American Wire Gauge (AWG) is a standardized system used to define the physical size of electrical conductors, and it directly influences how a wire behaves in real-world applications. As the gauge number changes, so do the wire’s diameter and cross-sectional area—two properties that determine electrical resistance, current-carrying capability, and heat generation. Because AWG is logarithmic rather than linear, small changes in gauge can result in meaningful differences in conductor size and performance.
The chart below breaks down AWG sizes by diameter in both inches and millimeters, along with cross-sectional area expressed in square millimeters and square inches. These dimensions refer to the bare conductor only, not the insulation or jacket, and are consistent across copper, aluminum, and other conductive materials.
| AWG | Diameter (in) | Diameter (mm) | Area (mm²) | Area (in²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000 (4/0) | 0.4600 | 11.684 | 107.2 | 0.1662 |
| 000 (3/0) | 0.4096 | 10.405 | 85.0 | 0.1318 |
| 00 (2/0) | 0.3648 | 9.266 | 67.4 | 0.1045 |
| 0 (1/0) | 0.3249 | 8.252 | 53.5 | 0.0829 |
| 1 | 0.2893 | 7.348 | 42.4 | 0.0657 |
| 2 | 0.2576 | 6.544 | 33.6 | 0.0521 |
| 3 | 0.2294 | 5.827 | 26.7 | 0.0413 |
| 4 | 0.2043 | 5.189 | 21.1 | 0.0328 |
| 5 | 0.1819 | 4.621 | 16.8 | 0.0260 |
| 6 | 0.1620 | 4.115 | 13.3 | 0.0206 |
| 7 | 0.1443 | 3.665 | 10.5 | 0.0164 |
| 8 | 0.1285 | 3.264 | 8.37 | 0.0130 |
| 9 | 0.1144 | 2.906 | 6.63 | 0.0103 |
| 10 | 0.1019 | 2.588 | 5.26 | 0.00815 |
| 11 | 0.0907 | 2.305 | 4.17 | 0.00647 |
| 12 | 0.0808 | 2.053 | 3.31 | 0.00513 |
| 13 | 0.0720 | 1.828 | 2.62 | 0.00407 |
| 14 | 0.0641 | 1.628 | 2.08 | 0.00323 |
| 15 | 0.0571 | 1.450 | 1.65 | 0.00256 |
| 16 | 0.0508 | 1.291 | 1.31 | 0.00203 |
| 17 | 0.0453 | 1.150 | 1.04 | 0.00161 |
| 18 | 0.0403 | 1.024 | 0.823 | 0.00128 |
| 19 | 0.0359 | 0.912 | 0.653 | 0.00101 |
| 20 | 0.0320 | 0.812 | 0.518 | 0.000802 |
| 21 | 0.0285 | 0.723 | 0.410 | 0.000636 |
| 22 | 0.0253 | 0.644 | 0.326 | 0.000505 |
| 23 | 0.0226 | 0.573 | 0.258 | 0.000400 |
| 24 | 0.0201 | 0.511 | 0.205 | 0.000317 |
| 25 | 0.0179 | 0.455 | 0.162 | 0.000252 |
| 26 | 0.0159 | 0.405 | 0.129 | 0.000200 |
| 27 | 0.0142 | 0.361 | 0.102 | 0.000158 |
| 28 | 0.0126 | 0.321 | 0.0810 | 0.000126 |
| 29 | 0.0113 | 0.286 | 0.0642 | 0.0000995 |
| 30 | 0.0100 | 0.255 | 0.0509 | 0.0000789 |
MISUMI USA carries a wide range of industrial manufacturing components – including Control and Instrumentation Cables– for your next project or machine fix. If you have any questions about measurement or sizing for your AWG needs, feel free to connect with our product experts, and engineers. Also, if you are looking for more insights be sure to check out our other blog articles, including: How to Select a Hook-Up Wire or Cable, AMP Table for AWG, Copper Resistance Wire, and more.
Author: Scott Bredemann | Updated: 1/16/2026
Disclaimer:
The content on this webpage is for informational purposes only. MISUMI makes no guarantees, expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or validity of the information. Performance parameters, tolerances, designs, materials, or processes should not be assumed to reflect third-party suppliers’ or manufacturers’ deliverables within MISUMI’s network. Buyers are responsible for specifying their part requirements.