AWG Wire Reference Table

Diameter, cross-section, resistance, and current ratings for AWG 0000 to AWG 40

← Back to Electronics

AWG Wire Data

🔍
AWG ↕ Ø mm ↕ Ø inch ↕ mm² ↕ Ω/m ↕ Ω/ft ↕ Max A
(chassis) ↕		 Max A
(power) ↕		 Typical use

Notes & Guidelines

Current ratings

Chassis wiring — wire routed in open air or loose bundles (NEC / UL). Power wiring — wire inside panels, conduits, or tight bundles (more conservative, higher temp rise limit). Always use the lower (power) rating when in doubt.

AWG numbering

Counterintuitively, lower AWG = thicker wire. AWG 0000 (4/0) is the thickest listed. Each 6 AWG steps ≈ halves the cross-section. Resistance values are for annealed copper at 20 °C.

Metric equivalents

  • AWG 22 ≈ 0.34 mm²
  • AWG 20 ≈ 0.52 mm²
  • AWG 18 ≈ 0.82 mm²
  • AWG 16 ≈ 1.31 mm²
  • AWG 14 ≈ 2.08 mm²
  • AWG 12 ≈ 3.31 mm²
  • AWG 10 ≈ 5.26 mm²

Quick selection guide

  • Microcontroller signals: AWG 28–24
  • LED strips, small motors: AWG 22–20
  • Arduino/ESP32 power: AWG 22–18
  • 12 V car/RC wiring: AWG 18–14
  • Mains / high-power: AWG 14–10
  • Battery/inverter cables: AWG 8–0
AWG vs. EU metric wire sizes (mm²)

Closest metric equivalents

  • AWG 28 → 0.08 mm²
  • AWG 26 → 0.14 mm²
  • AWG 24 → 0.20 mm²
  • AWG 22 → 0.34 mm²
  • AWG 20 → 0.50 mm²
  • AWG 18 → 0.75 mm²
  • AWG 17 → 1.00 mm²
  • AWG 16 → 1.50 mm²
  • AWG 14 → 2.50 mm²
  • AWG 12 → 4.00 mm²
  • AWG 10 → 6.00 mm²
  • AWG 8 → 10.0 mm²
  • AWG 6 → 16.0 mm²

Important differences

EU metric cables (H05V-K, CYKY, CYKFY) are specified in mm². AWG and metric sizes are not exact equivalents — always verify the actual cross-section area (mm²) when mixing standards. Stranded wire of the same AWG may have slightly different outer diameter than solid wire.