What is the AWG?
The American Wire Gauge (AWG) is a standardized system used primarily in the United States to measure the diameter of electrical wires. Established in the 19th century, AWG emerged to address the need for uniformity in wire sizing, ensuring compatibility and safety across industries. Unlike metric measurements, AWG assigns a numerical value to a wire’s thickness, with a unique inverse relationship: a higher AWG number corresponds to a thinner wire (e.g., AWG 24 is 0.0201 inches in diameter), while a lower number indicates a thicker one (e.g., AWG 4 has a diameter of 0.2043 inches). This gauge system also calculates cross-sectional area, critical for determining current-carrying capacity. Common AWG sizes include AWG 12 (2.05 mm²) for household wiring and AWG 24 (0.205 mm²) for low-voltage electronics, reflecting its versatility in applications from power grids to consumer devices.
AWG Size to Inches and Millimeters
This Standard Wire Gauge Chart is for simple conversions and reference while you work. Convert standardized AWG (American Wire Gauge) sizes to inches (in) and millimeters (mm). Refer to this chart to help determine the correct wire size to order.
Table 1: standardized AWG sizes to inches and millimeters
| Gauge No. | Inch | mm | Gauge No. | Inch | mm |
| 0000 | 0.4600 | 11.684 | 19 | 0.0359 | 0.912 |
| 000 | 0.4096 | 10.404 | 20 | 0.0320 | 0.812 |
| 00 | 0.3648 | 9.266 | 21 | 0.0285 | 0.724 |
| 0 | 0.3249 | 8.252 | 22 | 0.0253 | 0.644 |
| 1 | 0.2893 | 7.348 | 23 | 0.0226 | 0.574 |
| 2 | 0.2576 | 6.544 | 24 | 0.0201 | 0.511 |
| 3 | 0.2294 | 5.827 | 25 | 0.0179 | 0.455 |
| 4 | 0.2043 | 5.189 | 26 | 0.0159 | 0.404 |
| 5 | 0.1819 | 4.621 | 27 | 0.0142 | 0.361 |
| 6 | 0.1620 | 4.115 | 28 | 0.0126 | 0.320 |
| 7 | 0.1443 | 3.665 | 29 | 0.0113 | 0.287 |
| 8 | 0.1285 | 3.264 | 30 | 0.0100 | 0.255 |
| 9 | 0.1144 | 2.906 | 31 | 0.0089 | 0.227 |
| 10 | 0.1019 | 2.588 | 32 | 0.0080 | 0.202 |
| 11 | 0.0907 | 2.305 | 33 | 0.0071 | 0.180 |
| 12 | 0.0808 | 2.053 | 34 | 0.0063 | 0.160 |
| 13 | 0.0720 | 1.828 | 35 | 0.0056 | 0.143 |
| 14 | 0.0641 | 1.628 | 36 | 0.0050 | 0.127 |
| 15 | 0.0571 | 1.450 | 37 | 0.0045 | 0.113 |
| 16 | 0.0508 | 1.291 | 38 | 0.0040 | 0.102 |
| 17 | 0.0453 | 1.150 | 39 | 0.0035 | 0.089 |
| 18 | 0.0403 | 1.024 | 40 | 0.0031 | 0.079 |
This chart provides a quick reference for converting between AWG sizes and their corresponding diameters in inches and millimeters.
About The Wire Gauge Conversion Chart
About wire gauge sizes, the larger the number, the smaller the diameter of the wire. The most commonly used sizes for wire wrapping are 20 to 24 gauge. Here is a brief clarification of the key points:
- 26 Gauge – extra fine – for very small and delicate projects
- 24 Gauge – fine – for pearls and most gemstones – easy to work with
- 22 Gauge – medium – fairly universal for glass beads, fits some pearls and gemstones
- 20 Gauge – medium heavy – great for ear wires, clasps, or larger beads
- 18 Gauge – heavy – often good for chainmaille or when a heavier look is needed
- 16 Gauge – heavy – often used as a base to wrap finer wires around
- 14 Gauge – heavy – often used as a base to wrap finer wire around
- 12 Gauge – very heavy – hard to work with – good for rings and buckles
If you need exact metric measurements, contact us (max@heegermaterials.com) for measurement assistance or any other questions.
Technical Information on Refractory Metals
Exploring Properties of High-Melting Point Materials
Refractory metals are known for their exceptional resistance to heat and corrosion, making them invaluable in various industries such as electronics and aerospace engineering. Their high melting points and density contribute significantly to their durability and performance under extreme conditions.
| Metal | Melting Point (°C) | Density (g/cm³) |
|---|---|---|
| Tungsten | 3422 | 19.3 |
| Molybdenum | 2623 | 10.2 |
| Rhenium | 3186 | 21.0 |
| Osmium | 3033 | 22.59 |
| Iridium | 2466 | 22.56 |
These properties make refractory metals indispensable for high-performance applications where conventional materials would fail under extreme conditions.
Need Additional Technical Information?
Visit our Refractory Metal products pages for in-depth information on tantalum, tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, high-entropy alloys, and master alloys. Explore detailed data on chemical reactivity, melting point, density, thermal expansion, mechanical properties, and other critical properties.