Convert between AWG and cross-sectional area, and check ampacity.
AWG is a logarithmic scale: every six gauges roughly doubles the diameter and every three gauges doubles the area. The ampacity shown is an approximation for insulated copper in free air and must be derated for grouping and ambient temperature. Because the scale runs backwards, mistaking 10 AWG for 1/0 AWG understates conductor area by a factor of ten.
Wire Gauge
Diameter (mm) = 0.127 × 92^((36 − AWG) ÷ 39); area = π (d ÷ 2)²
Diameter (mm) = 0.127 × 92^((36 − AWG) ÷ 39); area = π (d ÷ 2)² AWG is a logarithmic scale: every six gauges roughly doubles the diameter and every three gauges doubles the area. The ampacity shown is an approximation for insulated copper in free air and must be derated for grouping and ambient temperature.
Because the scale runs backwards, mistaking 10 AWG for 1/0 AWG understates conductor area by a factor of ten.
This calculator takes 3 inputs: AWG size, Current to carry, Run length. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.