Wire Gauge Calculator
Convert between Standard Wire Gauge (SWG), American Wire Gauge (AWG), and metric wire diameters.
Wire Gauge Conversion Chart
| SWG | AWG | Metric (mm) | Diameter (inches) | Approx Cross-Section (mm²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 10 | 4.06 | 0.159 | 13.0 |
| 10 | 12 | 3.25 | 0.128 | 8.3 |
| 12 | 14 | 2.64 | 0.104 | 5.5 |
| 14 | 16 | 2.03 | 0.080 | 3.2 |
| 16 | 18 | 1.63 | 0.064 | 2.1 |
| 18 | 20 | 1.22 | 0.048 | 1.2 |
| 20 | 22 | 0.91 | 0.036 | 0.65 |
| 22 | 24 | 0.71 | 0.028 | 0.4 |
| 24 | 26 | 0.56 | 0.022 | 0.25 |
| 26 | 28 | 0.46 | 0.018 | 0.17 |
| 28 | 30 | 0.38 | 0.015 | 0.11 |
| 30 | 32 | 0.31 | 0.012 | 0.076 |
Wire Gauge Standards
- SWG (British): Standard Wire Gauge - used in UK and Commonwealth
- AWG (American): American Wire Gauge - used in North America
- Metric: Direct measurement in millimeters
- Note: SWG and AWG are inversely numbered (higher number = thinner wire)
- For Model Engineering: SWG is typically preferred in UK shops
Metric Wire Sizes
| Diameter (mm) | Cross-Section (mm²) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 0.32 | 0.08 | Fine detail work, jewelry |
| 0.5 | 0.20 | Precision wiring |
| 0.71 | 0.40 | Electronics, light gauge |
| 1.0 | 0.79 | General purpose wiring |
| 1.5 | 1.77 | Structural, electrical |
| 2.0 | 3.14 | Heavy gauge work |
| 2.5 | 4.91 | Robust structures |
| 3.0 | 7.07 | Heavy duty |