Skip to content
CALX
Appearance

Appearance

Light or dark

Colour
Accessibility

CategoriesSearch

AWG gauge: diameter, section and metric equivalent

AWG gauge to diameter and cross-section, or a diameter in mm to the closest AWG, by the exact formula of the standard.

Parameters

From 40 (finest) to 0000. Enter −1, −2, −3 for 00, 000, 0000.

Result

Diameter

1.6277 mm

Calculation
d = 0.005″ × 92^((36 − 14) / 39) = 0.064 084″
Cross-section
2.0809 mm²
AWG gauge
14
Diameter in inches
0.064 084 in
Closest commercial metric section
2.5 mm²
AWG 114.1723 mm²AWG 142.0809 mm²AWG 171.0378 mm²section ÷ 2.005
Notes (4)

The discs, at one scale, show the copper cross-section seen end on.

AWG 14 is 1.6277 mm in diameter, a cross-section of 2.0809 mm².

A reference only: normalised European sections (1.5, 2.5, 4 mm²…) coincide with no AWG. For a replacement, take the equal or next larger section.

No current rating: it depends on the installation and is found in the standard in force (NEC, IEC…) or the cable datasheet.

Calculation, assumptions and sources

OverviewAmerican Wire Gauge both ways: from the gauge to diameter and cross-section in mm², or from a metric diameter to the closest gauge, with the gap.

American Wire Gauge both ways: from the gauge to diameter and cross-section in mm², or from a metric diameter to the closest gauge, with the gap. Each gauge divides the diameter by 92^(1/39). The closest European metric section is also given: AWG 14 is 2.08 mm², not 2.5 mm².

Method & formulasd(inches) = 0.005 × 92^((36 − n) / 39)
d(inches) = 0.005 × 92^((36 − n) / 39)section = π d² / 4anchors: AWG 36 = 0.005″, AWG 0000 = 0.46″

ASTM B258 defines the series as an exact geometric progression between two anchors, AWG 36 = 0.005 inch and 0000 = 0.46 inch. Each gauge divides the diameter by 92^(1/39) ≈ 1.123; six gauges double the diameter, three double the section.

AWG
American Wire Gauge: the number goes up as the wire gets thinner, a legacy of the number of drawing passes.
00, 000, 0000
the large gauges beyond 0, entered as −1, −2, −3.
Cross-section
the conductor area, πd²/4, which sets the wire’s resistance.
Ampacity
the allowable current of an installed cable.
Validity domainThe formula covers solid conductors from 0000 to 40 AWG.

The formula covers solid conductors from 0000 to 40 AWG. A stranded cable carries the number of the equivalent section, with a larger outer diameter. No current rating is given: it depends on the insulation and its temperature class, the surroundings, conductor bundling and the applicable code.

Reading the resultIn diameter → gauge mode, the gap shows whether the measured wire is an AWG or a neighbouring metric section.

In diameter → gauge mode, the gap shows whether the measured wire is an AWG or a neighbouring metric section.