Wire Gauge (AWG) Converter
Convert between American Wire Gauge (AWG), wire diameter in millimeters and inches, and cross-sectional area.
Type in any field.
Enter AWG gauge number or wire diameter — the others update instantly.
Wire gauge systems describe the diameter (and therefore cross-sectional area) of electrical wire. The most common system in North America is the American Wire Gauge (AWG), also known as the Brown and Sharpe gauge.
AWG to diameter formula: The AWG system follows a geometric progression. The formula to convert AWG to diameter in millimeters is:
- d(mm) = 0.127 x 92^((36 - AWG) / 39)
For the reverse (diameter to AWG):
- AWG = -39 x log(d / 0.127) / log(92) + 36
AWG to cross-sectional area:
- Area (mm squared) = pi / 4 x d(mm)^2
- This is important for determining current-carrying capacity.
Common AWG reference values:
| AWG | Diameter (mm) | Diameter (inches) | Area (mm squared) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000 (4/0) | 11.684 | 0.4600 | 107.22 | Service entrance cables |
| 00 (2/0) | 9.266 | 0.3648 | 67.43 | Large feeder cables |
| 4 | 5.189 | 0.2043 | 21.15 | Range and dryer circuits |
| 10 | 2.588 | 0.1019 | 5.261 | Dryer outlets, 30A circuits |
| 12 | 2.053 | 0.0808 | 3.309 | General household wiring (20A) |
| 14 | 1.628 | 0.0641 | 2.081 | Light circuits (15A) |
| 18 | 1.024 | 0.0403 | 0.823 | Low-voltage lighting, doorbells |
| 22 | 0.644 | 0.0253 | 0.326 | Electronics, speaker wire |
| 26 | 0.405 | 0.0159 | 0.129 | Ribbon cables, phone wire |
| 30 | 0.255 | 0.0100 | 0.051 | Wire wrapping, fine electronics |
Important notes:
- AWG numbers are counterintuitive: a smaller AWG number means a thicker wire.
- AWG 0 is often written as 1/0, and sizes larger than that are 2/0, 3/0, and 4/0.
- The metric system simply uses wire diameter in millimeters, which avoids the confusion of gauge numbers entirely.
- Always verify local electrical codes when selecting wire for electrical installations.
- The current-carrying capacity (ampacity) depends not only on wire size but also on insulation type, ambient temperature, and installation method.