King size vs 100mm: what’s the actual difference?
The difference is length and how much tobacco each holds. King size tubes are 84mm, identical to a normal cigarette. 100mm (100s) tubes are about 15 to 16mm longer with a proportionally longer filter, so the smoke travels farther and runs slightly cooler. Both use the same diameter, the same filter style, and the same loose tobacco.
A cigarette tube is pre-rolled cigarette paper formed into a hollow cylinder with an acetate or paper filter at one end, held by non-toxic glue. There is no tobacco inside until you fill it. Guests at El Paso Smoke Shops fill tubes themselves with their own legal loose tobacco using a cigarette injector.
How long is a king size cigarette tube? How long is a 100?
A king size cigarette tube is 84mm long (a few guides cite 85mm), the same overall length as a standard king-size cigarette. A 100s, or 100mm, cigarette tube is 100mm long, which is roughly 15 to 16mm longer than king size, with a longer filter section and the same diameter. The “100” in 100mm refers directly to that millimeter length.
Do 100mm tubes use more tobacco than king size?
Yes. Because a 100mm tube is longer, it holds roughly 15 to 20 percent more loose tobacco per stick than a king size tube. That means a bag of tobacco fills fewer 100s than king sizes, but each 100 burns longer. If you want to stretch a bag further, king size is the more economical pick; if you want a longer smoke, 100mm is worth the extra tobacco.
Are king size and 100s tubes interchangeable in the same machine?
In most cases, yes. King size and 100mm tubes share the same ~8mm diameter, and the diameter is what seats onto an injector nozzle, so the same manual or electric machine usually handles both. The length difference does not affect the nozzle grip. A few injectors have a length stop, but the vast majority of king size injectors accept 100mm tubes without any change. Tube diameter is the spec that matters for machine fit, not length.
Cigarette tube sizes chart: king size, 100s, slim, and more
Tube sizes are defined mostly by length and diameter. Standard king size and 100s share the ~8mm diameter, while slim and ultra-slim formats are narrower for a thinner smoke. Here is how the common roll-your-own tube sizes compare.
| Size | Length | Diameter | Typical filter | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Size | 84mm | ~8mm | 15 to 17mm | Everyday standard smoke |
| 100s (100mm) | 100mm | ~8mm | 17 to 25mm | Longer, cooler draw |
| Slim | ~80mm | ~6.8mm | ~20mm | Thinner, lighter feel |
| Ultra-slim | ~80mm | ~5.3mm | Long | Very thin smoke |
| Micro | Short | ~4.6mm | Long | Smallest niche format |
For reference, a standard cigarette and tube diameter is about 7.8 to 8.0mm. Slim tubes drop to ~6.8mm, ultra-slim to ~5.3mm, and micro to ~4.6mm.
What does filter length and color tell you?
Filter length and color are quick signals of strength and style. King size tubes typically carry a 15mm or 17mm filter; 100mm tubes often use a longer 25mm filter for a cooler smoke. Brown cork-colored tipping is the classic full-flavor look, while white tipping usually signals a lighter tube. Longer filters cool the smoke and can stretch your tobacco slightly further.
- 15mm filter: shorter tip, more tobacco room (common on king size).
- 17mm filter: the most common king-size length across major brands.
- 25mm filter: extra-long, cooler draw, common on 100mm tubes.
- Brown (cork) tip: classic full-flavor styling.
- White tip: typically a light variety.
Full flavor vs light tubes: what the filter signals
Full flavor tubes use standard cellulose-acetate filters for maximum taste and usually wear a brown cork-colored tip. Light tubes use ventilated, laser-perforated, or charcoal filters to soften the draw and usually wear a white tip. The tobacco you load is the same; the filter design and ventilation are what change the feel. Pick the color that matches the strength you prefer.
Filtered vs unfiltered (non-filter) tubes
Filtered tubes come with a pre-attached filter tip on every shell, which is what most roll-your-own guests use because the tube is ready to fill and looks like a finished cigarette. Non-filter tubes are open shells with no tip, preferred by a smaller group who want a stronger, more direct draw or who add their own filter. Note that filters reduce some tar and nicotine in lab tests but do not remove all toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, and filtered tubes are not a healthier product.
Are there natural, unbleached, or hemp cigarette tubes?
Some brands market unbleached or natural-paper tubes, but it is important to be clear: roll-your-own is not healthier, more natural, or “organic” in any health sense. The tobacco you load still contains addictive nicotine and the same additives. A natural or unbleached paper changes the paper, not the smoke’s safety. Choose them for paper preference, not for any health reason. Always ask our Hosts what natural-paper options are on the shelf when you visit.
The best cigarette tube brands compared
The “best” tube depends on whether you want durability in a manual machine, a long filter, or a specific strength. Forum and retailer consensus rates Gambler Tubes as the dependable workhorse, while Zen Tubes is the most popular all-around filtered tube. Here is how the brands we carry compare on the specs that matter.
Gambler TubesCigarette Tubes · El PasoView in El Paso
| Brand | Sizes | King filter | Count/box | Varieties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gambler Tubes | King, 100mm | 15mm (17mm Tube Cut) | 200 | Regular, Gold, Silver, Menthol |
| Zen Tubes | King, 100mm | 17mm (25mm on 100mm) | 250 (200 menthol) | Full Flavor, Light, Menthol, White |
| Premier Tubes | King, 100mm | 17mm | 200 | Full Flavor, Light, Menthol |
| Top Tubes | King, 100mm | 15mm | 250 | Regular, Gold, Menthol |
| Zig Zag Tubes | King, 100mm | ~17mm | 200 | Full Flavor, Light |
| Tube Cut Tubes | King, 100mm | 17mm | 200 | Regular, Gold, Silver, Menthol |
| Double Diamond Tubes | King, 100mm | Built-in tip | 200 | Full Flavor, Light, Menthol |
Gambler Tubes are the widely available, rugged choice with a smooth draw. Zen Tubes (a roll-your-own brand established in 1993) are praised for robust burn and quality paper, and come in a four-style lineup including a white tip. Premier Tubes work with any injector and offer Navy full flavor, Blue light, and menthol. Top Tubes, a Republic Tobacco brand, use premium paper and pack 250 to a box. Zig Zag Tubes use a brown tip on full flavor (Red) and a white tip on light (Blue). Tube Cut Tubes offer four strengths on durable paper made not to alter tobacco flavor. Double Diamond Tubes, made by HTD Tobacco, pair one 200-count box with roughly 6 to 8 ounces of loose tobacco.
Top TubesCigarette Tubes · El PasoView in El Paso
Premier TubesCigarette Tubes · El PasoView in El Paso
Double Diamond TubesCigarette Tubes · El PasoView in El Paso
Which tubes hold up best in a manual injector?
Tubes with sturdier paper and a firmly attached filter resist tearing best in a manual injector. Gambler Tubes are the most-cited workhorse for manual machines because the paper is rugged enough to take repeated cranking without ripping. Top Tubes and Tube Cut Tubes also use durable paper. A clean nozzle and correct tobacco moisture matter as much as the brand for tear-free filling.
Injector vs roller machine: which should you buy?
An injector fills pre-made tubes, while a roller wraps loose tobacco in a rolling paper. For consistency, speed, and a real cigarette look, an injector with tubes wins because each tube equals exactly one cigarette with no rolling skill needed. Rollers are cheaper and more portable but produce a looser, less uniform stick. Most guests filling tubes want an injector.
Manual vs electric injector: speed, cost, and who each is for
A manual injector costs a few dollars and is fine for occasional use, taking a few seconds per cigarette with a hand crank or lever. An electric injector, such as a Powermatic, runs roughly 85 to 300 dollars and fills a stick in about 4 to 7 seconds with far less effort, paying off for high-volume daily rollers. A tabletop lever injector is the best all-around balance for new users.
- Casual roller: a manual injector or roller is plenty.
- Daily, high volume: an electric injector saves up to ~80 percent of prep time.
- Best balance: a durable tabletop lever injector.
How long does a pack take by hand vs electric?
By hand, a manual roller takes roughly 30 to 60 seconds per cigarette, or about 15 to 30 minutes for a pack of 20. An electric injector does each stick in about 4 to 7 seconds, finishing a full pack in under 3 minutes. Guests who switch to electric report up to about 80 percent less prep time, which is the main reason high-volume smokers upgrade.
Which king size or 100mm tube should you buy?
Match the tube to how you smoke. Browse the full Cigarette Tubes selection, then use these quick picks.
- Everyday standard smoke: Gambler Tubes king size, the dependable workhorse.
- Best all-around quality: Zen Tubes king size, robust burn and a 250-count box.
- Longer, cooler draw: any 100mm option, with Zen Tubes 100mm offering a 25mm filter.
- Most tubes per box: Top Tubes or Zen Tubes at 250 per box.
- Four strength choices: Tube Cut Tubes or Gambler Tubes (Regular, Gold, Silver, Menthol).
All cigarette tubes are sold for in-store pickup at El Paso Smoke Shops. You must be 21 or older (18+ with valid military ID) and present photo ID at the counter. Our Hosts can help match a tube, filter length, and injector to how you like to smoke.
