AWG · nominal diameter · calculated area

Wire Gauge Chart

This Wire Gauge Chart is a quick geometry reference for American Wire Gauge (AWG). Compare nominal bare-conductor diameter in inches and millimeters, then view the calculated circular area for the same row.

Use the Wire Gauge Chart for drawing checks, educational reference, printouts, and measurement context. In AWG, a smaller gauge number represents a larger nominal conductor diameter.

Finished cable dimensions, material, electrical performance, circuit suitability, and installation requirements are outside this Wire Gauge Chart. Confirm the actual product and applicable requirements before any safety-critical work.

AWG rowsGauge designations
Diameterinches and mm
Calculated areageometry only
Printablereference chart

Wire Gauge Chart quick lookup

This Wire Gauge Chart makes common AWG rows easy to compare. Values below are nominal bare-conductor diameter and calculated area, not an electrical rating or a finished-cable measurement.

14 AWG
1.628 mm · 2.081 mm²

A frequently referenced small conductor row; confirm the finished product rather than treating the geometry as a cable specification.

12 AWG
2.053 mm · 3.309 mm²

The nominal bare-conductor measurement is shown in both unit systems for direct reference.

10 AWG
2.588 mm · 5.261 mm²

Use this row for geometry comparison, drawing context, and printable reference checks.

AWG direction
Lower number · larger diameter

The numbered AWG scale moves opposite to the diameter: lower gauge numbers have larger nominal conductors.

Use the Wire Gauge Chart as a geometry reference

A Wire Gauge Chart answers a narrow question well: what nominal bare-conductor diameter and calculated area correspond to a named AWG size? It does not identify insulation thickness, strand count, finished outside diameter, current capacity, or approval for a particular installation.

3/3 free PDF/PNG downloads today
Quick Presets:

Wire Gauge Size Chart

Common AWG Geometry 4/0 to 30 AWG

ChartsPrintables.com

Wire Gauge Size Chart

Range: 4/0 to 30 AWG • A4

AWG SizeNominal DiameterCalculated Area
4/011.684 mm0.4600"107.22 mm²211.60 kcmil
3/010.405 mm0.4096"85.03 mm²167.81 kcmil
2/09.266 mm0.3648"67.43 mm²133.08 kcmil
1/08.251 mm0.3249"53.48 mm²105.53 kcmil
17.348 mm0.2893"42.41 mm²83.69 kcmil
26.544 mm0.2576"33.63 mm²66.37 kcmil
35.827 mm0.2294"26.67 mm²52.63 kcmil
45.189 mm0.2043"21.15 mm²41.74 kcmil
64.115 mm0.1620"13.30 mm²26.25 kcmil
83.264 mm0.1285"8.37 mm²16.51 kcmil
102.588 mm0.1019"5.26 mm²10.38 kcmil
122.053 mm0.0808"3.31 mm²6.53 kcmil
141.628 mm0.0641"2.08 mm²4.11 kcmil
161.291 mm0.0508"1.31 mm²2.58 kcmil
181.024 mm0.0403"0.82 mm²1.62 kcmil
200.812 mm0.0320"0.52 mm²1.02 kcmil
220.644 mm0.0253"0.33 mm²0.64 kcmil
240.511 mm0.0201"0.20 mm²0.40 kcmil
260.405 mm0.0159"0.13 mm²0.25 kcmil
280.321 mm0.0126"0.08 mm²0.16 kcmil
300.255 mm0.0100"0.05 mm²0.10 kcmil
Formula: d_n = 0.005 × 92^((36-n)/39) in; A = π(d/2)²
File Details

Rows

21

Range

4/0 to 30 AWG

PDF FILE SIZE

0KB

Quality

300 DPI

Workshop reference set

Keep the next lookup on your bench, not in another browser tab.

Seven watermark-free lookup sheets plus an index, organized for the measurements that repeatedly travel together: pipe, lumber, bolts, drills, screws, nails and wrenches.

7 sheets + indexLetter + A4One-time purchase
See the Workshop Pack

USD 9 one-time · no subscription required

How to read a Wire Gauge Chart row

Read this Wire Gauge Chart from the AWG designation to nominal diameter, then calculated area. Keep the reference limited to those geometry fields.

  1. 1

    Choose the AWG row

    Start with the labeled AWG size. The number is a gauge designation, so compare its published geometry rather than assuming its physical diameter.

  2. 2

    Read nominal diameter

    Use the diameter column when a drawing, hole, or reference needs the bare-conductor size in millimeters or inches.

  3. 3

    Check calculated area

    Use calculated area only as a geometric cross-section reference. It is derived from the nominal diameter shown in the same row.

  4. 4

    Verify the actual product

    For a finished cable or any installation, confirm the manufacturer documentation, applicable standard, and project requirements.

Common Wire Gauge Chart examples

These sample rows show the relationship between the AWG label, nominal diameter, and calculated area without extending the chart into circuit-selection guidance.

14 AWG geometry

This Wire Gauge Chart lists 14 AWG at a nominal 0.064084 in, or 1.628 mm, with a calculated area of 2.081 mm². These values describe a nominal bare conductor.

12 AWG geometry

For 12 AWG, this Wire Gauge Chart lists a nominal 0.080808 in, or 2.053 mm, with a calculated area of 3.309 mm². Verify any finished product separately.

10 AWG geometry

For 10 AWG, the Wire Gauge Chart lists a nominal 0.101897 in, or 2.588 mm, with a calculated area of 5.261 mm². The number does not provide an installation recommendation.

Wire Gauge Chart definitions

Use these terms before comparing values in the Wire Gauge Chart. They help keep a nominal geometry lookup separate from finished-product or installation decisions.

AWG
American Wire Gauge, a numbered system used here to identify nominal bare-conductor geometry.
Nominal diameter
The published reference diameter for the bare conductor. Actual products and manufacturing tolerances may differ.
Calculated area
The cross-sectional circle area calculated from the nominal diameter, expressed here in square millimeters.
Bare conductor
The conductor before insulation or jacket dimensions are considered.
Finished cable
A product construction that can include stranding, insulation, jacket, fillers, shielding, and other layers beyond the chart geometry.
Reference row
One AWG designation with the nominal geometric values that belong to it.

Wire Gauge Chart method and limits

This Wire Gauge Chart derives its dimensions from the standard AWG geometric relationship. That makes it useful for consistent nominal reference, but not a substitute for product data or electrical design.

The Wire Gauge Chart does not provide ampacity, resistance, voltage-drop calculations, conductor material properties, temperature ratings, code tables, or circuit approval. Those depend on the complete product and its intended use.

  • AWG diameter: dₙ = 0.005 × 92^((36−n)/39) in.
  • Metric conversion: 25.4 mm per inch.
  • Calculated area: A = π(d/2)².
  • Values describe nominal bare-conductor geometry only.

Reference-use note

Use this Wire Gauge Chart for nominal geometry reference only. For electrical, code-regulated, or safety-critical work, verify the manufacturer documentation, product listing, applicable standard, local requirements, and project-specific design with a qualified professional.

Wire Gauge Chart questions

Common questions about AWG nominal geometry and the scope of this reference.

What does AWG mean on a Wire Gauge Chart?

+
AWG means American Wire Gauge, a numbered system for bare-conductor geometry. A Wire Gauge Chart lists the nominal diameter and calculated cross-sectional area associated with each AWG number.

Does a lower AWG number mean a larger conductor?

+
Yes. In the AWG sequence, a lower gauge number corresponds to a larger nominal bare-conductor diameter. Read the exact row in this Wire Gauge Chart instead of estimating from the number alone.

Is wire gauge the same as finished cable size?

+
No. This Wire Gauge Chart describes nominal bare-conductor geometry. Insulation, jacket, stranding, construction, product standard, and manufacturer tolerances can change the finished cable dimensions.

Can I use this chart to choose circuit protection or installation sizes?

+
No. A Wire Gauge Chart is not an ampacity table or an installation recommendation. Circuit design, protection, voltage drop, temperature, bundling, terminations, product listing, and local requirements must be verified separately.

Why are both millimeters and inches shown?

+
The AWG system is based on an inch formula, while millimeters make field measurement and metric comparison easier. This Wire Gauge Chart shows both representations for the same nominal diameter.

How is calculated area produced?

+
The calculated area is the circle area from the nominal bare-conductor diameter: A = π(d/2)². It is a geometry value in the Wire Gauge Chart, not a statement of material, electrical performance, or product approval.