Till Roll Core Sizes Explained: 12mm, 25mm, 38mm and Coreless

The core is the cardboard or plastic tube in the middle of the roll, and its size is measured across the inside of the tube. Most till rolls and card machine rolls have a small core of about 12 to 13mm, and for drop-in printers it rarely matters. Scale printers, label printers and anything that loads the roll onto a spindle need the exact core size, typically 25mm, 38mm or 42mm. Coreless rolls have no tube at all.

Here is when the core matters, how to check yours, and what to order.

In this guide

• When does core size actually matter?
• What are the common core sizes?
• How do I measure the core?
• What are coreless rolls and who uses them?
• What core do deli and butcher scales need?
• FAQ

When does core size actually matter?

It depends on how your printer holds the roll.

• Drop-in printers. Most receipt printers and card terminals have a paper bucket. You drop the roll in and close the lid. The roll sits loose, so the core size is not critical as long as the width and diameter match.
• Spindle printers. Scales, many label printers and some older tills thread the roll onto a spindle or hub. Here the core must match exactly. Too small and it will not go on. Too big and it wobbles and feeds badly.

If you have ever had a roll that "fits" but jams or prints crooked, a core mismatch on a spindle printer is a common cause.

What are the common core sizes?

Core size	Where you find it	Examples we stock
About 12 to 13mm	Till rolls and card machine rolls	80x70mm till rolls, 57x40mm card rolls
25mm	Label rolls and ticket rolls	Zebra compatible labels, 80mm ticket rolls
38mm	Retail and deli scales	52x95mm scale rolls, 38mm core
40 to 42mm	Retail and deli scales	60x100mm scale rolls, 42mm core
Coreless	Compact card readers and some terminals	57x25mm coreless rolls

How do I measure the core?

1. Take an empty core from a finished roll. It is much easier than measuring a full one.
2. Measure straight across the inside of the tube with a ruler, in millimetres. This is the internal diameter, which is the number suppliers use.
3. Measure the paper width and the full roll diameter too, so you can match all three.

Common mistake: measuring the outside of the core. Cardboard walls are a couple of millimetres thick, so you end up ordering the wrong size.

For width and diameter, our till roll size chart walks through the rest.

What are coreless rolls and who uses them?

Coreless rolls are wound without any tube in the middle. The paper simply starts at the centre.

• They fit compact devices. Some small card readers, such as the SumUp Solo and Poynt terminals, are designed for coreless 57x25mm rolls.
• Less waste. There is no cardboard tube left over when the roll finishes.
• They are only a swap if the device allows it. Do not try to use a coreless roll on a spindle printer, because there is nothing to hold it.

Our coloured 57x40mm card rolls are also coreless, which is handy if you colour-code tickets. See the coloured thermal rolls guide.

What core do deli and butcher scales need?

Scale printers are where core size catches people out most. Many retail scales use a 38mm or 40 to 42mm core, and the width and diameter vary by brand and model. The safest route is to measure an empty core and the old roll, or send us the make and model.

Our scale rolls and labels guide covers the options for deli and butcher counters in more detail.

Frequently asked questions

What is the core size of a till roll?

Most till rolls and card machine rolls have a small core of about 12 to 13mm. For drop-in printers it rarely matters.

How do I measure a till roll core?

Measure straight across the inside of an empty core in millimetres. That internal diameter is the core size.

What core size do scale rolls use?

Commonly 38mm or 40 to 42mm, but it varies by scale. Measure an empty core or check the model before ordering.

What is a coreless roll?

A roll with no cardboard or plastic tube in the centre. They are used in compact devices designed for them, such as the SumUp Solo.

Can I use a roll with a different core size?

In drop-in printers usually yes, if the width and diameter match. In spindle printers, such as scales and label printers, the core must match exactly.