AWG ↔ metric ↔ typical use
| AWG | Diameter (mm) | Area (mm²) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0000 (4/0) | 11.684 | 107.2 | Service entry, welder |
| 000 (3/0) | 10.405 | 85.0 | Service entry |
| 00 (2/0) | 9.266 | 67.4 | Large motor feeds |
| 0 (1/0) | 8.251 | 53.5 | Service entry, arc welder |
| 2 | 6.544 | 33.6 | 100 A service |
| 4 | 5.189 | 21.2 | 60 A circuits |
| 6 | 4.115 | 13.3 | 55 A circuits, dryer |
| 8 | 3.264 | 8.37 | 40 A circuits, range |
| 10 | 2.588 | 5.26 | 30 A (240 V) / heaters |
| 12 | 2.053 | 3.31 | 20 A branch circuits |
| 14 | 1.628 | 2.08 | 15 A branch circuits |
| 16 | 1.291 | 1.31 | Extension cords (light) |
| 18 | 1.024 | 0.823 | Lamp cord, low voltage |
| 20 | 0.812 | 0.518 | Speaker, DC hookup |
| 22 | 0.644 | 0.326 | Signal, Dupont jumpers |
| 24 | 0.511 | 0.205 | CAT cable conductor |
| 26 | 0.405 | 0.129 | Small signal |
| 28 | 0.321 | 0.0810 | Ribbon cable |
| 30 | 0.255 | 0.0509 | Wire-wrap |
| 32 | 0.202 | 0.0320 | Magnet wire |
| 36 | 0.127 | 0.0127 | Fine magnet wire |
| 40 | 0.0799 | 0.00501 | Very fine magnet wire |
Notes
- AWG: each 3-gauge decrease doubles the cross-sectional area (and halves resistance).
- For metric cables, common sizes are 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, 2.5, 4, 6, 10, 16, 25 mm².
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