AWG to Cross-Section Area

Formula

Description

This formula converts American Wire Gauge (AWG) numbers to cross-sectional area in mm². The AWG system is based on the number of drawing dies the wire passes through, so larger AWG numbers indicate smaller wire. Each increase of 6 AWG approximately halves the area and doubles the resistance. Each increase of 3 AWG halves the area approximately. AWG 0000 (4/0) is the thickest standard gauge at 107.2 mm², while AWG 40 is a hair-thin 0.0079 mm² used in fine-pitch wire bonding and coil winding.

Variables

• AWG — American Wire Gauge number (integer, smaller = thicker)

Practical Notes

The result is in mm². Common conversions: AWG 30 = 0.051 mm², AWG 26 = 0.129 mm², AWG 22 = 0.326 mm², AWG 18 = 0.823 mm², AWG 14 = 2.08 mm², AWG 10 = 5.26 mm², AWG 4 = 21.15 mm². For metric equivalents in IEC/European practice: 0.5 mm² ≈ AWG 20, 1.5 mm² ≈ AWG 16, 2.5 mm² ≈ AWG 14, 4 mm² ≈ AWG 12, 6 mm² ≈ AWG 10. The relationship between AWG and diameter is: d_mm = 0.127 × 92^((36−AWG)/39).