Guitar Pick Thickness Explained
Updated Nov 11, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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Pick thickness is the millimetre figure on a pick, and it decides how much the pick bends when it meets the string. The sampler packs here run from 0.46 mm to 1.0 mm, with thin, medium and heavy gauges in each sampler pack, so one pack lets you compare each gauge.
What the thickness numbers mean
Thickness is printed in millimetres, and the number tells you how stiff the pick is. The packs here list thin at 0.46 mm and 0.5 mm, medium at 0.71 mm and 0.75 mm, and heavy at 0.96 mm, .97 mm and 1.0 mm. A higher number means a thicker pick, and a thicker pick bends less when it meets the string. Read the millimetre figure on the pack, not the gauge name alone, because the same gauge name covers different figures across the packs.
Thin, medium and heavy gauges
The Fender sampler pairs each gauge with a use: thin for light strumming and acoustic rhythm, medium for all-around playing, and heavy for precise lead work. The ROTOPATA and DUGYGA packs hold the same gauges, so the same comparison works across the packs. Start with the gauge that matches the part you play, then try the next gauge up or down to compare the bend.
Compare the packs before you buy
Count the picks and the gauges in each pack. The Fender sampler holds 12 picks across thin 0.46 mm, medium 0.71 mm and heavy .97 mm. The ROTOPATA pack holds 15 picks across 0.5 mm, 0.75 mm and 1.0 mm, and the DUGYGA pack holds 21 picks, with 7 of each size across 0.46 mm, 0.71 mm and 0.96 mm. The Fender 351 pack holds 12 picks in medium thickness only. The ROTOPATA and DUGYGA packs come with an organizer box for storage.
Check the material and the shape
The packs here are celluloid: the Fender sampler, ROTOPATA, DUGYGA and Fender 351. The Fender sampler uses the 351 shape, with a wider body and rounded tip, and the Fender 351 pack uses the same 351 shape. The ROTOPATA pack holds assorted colors that help identify each thickness.
What you need
Fender Premium Picks Sampler
A 12-pack sampler with thin, medium and heavy celluloid picks in the 351 shape.
- Picks in pack: 12
- Thickness: Heavy
- Material: Celluloid
ROTOPATA 15 Pack Guitar Picks Variety Pack
A 15-pack of celluloid picks in thin 0.5 mm, medium 0.75 mm and heavy 1.0 mm, with an organizer box.
- Picks in pack: 15
- Thickness: 0.5Mm
- Material: Celluloid
DUGYGA 21 Pack Guitar Picks with Organizer Storage
A 21-pack of celluloid picks in thin 0.46 mm, medium 0.71 mm and heavy 0.96 mm, with 7 picks of each size and an organizer box.
- Picks in pack: 21, the most here
- Thickness: 0.46Mm
- Material: Celluloid
Fender Guitar Picks 351 Shape
A 12-pack of medium thickness celluloid picks in the 351 shape, with one pick in each of 12 colors.
- Picks in pack: 12
- Material: Celluloid
- 1-year warranty stated
These come from our ranked list Best Guitar Picks, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
What thickness pick should a beginner start with?
Start with a medium gauge, then try thin and heavy from the same sampler pack to compare the bend. The Fender sampler holds thin 0.46 mm, medium 0.71 mm and heavy .97 mm, so one pack covers the comparison.
What is the difference between thin and heavy picks?
Thickness is the millimetre figure, and a higher number means a thicker pick that bends less. Thin picks here are 0.46 mm and 0.5 mm, while heavy picks here are 0.96 mm, .97 mm and 1.0 mm.
How many picks come in each pack?
The Fender sampler and the Fender 351 packs hold 12 picks each, the ROTOPATA pack holds 15 picks, and the DUGYGA pack holds 21 picks. The DUGYGA pack holds 7 picks of each size.
Ranked guitar picks lists
More how-to guides
Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.