Wire Gauge Converter

Wire Converter

Calculation History

Input Parameters

Value to Convert

AWG

From System American Wire Gauge (AWG) British Standard Wire Gauge (SWG) Metric (mm²) Diameter (inches) Diameter (mm) Circular Mils

To System American Wire Gauge (AWG) British Standard Wire Gauge (SWG) Metric (mm²) Diameter (inches) Diameter (mm) Circular Mils

Conductor Material Copper Aluminum Gold Silver

Temperature (°C)

Wire Type Solid Core Stranded

Number of Strands (if stranded)

Insulation Thickness (mm)

Common Wire Gauges:

• 14 AWG: Household lighting circuits

• 12 AWG: Household outlets, 20A circuits

• 10 AWG: Electric water heaters, dryers

• 8 AWG: Large appliances, subpanels

Conversion Results

5.26 mm²

Equivalent to 10 AWG

Measurement	Value
Diameter	2.588 mm (0.1019 in)
Cross-sectional Area	5.26 mm2
Resistance per km	3.277 Ω/km
Current Capacity	30 A
Weight per km	46.8 kg/km

AWG Equivalent

10 AWG

SWG Equivalent

12 SWG

Circular Mils

10,380 cmil

Max Frequency

16 kHz

IEC 60228 Standard NEC 2020 Compliant

Calculation History

Date	Input Value	From System	To System	Result	Actions

No Calculation History

Your calculation history will appear here after you save conversions.

Conversion saved to history

Understanding Wire Gauges

Your Complete Guide to Wire Measurement with Conversion Tool

Have you ever looked at electrical wire and wondered what all those numbers mean? Why is a "10 AWG" wire thicker than a "14 AWG"? And what about "mm²" measurements? Don't worry - you're not alone! Understanding wire gauges is easier than you think, and our converter makes it simple.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about wire measurement systems, with real examples, easy formulas, and our interactive converter that does all the math for you.

What Are Wire Gauges?

Wire gauge is a measurement system that tells you how thick a wire is. Think of it like clothing sizes for wires - different numbers mean different thicknesses. But unlike clothing, with wires, a smaller number means a thicker wire!

Simple Analogy:

Imagine wire gauges like coffee cups:

• 8 AWG = Large coffee mug (very thick wire)
• 14 AWG = Standard coffee cup (medium wire)
• 20 AWG = Espresso cup (thin wire)

The smaller the number, the bigger the cup (wire)!

Try Our Wire Gauge Converter

Convert between different wire measurement systems instantly. No complex math needed!

Different Wire Measurement Systems

Around the world, different systems are used to measure wires. Here are the most common ones:

AWG (American Wire Gauge)

Used in North America and many other countries. The standard for electrical wiring in homes and buildings.

• Smaller number = Thicker wire
• 14 AWG = Common household wiring
• 0000 (4/0) = Largest standard size

SWG (British Standard Wire Gauge)

Used in the UK and some Commonwealth countries. Originally developed for steel wire, now used for other metals.

• Also smaller number = Thicker wire
• Different numbering than AWG
• Common in older installations

Metric System (mm²)

Used in Europe and most of the world. Measures the actual cross-sectional area of the wire.

• Larger number = Thicker wire
• 1.5 mm² = Common lighting circuits
• 2.5 mm² = Common outlet circuits

The Math Behind Wire Gauges

The AWG Formula:

Diameter (in mm) = 0.127 × 92^{(36 - AWG)/39}

Don't worry about the math - our converter does this automatically!

For the metric system, it's much simpler:

Area (mm²) = π × (Diameter/2)²

Where π (pi) ≈ 3.1416

Practical Example:

14 AWG wire has:

• Diameter: 1.628 mm (0.0641 inches)
• Area: 2.08 mm²
• Common use: 15-amp household circuits

This means electricity can flow easily without overheating.

Common Wire Gauges and Their Uses

Different wire sizes are used for different purposes. Here's a quick guide:

AWG Size	mm² Equivalent	Common Uses	Max Current
18 AWG	0.82 mm²	Lamp cords, low-voltage lighting	7 A
16 AWG	1.31 mm²	Extension cords, speaker wire	10 A
14 AWG	2.08 mm²	Household lighting circuits	15 A
12 AWG	3.31 mm²	Household outlets, kitchen circuits	20 A
10 AWG	5.26 mm²	Water heaters, air conditioners	30 A
8 AWG	8.37 mm²	Electric ranges, subpanels	40 A

Safety First!

Always use wire that's thick enough for your electrical needs. Using wire that's too thin can cause overheating and fire hazards. When in doubt, consult a licensed electrician.

Key Features of Our Converter

Multiple Systems

Convert between AWG, SWG, mm², inches, mm, and circular mils - all in one tool.

History Tracking

Save your conversions and track them over time. Perfect for comparing different wire options.

Detailed Results

Get more than just the conversion - see diameter, resistance, current capacity, and more.

Export Options

Save results as PDF, TXT, or print them for your projects, reports, or discussions with electricians.

How to Use the Converter (Step by Step)

Step 1: Enter Your Wire Size

Enter the wire size you want to convert. This could be:

• AWG number: Like "14" or "10"
• mm² value: Like "2.5" or "4.0"
• Diameter: In inches or millimeters

Step 2: Select "From" System

Choose what system your current measurement is in:

• AWG: American Wire Gauge (North America)
• SWG: British Standard Wire Gauge (UK)
• mm²: Metric system (Europe, most of world)
• Inches/mm: Direct diameter measurements

Step 3: Select "To" System

Choose what system you want to convert to. This is useful for:

• International projects
• Reading foreign specifications
• Understanding different documentation

Pro Tip: Advanced Settings

Use the advanced settings to factor in:

• Wire material (copper, aluminum, etc.)
• Temperature (affects resistance)
• Wire type (solid vs. stranded)
• Insulation thickness

Real-World Applications

For DIY Enthusiasts

• Home Projects: Know what wire to buy for lighting or outlets
• Car Audio: Choose the right wire for amplifiers
• Solar Projects: Proper sizing for solar panel wiring

For Professionals

• Electricians: Convert between international standards
• Engineers: Technical calculations for designs
• Procurement: Order correct wire for international projects

Copper vs. Aluminum

Copper: Better conductor, more expensive, heavier

Aluminum: Lighter, cheaper, needs larger size for same current

Rule of thumb: Aluminum wire needs to be 2 AWG sizes larger than copper for the same current capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions (15 Common Questions)

1. Why do wire gauge numbers go backwards?

It's historical! Wire was originally made by drawing it through successively smaller holes. Each pass reduced the diameter and increased the gauge number. So "0 gauge" was the starting size, and higher numbers meant more passes through smaller holes.

2. What does "4/0" mean in wire sizes?

"4/0" (pronounced "four-aught") means "four zeros" or "0000." It's the largest standard AWG size. Smaller numbers mean thicker wires: 1/0 (0), 2/0 (00), 3/0 (000), 4/0 (0000).

3. Is AWG or mm² better?

Neither is "better" - they're just different systems! AWG is common in North America, while mm² is used in most of the world. Our converter makes it easy to switch between them for any project.

4. How do I know what wire size I need?

Wire size depends on: 1) Current (amps) needed, 2) Length of wire, 3) Voltage, 4) Allowable voltage drop. For household circuits, follow local electrical codes. Our converter shows current capacity to help you choose.

5. What's the difference between solid and stranded wire?

Solid wire has one solid conductor. Stranded wire has many small strands twisted together. Stranded is more flexible and better for moving applications. Both can carry the same current if they have the same cross-sectional area.

6. Why does wire resistance matter?

Resistance causes voltage drop and heat. Longer wires have more resistance. Thinner wires have more resistance. Too much resistance means your devices won't get enough voltage and wires can overheat.

7. What are "circular mils"?

A circular mil is the area of a circle with diameter of 1/1000 inch. It's an old measurement still used in some industries. 1 circular mil = about 0.0005067 mm². Our converter handles this too!

8. Can I use the converter for speaker wire?

Yes! Speaker wire is often measured in AWG. Thicker wire (lower AWG number) is better for longer runs and higher power. Our converter helps you choose the right size for your audio setup.

9. How accurate is the converter?

Our converter uses standard formulas and industry-accepted values. For most applications, it's extremely accurate. For critical applications, always double-check with local codes and specifications.

10. What's the smallest wire gauge?

The standard AWG system goes down to 40 AWG (0.08 mm diameter), but specialty wires can be even smaller. For practical electrical work, you'll rarely use smaller than 24 AWG (0.51 mm).

11. How does temperature affect wire sizing?

Wire resistance increases with temperature. Hotter wires carry less current safely. Our converter lets you adjust temperature to see how it affects resistance and current capacity.

12. What wire should I use for 220V/240V circuits?

Higher voltage doesn't necessarily need thicker wire - it's about current (amps). However, 240V circuits often power high-current devices like dryers and ranges, which do need thicker wire (typically 10 AWG or larger).

13. Can I save my conversions?

Yes! Our history feature lets you save unlimited conversions and export them for comparison. Perfect for projects where you need to compare different wire options.

14. What's "skin effect" in wires?

At high frequencies, electricity tends to flow mostly on the surface ("skin") of the wire. This means the center of the wire isn't used effectively. Our converter shows maximum frequency where this becomes significant.

15. How do I convert stranded wire to solid equivalent?

For the same cross-sectional area, stranded and solid wire have the same electrical properties. Our converter handles both types and can account for the slight differences in current capacity.

Final Thoughts

Understanding wire gauges doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you're a professional electrician, a DIY enthusiast, or just someone trying to understand electrical specifications, our converter makes it easy to work with any wire measurement system.

Remember: The right wire size is crucial for safety and performance. Too small, and you risk overheating. Too large, and you're wasting money. Our tool helps you find the perfect balance.

Learning Tip:

Practice with our converter using common wire sizes you encounter. Soon, you'll start recognizing that 14 AWG is about 2.1 mm², 12 AWG is about 3.3 mm², and 10 AWG is about 5.3 mm². These mental shortcuts make working with wires much easier!