electric cable equivalents,

Standard Wire Gauge to metric

The British Standard Wire Gauge (not to be confused with the Steel Wire Gauge, also with the symbol SWG) 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 SWG 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 SWG equivalent to a metric cable. For that, go here.

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

For Standard Wire Gauge	Substitute Metric Nominal Cross-sectional Area, square millimeters
7/0	150
6/0	120
5/0	95
4/0	95
3/0	95
2/0	70
0	70
1	50
2	50
3	35
4	35
5	25
6	25
7	16
8	16
9	16
10	10
11	10
12	6
13	6
14	4
15	4
16	2.5
17	2.5
18	1.5
19	1
20	0.75
21	0.75
22	0.5