In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring, by the computer, position information from encoding on a magnetic medium, causing, by the computer, a reel around which the magnetic medium is wrapped to rotate a number of rotations, calculating, by the computer, an estimated thickness of the magnetic medium based on the position information, the number of rotations, and a pack radius of the magnetic medium on the reel, and causing to be stored, by the computer, the estimated thickness. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a controller and logic integrated with and / or executable by the controller, the logic being configured to cause the controller to perform the foregoing method.