This paper proposes and evaluates two robust sheet tension estimation algorithms based on unwind and rewind variables, respectively. The proper sheet tension estimation is guaranteed by a continuous monitoring of the differences between the actual estimated values and the values predicted from the last calibration of the estimation parameters. The evaluation was performed with the aid of a developed winder emulator that allowed the offline testing in a real-time field environment, including the initial setting of the estimation constants, and evaluation of both four- and six-shipping-roll cycles. The sheet tension estimation results confirm the precise and stable operation of the proposed robust estimation algorithms, in tests conducted with signals from a winder model, and with tests involving actual field signals from an operational winder.