electric cable equivalents,

American Wire Gauge to metric

The American Wire Gauge is based on the wire's diameter; the metric conductor sizes are based on the nominal area of the cross section of the conductor. The actual cross-sectional areas depend in part upon the stranding of the cable.

A cable with the metric value shown will have at least as much carrying capacity as the AWG cable for which it is being substituted. In other words, values have always been rounded up. For that reason, do not use this table to find the AWG equivalent to a metric cable. For that, go here.

The table assumes substitution of a metrically-sized cable of the same type as the AWG-sized cable. It cannot be used, for example, to find a metrically-sized aluminum cable to substitute for a copper AWG cable. If the types are dissimilar, consult the cable manufacturer's literature to determine capacity.

For American Wire Gauge	Substitute Metric Nominal Cross-sectional Area, square millimeters
6/0	185
5/0	150
4/0	120
3/0	95
2/0	70
0	70
1	50
2	35
3	35
4	25
5	25
6	16
7	16
8	10
9	10
10	6
11	6
12	4
13	4
14	2.5
15	2.5
16	1.5
17	1.5
18	1
19	0.75
20	0.75
21	0.5