low Gloss |
| Master Pieces | USA | 1000 | 2.0 | Glossy |
| Milton Bradley | 1000 | 1.8 | Glossy | |
| MudPuppy | China | 300 | 1.5 | Glossy |
| Nautilus | USA | 51 | 4.3 | Wood/Glossy |
| Paper House | China | 1000 | 1.4 | Glossy |
| Oakland Puzzle Company | USA | 500 | 2.0 | Satin |
| Pieceworks | China | 500 | 2.0 | Matte |
| Pink Sky | China | 500 | 1.8 | Glossy |
| Pintoo | China | 600 | 2.0 | Matte Plastic |
| Pomegranate Press | China | 1000 | 2.4 | Matte |
| PuzzleTwist | USA | 1000 | 1.6 | Matte |
| Puzzle You | USA | 500 | 2.3 | Linen |
| Ravensburger | Germany | 1000 | 2.1 | Matte |
| Rose Art | USA | 1000 | 1.7 | Glossy |
| Soonness | China | 1000 | 2.0 | Matte |
| Spilsbury | 500 | 1.8 | Linen | |
| Spin Master | China | 750 | 1.5 | Low Gloss |
| Springbok | USA | 1000 | 1.8 | Glossy |
| SunsOut Shaped | USA | 1000 | 1.7 | Glossy |
| Think2Master | China | 1000 | 1.9 | Glossy |
| Trefl Crazy Shapes | Poland | 660 | 1.7 | Low Gloss |
| Trefl PRIME | Poland | 1000 | 2.3 | Matte |
| Trefl RED | Poland | 1000 | 1.7 | Low Gloss |
| Trefl SPIRAL | Poland | 1000 | 1.7 | Low Gloss |
| Unidragon | USA | 1000 | 2.9 | Wood/Matte |
| Vizzles | China | 1000 | 1.5 | Glossy |
| Werkshoppe Studio | China | 300 | 1.8 | Glossy |
| White Mountain | USA | 1000 | 1.7 | Glossy |
| Wrebbit 3d | 890 | 6.0 | Foam Backed Paper |
No responses yet