The dimensions of fabrics are expressed in square metres (m² or sqm) and/or running metres (rm).
For example, a fabric with a web width of 150cm has a weight of 200g/m² and of 300g/rm.
The composition of textiles is indicated by symbols in the trade.
When buying fabric, it is helpful to know the meaning of the abbreviations.
Here is a selection of the abbreviations with their meaning in GERMAN.
The most common ones appear in bold:
| Abbreviation | Designation | Origin |
| AB | Abacá | Vegetable fiber |
| AL | Halfagras | Vegetable fiber |
| AR | Aramid | Synthetic fiber |
| AS | Asbest | Synthetic fiber |
| CA | Acetat | Kunstfaser |
| CC | Kokos | Vegetable fiber |
| CF | carbon | Synthetic fiber |
| CLF | Polyvinylchlorid | Synthetic fiber |
| CLY | Lyocell | Kunstfaser |
| CMD | Modal | Kunstfaser |
| CO | Baumwolle | Vegetable fiber |
| CTA | Triacetat | Kunstfaser |
| CUP | Cupro | Kunstfaser |
| CV | Viskose | Kunstfaser |
| EL | Elastan | Synthetic fiber |
| FI | Fique | Vegetable fiber |
| GF | Glas | Kunstfaser |
| HA | Hanf | Vegetable fiber |
| HR | Rinderhaar | Tierische Faser |
| HS | Rosshaar | Tierische Faser |
| HZ | Ziegenhaar | Tierische Faser |
| HW | Habbe Wolle | Human fiber |
| JS | Rosella | Vegetable fiber |
| JU | Jute | Vegetable fiber |
| KE | Kenaf | Vegetable fiber |
| KP | Kapok | Vegetable fiber |
| LA | Gummi | Kunstfaser |
| LI | Linen | Vegetable fiber |
| MAC | Modacryl | Synthetic fiber |
| MTF | Metall | Kunstfaser |
| NF | Neuseelandfaser | Vegetable fiber |
| PA | Polyamid | Synthetic fiber |
| PAN | Polyacryl | Synthetic fiber |
| PE | Polyethynel | Synthetic fiber |
| PES | Polyester | Synthetic fiber |
| PP | Polypropylen | Synthetic fiber |
| PTEF | Polytetrafluorethlen | Synthetic fiber |
| PCAL | Polyvinylalkohol | Synthetic fiber |
| RA | Ramie | Vegetable fiber |
| SE | Seide | Tierische Faser |
| SI | Sisal | Vegetable fiber |
| SN | Sunn | Vegetable fiber |
| ST | Tussahseide | Tierische Faser |
| WA | Angorawolle | Tierische Faser |
| WG | Vikunja | Tierische Faser |
| WK | Kamelhaarwolle | Tierische Faser |
| WL | Lamawolle | Tierische Faser |
| WM | Mohairwolle | Tierische Faser |
| WN | Kanin | Tierische Faser |
| WO | Reißwolle | Tierische Faser |
| WP | Alpaca | Tierische Faser |
| WS | Kaschmirwolle | Tierische Faser |
| WU | Guanako | Tierische Faser |
| WV | Virgin wool | Tierische Faser |
| WY | Yak | Tierische Faser |
| ZS | Zellstoff | Vegetable fiber |
