AWG is American Wire Gauge. It can be converted to cross-sectional area in square millimeters. For example, 12 AWG is about 3.31 mm² and 10 AWG is about 5.26 mm².

Is AWG the same as cable current rating?

No. AWG gives conductor size. Actual ampacity depends on insulation temperature rating, installation method, ambient temperature, grouping, conduit fill, local code and safety factors.

Which is bigger, 12 AWG or 14 AWG?

12 AWG is larger than 14 AWG. In AWG numbering, a smaller gauge number means a larger conductor.

AWG to mm² Wire Size Chart | American Wire Gauge Reference

AWG to mm² Wire Size Chart

A mobile-friendly American Wire Gauge reference with AWG, square millimeters, diameter, approximate ampacity and common use notes.

⚠️ Important: This is a reference chart, not a final cable sizing standard. Final cable selection must follow local electrical code, installation method, insulation rating, ambient temperature, grouping/derating and voltage drop. For actual sizing, use the Wire Gauge & Cable Size Calculator, Voltage Drop Calculator and Motor Cable Size Calculator.

📏 Visual AWG size comparison

📌 Quick AWG to mm² cards

053.5 mm²~170 A*

233.6 mm²~130 A*

421.2 mm²~95 A*

613.3 mm²~65 A*

88.37 mm²~50 A*

105.26 mm²~35 A*

123.31 mm²~25 A*

142.08 mm²~20 A*

161.31 mm²~13 A*

180.823 mm²~7 A*

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🔎 AWG conversion table

AWG	Area	Diameter	Approx. Ampacity*	Common Use
0000 AWG	107.2 mm²	11.684 mm	260 A*	High-current service, battery, inverter feeders
000 AWG	85.0 mm²	10.405 mm	225 A*	Large feeders and battery cables
00 AWG	67.4 mm²	9.266 mm	195 A*	Sub-feeders, welding/battery cable
0 AWG	53.5 mm²	8.252 mm	170 A*	Large branch feeders
1 AWG	42.4 mm²	7.348 mm	150 A*	Heavy feeder cable
2 AWG	33.6 mm²	6.544 mm	130 A*	Feeder/sub-panel cable
3 AWG	26.7 mm²	5.827 mm	115 A*	Feeder cable
4 AWG	21.2 mm²	5.189 mm	95 A*	Large load circuits
5 AWG	16.8 mm²	4.621 mm	85 A*	Specialty cable size
6 AWG	13.3 mm²	4.115 mm	65 A*	Cooker, EV, sub circuits
7 AWG	10.5 mm²	3.665 mm	55 A*	Specialty cable size
8 AWG	8.37 mm²	3.264 mm	50 A*	High-power branch circuits
9 AWG	6.63 mm²	2.906 mm	40 A*	Specialty cable size
10 AWG	5.26 mm²	2.588 mm	35 A*	Appliances, DC wiring
11 AWG	4.17 mm²	2.305 mm	30 A*	Specialty cable size
12 AWG	3.31 mm²	2.053 mm	25 A*	General branch circuits
13 AWG	2.62 mm²	1.828 mm	20 A*	Specialty cable size
14 AWG	2.08 mm²	1.628 mm	20 A*	Lighting/small loads
15 AWG	1.65 mm²	1.450 mm	15 A*	Specialty cable size
16 AWG	1.31 mm²	1.291 mm	13 A*	Control/panel wiring
17 AWG	1.04 mm²	1.150 mm	10 A*	Control wiring
18 AWG	0.823 mm²	1.024 mm	7 A*	Signals, low current DC
20 AWG	0.518 mm²	0.812 mm	5 A*	Electronics and control wiring
22 AWG	0.326 mm²	0.644 mm	3 A*	Sensors and signal wires
24 AWG	0.205 mm²	0.511 mm	2 A*	Breadboard/jumper style wiring
26 AWG	0.129 mm²	0.405 mm	1.3 A*	Small signal wire
28 AWG	0.0810 mm²	0.321 mm	0.8 A*	Ribbon/jumper signal wire
30 AWG	0.0509 mm²	0.255 mm	0.5 A*	Very small signal wire

📋 Common Wire Size Conversions

Popular small wires

18 AWG0.823 mm²

16 AWG1.31 mm²

14 AWG2.08 mm²

Branch circuit sizes

12 AWG3.31 mm²

10 AWG5.26 mm²

8 AWG8.37 mm²

Larger cable sizes

6 AWG13.3 mm²

4 AWG21.2 mm²

2 AWG33.6 mm²

📚 Engineering Notes

AWG is not linear Each step changes conductor diameter by a fixed ratio. That is why the area difference between 10 AWG and 12 AWG is not just a simple subtraction.

Ampacity is installation-dependent The ampacity column is only a rough guide. Conduit, insulation temperature, cable bundling, ambient heat and local code can change the allowed current.

Use mm² for IEC-style cable sizing Many countries size cables by cross-sectional area such as 1.5 mm², 2.5 mm², 4 mm², 6 mm² and 10 mm².

Voltage drop still matters A wire can be safe by current but still too small for long distances. Check voltage drop separately.

AWG to mm² Wire Size Chart

This AWG to mm² chart helps convert American Wire Gauge sizes to square millimeters for electrical wiring, electronics, battery cables, solar wiring, control panels and maker projects.

How to use this AWG conversion chart

Find the AWG number and read the approximate conductor cross-sectional area in mm². A smaller AWG number means a larger conductor. For example, 10 AWG is larger than 12 AWG.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

12 AWG is approximately 3.31 mm² conductor area.

10 AWG is approximately 5.26 mm² conductor area.

12 AWG is bigger. In AWG, a lower number means a larger wire.

No. Actual ampacity depends on cable insulation, ambient temperature, conduit, bundling, installation method and local electrical code.

14 AWG is about 2.08 mm², so it is smaller than 2.5 mm². Do not substitute cable sizes without checking code, current rating and voltage drop.

1.5 mm² is between 15 AWG and 16 AWG. The nearest common AWG size is usually 15 AWG by area, but 16 AWG is smaller at about 1.31 mm².

4 mm² is close to 11 AWG, which is about 4.17 mm². 12 AWG is smaller at about 3.31 mm².

Yes, AWG normally refers to total conductor area. Stranded cable may have a slightly larger outside diameter because of air gaps and insulation.