AWG to mm converter: wire diameter from gauge
Pick an AWG number to get the exact solid wire diameter in millimeters, with inches and cross-section area.
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How to use it
- Enter awg gauge.
- The result appears straight away and updates as you edit.
- Copy the result, or copy a link that keeps the same values to share it.
How it is calculated
Diameter (in) = 0.005 × 92^((36 − n) / 39), where n is the gauge and 00 = −1, 000 = −2, 0000 = −3. Diameter (mm) = inches × 25.4, area = π / 4 × diameter².
Example
Inputs: AWG gauge = 12. Result: Diameter: 2.0525 mm; Diameter in inches: 0.08081 in; Cross-section area: 3.3088 mm².
Limits and caveats
- Values are for a single solid wire; stranded conductors have a slightly larger outer diameter.
- ASTM tables round diameters to 0.0001 in, so the last digit may differ.
Questions about this tool
What is the diameter of 12 AWG wire in mm?
12 AWG wire is about 2.053 mm across, with a cross-section of 3.31 mm².
Why does the diameter shrink as the AWG number grows?
The number originally counted drawing passes through dies, and each pass thins the wire, so a higher number means a thinner wire.
Does every 6 gauges double the diameter?
Roughly, yes. Going down 6 gauge numbers about doubles the diameter, and going down 3 about doubles the area.