AWG sizes convert to mm² through the AWG definition: diameter d = 0.127 × 92^((36 − n)/39) mm, area = π·d²/4. 20 AWG is 0.518 mm², 18 AWG 0.823 mm², 16 AWG 1.31 mm², 14 AWG 2.08 mm². Metric wire comes in its own series (0.35, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2.5 mm²…), so an AWG size has no exact metric twin.
Conversion table
| AWG | Diameter (solid) | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | 0.321 mm | 0.081 mm² |
| 26 | 0.405 mm | 0.129 mm² |
| 24 | 0.511 mm | 0.205 mm² |
| 22 | 0.644 mm | 0.326 mm² |
| 20 | 0.812 mm | 0.518 mm² |
| 18 | 1.024 mm | 0.823 mm² |
| 16 | 1.291 mm | 1.31 mm² |
| 14 | 1.628 mm | 2.08 mm² |
| 12 | 2.053 mm | 3.31 mm² |
| 10 | 2.588 mm | 5.26 mm² |
| 8 | 3.264 mm | 8.37 mm² |
| 6 | 4.115 mm | 13.3 mm² |
| 4 | 5.189 mm | 21.2 mm² |
Why there is no exact metric equivalent
- AWG steps by a fixed ratio; metric wire follows its own list of sizes. FLRY-B, for example, comes in 0.35, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 and 6 mm² (Prysmian datasheet).
- The table is for solid conductors. Stranded wire of the same gauge has a slightly different copper area, which is why datasheets quote their own values.
- None of the sources we opened publishes a “nearest metric size” mapping, so we do not give one. When you substitute, check the terminal's wire range in both units and the customer's drawing.
In Zorowire
The importer reads “0,5”, “0.5 mm²”, “20 AWG”, “#20”, “22ga” and “4/0”, and a column header such as “Size (AWG)” sets the unit for bare numbers. A harness can mix mm² and AWG; the cut list shows both, and a finding appears when a gauge falls outside the terminal's range.
Questions
What is 18 AWG in mm²?
0.823 mm² for a solid conductor. The closest common metric sizes are 0.75 and 1 mm²; check the terminal's range before substituting.
Is a bigger AWG number a thicker wire?
No, the opposite: a larger AWG number is a thinner wire. 22 AWG is thinner than 16 AWG.
Does Zorowire convert AWG to mm²?
Yes, with the AWG definition formula, and it keeps the gauge as written so the cut list shows the customer's unit.
Sources
- Wikipedia, American wire gauge (table from the AWG definition; CC BY-SA, facts only) · retrieved 2026-10-30
- Alpha Wire, Conductor Chart (AWG conversion, 2008-10-09) · retrieved 2026-10-30
- Prysmian FLRY-B datasheet DF 049-2000 index V (2020-10-06) · retrieved 2026-10-30
Stuck on something else? Ask the community.
Ask a questionNew harness guides in your inbox
About one e-mail a month: new guides, answers to the questions shops ask, and Zorowire news.
