AWG Wire Gauge Chart
American Wire Gauge (AWG) standards for solid copper wire.
| AWG | Diameter (mm) | Area (mm²) | Resistance (Ω/km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/0 | 11.684 | 107.200 | 0.1608 |
| 2/0 | 9.266 | 67.430 | 0.2557 |
| 0 | 8.251 | 53.480 | 0.3224 |
| 2 | 6.544 | 33.630 | 0.5127 |
| 4 | 5.189 | 21.150 | 0.8152 |
| 6 | 4.115 | 13.300 | 1.2960 |
| 8 | 3.264 | 8.366 | 2.0610 |
| 10 | 2.588 | 5.261 | 3.2770 |
| 12 | 2.053 | 3.309 | 5.2110 |
| 14 | 1.628 | 2.081 | 8.2860 |
| 18 | 1.024 | 0.823 | 20.9500 |
| 24 | 0.511 | 0.205 | 84.2200 |
What is AWG?
The American Wire Gauge (AWG) system is a standard used in North America for the diameters of round, solid, nonferrous, electrically conducting wire. The key principle is that as the gauge number increases, the wire diameter decreases. It's a fundamental reference for electricians, engineers, and hobbyists when selecting the appropriate wire for a specific electrical load and distance.
Detailed Analysis of Wire Properties
Gauge
The AWG number represents the wire's thickness. A key takeaway is the inverse relationship: a lower gauge number (like 2 AWG) indicates a thicker wire, while a higher gauge number (like 24 AWG) indicates a thinner wire.
Diameter & Area
The diameter and cross-sectional area are physical measurements of the wire's size. These properties are crucial as they determine the wire's ampacity—the maximum amount of electrical current it can safely carry without overheating.
Resistance (Ohms per Kilometer)
Resistance indicates how much the wire opposes the flow of electricity. Thicker wires (lower AWG) have lower resistance, meaning less voltage is dropped and less energy is lost as heat. This makes them suitable for carrying higher currents over longer distances.