Wire Gauge Converter Widget

Add an AWG to mm2 converter to your website. Visitors enter a gauge, an area or a diameter and get every other form, the nearest AWG and IEC sizes, and the copper resistance per kilometre and per 1000 feet.

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<iframe src="https://a2z.tools/embed/w/wire-gauge-converter" title="Wire Gauge Converter by A2Z Tools" width="100%" height="730" style="border:0;width:100%" loading="lazy" allow="clipboard-write"></iframe>

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How it works

American Wire Gauge is defined by a formula, not a lookup table: ASTM B258 fixes 36 AWG at 0.005 inch (0.127 mm) and 0000 at 0.46 inch, with 39 equal ratio steps between them, each 92^(1/39) or about 1.1229. The widget uses that exact definition (the same one the A2Z cable tools use for AWG areas), so it can convert fractional gauges and any area or diameter, and it lists the neighbouring standard gauges and the next IEC metric size up. Copper resistance is the annealed-copper resistivity at 20 C (1/58 ohm.mm2/m, IEC 60028) divided by the solid conductor's area.

Method

  • d(n) = 0.127 mm x 92^((36 - n) / 39); 1/0 = 0, 2/0 = -1, 3/0 = -2, 4/0 = -3
  • n = 36 - 39 x log92(d / 0.127 mm)
  • Area = pi x d^2 / 4; circular mils = (d in mils)^2; 1 kcmil = 0.506707 mm2
  • Copper resistance at 20 C = 1.724e-8 ohm.m / area; area to 4 decimals, diameter to 4 decimals in mm and 5 in inches

Worked examples

12 AWG

Inputs: Convert from AWG, 12

Result: 3.3088 mm2, 2.0525 mm (0.08081 in), 6,530 cmil, 5.2104 ohm/km copper at 20 C; next IEC size up 4 mm2

0.127 x 92^(24/39) = 2.0525 mm.

Limitations

  • Solid round conductors only; stranded and compact conductors have different overall diameters.
  • Gauges thinner than 40 AWG and larger than 4/0 as an AWG number are refused (use kcmil above 4/0).
  • Resistance is at 20 C for annealed copper; tinned, hard-drawn or aluminium conductors differ.

Where publishers use it

  • Electronics and audio blogs where readers switch between AWG and metric cable
  • Online cable and wire shops selling to both US and metric markets
  • Automotive and marine wiring guides converting 12 V cable sizes
  • Engineering students checking gauge tables

Questions

What is 12 AWG in mm2?

3.31 mm2 (2.053 mm diameter). The nearest larger IEC metric size is 4 mm2; 2.5 mm2 is smaller than 12 AWG.

Is stranded wire the same gauge as solid?

A stranded conductor of a given gauge has about the same copper area as the solid one, but a slightly larger overall diameter because of the gaps between strands.

Why does the widget not show ampacity?

Current rating depends on insulation temperature rating, installation method, grouping and ambient temperature, and is set by the wiring code in force. A single number would be misleading.

What are kcmil sizes?

Above 4/0, conductors are named by area in thousands of circular mils (kcmil or MCM). Choose Area (kcmil) to convert them; 250 kcmil is 126.7 mm2.

Sources

  1. ASTM B258 Standard specification for standard nominal diameters and cross-sectional areas of AWG sizes of solid round wires - ASTM International . AWG definition and nominal diameters
  2. Copper Wire Tables (NBS Handbook 100) - National Bureau of Standards (now NIST), 1966 . AWG tables and annealed copper resistivity
  3. IEC 60028:1925 International standard of resistance for copper - International Electrotechnical Commission . 1/58 ohm.mm2/m at 20 C

Cite or recommend this tool

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A2Z Tools Wire Gauge Converter
https://a2z.tools/embed/wire-gauge-converter

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