Wire Gauge AWG Converter
American Wire Gauge (AWG) is the standard for electrical wire sizing in North America. Wire gauge determines the cross-sectional area and electrical properties of a conductor. Lower AWG numbers indicate thicker, lower-resistance wire suitable for higher currents. Higher numbers indicate thinner, higher-resistance wire for low-current applications. Selecting the correct wire gauge is critical for electrical safety: undersized wire can overheat and cause fires, while oversized wire is wasteful and expensive. This converter calculates wire diameter (in millimetres and inches) and cross-sectional area (in square millimetres) from AWG numbers. A reference table shows common AWG sizes used in residential and industrial wiring.
Common AWG wire gauges
| AWG | Diameter (mm) | Diameter (inches) | Area (mm²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0000 | 11.68 | 0.4600 | 107.2 |
| 000 | 10.40 | 0.4100 | 85.0 |
| 00 | 9.27 | 0.3650 | 67.4 |
| 0 | 8.25 | 0.3250 | 53.5 |
| 2 | 6.54 | 0.2580 | 33.6 |
| 4 | 5.19 | 0.2040 | 21.2 |
| 6 | 4.11 | 0.1620 | 13.3 |
| 8 | 3.26 | 0.1280 | 8.4 |
| 10 | 2.59 | 0.1020 | 5.3 |
| 12 | 2.05 | 0.0808 | 3.3 |
| 14 | 1.63 | 0.0641 | 2.1 |
AWG formula
Diameter (mm) = 0.127 * 92^((36 - AWG) / 39)
Wire gauge AWG converter: frequently asked questions
What is AWG?
AWG (American Wire Gauge) is the standard measurement system for electrical wire diameter and cross-sectional area in North America. Lower AWG numbers indicate thicker wire. AWG 0000 (4/0) is the thickest common wire, and AWG 40 is very thin. The diameter follows an exponential scale.
Why use different wire gauges?
Different electrical applications require different wire sizes. Thicker wire (lower AWG) carries higher currents with less resistance and heat loss. Thinner wire (higher AWG) is lighter and cheaper but suitable only for low-current applications. Choosing the correct AWG is essential for electrical safety.
What is the formula for AWG diameter?
Diameter (mm) = 0.127 * 92^((36 - AWG) / 39). This exponential formula relates AWG number to physical diameter. The ratio between successive gauges is constant.
What AWG should I use for home wiring?
Home electrical circuits typically use AWG 14 or 12 (15-20 amp circuits) and AWG 10 or 8 (30-40 amp circuits). Ground and neutral wires often use the same gauge as the hot wire. Always follow local electrical codes.
Official sources
- NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC).
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 14 June 2026. See our methodology.