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Wire size chart: AWG, mm², OD and colours
Gauges, outside diameters and colour codes for harness wire, each value with its source and the date we read it.
No account. Nothing is stored. · Last updated
In short
An AWG size is a diameter of solid copper; mm² is a cross-section. 20 AWG is 0.518 mm² of copper, 18 AWG 0.823 mm², 16 AWG 1.31 mm²: none of them equals a metric size, so a drawing that mixes the two needs a choice, not a conversion. Outside diameters differ between wire types of the same size (thin-wall FLRY against TXL, GXL and SXL), and between makes within the same standard — use the maker's sheet for the wire you buy.
Worked example
20 AWG = 0.518 mm² · 18 AWG = 0.823 mm² · 16 AWG = 1.31 mm² · 14 AWG = 2.08 mm² · 12 AWG = 3.31 mm²
AWG to mm² (solid conductor)
| AWG | Diameter (mm) | Area (mm²) |
|---|---|---|
| 4/0 | 11.684 | 107 |
| 3/0 | 10.405 | 85 |
| 2/0 | 9.266 | 67.4 |
| 1/0 | 8.251 | 53.5 |
| 1 | 7.348 | 42.4 |
| 2 | 6.544 | 33.6 |
| 3 | 5.827 | 26.7 |
| 4 | 5.189 | 21.2 |
| 5 | 4.621 | 16.8 |
| 6 | 4.115 | 13.3 |
| 7 | 3.665 | 10.5 |
| 8 | 3.264 | 8.37 |
| 9 | 2.906 | 6.63 |
| 10 | 2.588 | 5.26 |
| 11 | 2.305 | 4.17 |
| 12 | 2.053 | 3.31 |
| 13 | 1.828 | 2.62 |
| 14 | 1.628 | 2.08 |
| 15 | 1.45 | 1.65 |
| 16 | 1.291 | 1.31 |
| 17 | 1.15 | 1.04 |
| 18 | 1.024 | 0.823 |
| 19 | 0.912 | 0.653 |
| 20 | 0.812 | 0.518 |
| 21 | 0.723 | 0.41 |
| 22 | 0.644 | 0.326 |
| 23 | 0.573 | 0.258 |
| 24 | 0.511 | 0.205 |
| 25 | 0.455 | 0.162 |
| 26 | 0.405 | 0.129 |
| 27 | 0.361 | 0.102 |
| 28 | 0.321 | 0.081 |
| 29 | 0.286 | 0.064 |
| 30 | 0.255 | 0.051 |
| 31 | 0.227 | 0.04 |
| 32 | 0.202 | 0.032 |
| 33 | 0.18 | 0.025 |
| 34 | 0.16 | 0.02 |
| 35 | 0.143 | 0.016 |
| 36 | 0.127 | 0.013 |
| 37 | 0.113 | 0.01 |
| 38 | 0.101 | 0.008 |
| 39 | 0.09 | 0.006 |
| 40 | 0.08 | 0.005 |
Source: en.wikipedia.org (2026-10-30)
Outside diameter by wire type
Values as each maker or distributor states them; inch values converted (× 25.4). Other makes of the same type differ within the standard's limits.
FLRY-B — ISO 6722-1 · PVC · -40 to +105 °C (3000 h)
| Size | mm² | AWG | Stranding | OD min (mm) | OD nom. (mm) | OD max (mm) | Wall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.35 | 0.35 | — | 12x0.21 | 1.2 | — | 1.4 | — |
| 0.5 | 0.5 | — | 16x0.21 | 1.4 | — | 1.6 | — |
| 0.75 | 0.75 | — | 24x0.21 | 1.7 | — | 1.9 | — |
| 1 | 1 | — | 32x0.21 | 1.9 | — | 2.1 | — |
| 1.25 | 1.25 | — | 38x0.21 | 2.1 | — | 2.3 | — |
| 1.5 | 1.5 | — | 30x0.26 | 2.2 | — | 2.4 | — |
| 2 | 2 | — | 28x0.31 | 2.5 | — | 2.8 | — |
| 2.5 | 2.5 | — | 50x0.26 | 2.7 | — | 3 | — |
| 3 | 3 | — | 44x0.31 | 3.1 | — | 3.4 | — |
| 4 | 4 | — | 56x0.31 | 3.4 | — | 3.7 | — |
| 5 | 5 | — | 70x0.31 | 3.9 | — | 4.2 | — |
| 6 | 6 | — | 84x0.31 | 4 | — | 4.3 | — |
Source: na.prysmian.com (2026-10-30)
FLRY-A — ISO 6722-1 / LV 112-1 (conductor acc. to LV 112-1 and ISO 6722-1, as stated by source) · PVC · -40 to +105 °C (3000 h)
| Size | mm² | AWG | Stranding | OD min (mm) | OD nom. (mm) | OD max (mm) | Wall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.22 | 0.22 | — | 7x0.21 | 1.1 | — | 1.2 | — |
| 0.35 | 0.35 | — | 7x0.27 | 1.2 | — | 1.3 | — |
| 0.5 | 0.5 | — | 19x0.20 | 1.4 | — | 1.6 | — |
| 0.75 | 0.75 | — | 19x0.24 | 1.7 | — | 1.9 | — |
| 1 | 1 | — | 19x0.27 | 1.9 | — | 2.1 | — |
| 1.5 | 1.5 | — | 19x0.33 | 2.2 | — | 2.4 | — |
| 2.5 | 2.5 | — | 19x0.41 | 2.7 | — | 3 | — |
| 4 | 4 | — | 37x0.38 | 3.4 | — | 3.7 | — |
| 6 | 6 | — | 37x0.45 | 4 | — | 4.3 | — |
Source: na.prysmian.com (2026-10-30)
TXL — SAE J1128 · XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) · -51 to +125 °C
| Size | mm² | AWG | Stranding | OD min (mm) | OD nom. (mm) | OD max (mm) | Wall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 AWG (7/30) | — | 22 | 7/30 | — | 1.57 | — | 0.406 |
| 20 AWG (7/28) | — | 20 | 7/28 | — | 1.78 | — | 0.406 |
| 18 AWG (16/30) | — | 18 | 16/30 | — | 2.01 | — | 0.406 |
| 16 AWG (19/29) | — | 16 | 19/29 | — | 2.26 | — | 0.406 |
| 14 AWG (19/27) | — | 14 | 19/27 | — | 2.62 | — | 0.406 |
| 12 AWG (19/25) | — | 12 | 19/25 | — | 3.2 | — | 0.457 |
| 10 AWG (19/23) | — | 10 | 19/23 | — | 3.94 | — | 0.508 |
Source: awcwire.com (2026-10-30)
GXL — SAE J1128 · XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) · -40 to +125 °C
| Size | mm² | AWG | Stranding | OD min (mm) | OD nom. (mm) | OD max (mm) | Wall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 AWG (7/28) | — | 20 | 7/28 | — | 2.13 | — | 0.584 |
| 18 AWG (16/30) | — | 18 | 16/30 | — | 2.39 | — | 0.584 |
| 16 AWG (19/29) | — | 16 | 19/29 | — | 2.64 | — | 0.584 |
| 14 AWG (19/27) | — | 14 | 19/27 | — | 2.95 | — | 0.584 |
| 12 AWG (19/25) | — | 12 | 19/25 | — | 3.58 | — | 0.66 |
| 10 AWG (19/23) | — | 10 | 19/23 | — | 4.42 | — | 0.787 |
Source: awcwire.com (2026-10-30)
SXL — SAE J1128 · XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) · -51 to +125 °C
| Size | mm² | AWG | Stranding | OD min (mm) | OD nom. (mm) | OD max (mm) | Wall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 AWG (7/28) | — | 20 | 7/28 | — | 2.44 | — | 0.737 |
| 18 AWG (16/30) | — | 18 | 16/30 | — | 2.72 | — | 0.762 |
| 16 AWG (19/29) | — | 16 | 19/29 | — | 3 | — | 0.762 |
| 14 AWG (19/27) | — | 14 | 19/27 | — | 3.56 | — | 0.889 |
| 12 AWG (19/25) | — | 12 | 19/25 | — | 4.06 | — | 0.94 |
| 10 AWG (19/23) | — | 10 | 19/23 | — | 4.88 | — | 1.092 |
Source: awcwire.com (2026-10-30)
UL1007 — UL AWM style 1007 (also style 1569; CSA TR-64) · PVC · -40 to +105 °C
| Size | mm² | AWG | Stranding | OD min (mm) | OD nom. (mm) | OD max (mm) | Wall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 AWG (7/38) | — | 30 | 7/38 | 1.07 | 1.12 | 1.17 | 0.406 |
| 28 AWG (7/36) | — | 28 | 7/36 | 1.14 | 1.19 | 1.24 | 0.406 |
| 26 AWG (7/34) | — | 26 | 7/34 | 1.24 | 1.3 | 1.35 | 0.406 |
| 24 AWG (7/32) | — | 24 | 7/32 | 1.37 | 1.42 | 1.47 | 0.406 |
| 22 AWG (7/30) | — | 22 | 7/30 | 1.52 | 1.57 | 1.63 | 0.406 |
| 20 AWG (10/30) | — | 20 | 10/30 | 1.7 | 1.75 | 1.8 | 0.406 |
| 18 AWG (16/30) | — | 18 | 16/30 | 1.96 | 2.01 | 2.06 | 0.406 |
| 16 AWG (26/30) | — | 16 | 26/30 | 2.29 | 2.34 | 2.39 | 0.406 |
Source: alphawire.com (2026-10-30)
UL1015 — UL AWM style 1015 (also style 1230; MTW/TEW on most sizes) · PVC · -40 to +105 °C
| Size | mm² | AWG | Stranding | OD min (mm) | OD nom. (mm) | OD max (mm) | Wall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 AWG (7/32) | — | 24 | 7/32 | 2.13 | 2.24 | 2.34 | 0.813 |
| 22 AWG (7/30) | — | 22 | 7/30 | 2.29 | 2.39 | 2.49 | 0.813 |
| 20 AWG (10/30) | — | 20 | 10/30 | 2.46 | 2.57 | 2.67 | 0.813 |
| 18 AWG (16/30) | — | 18 | 16/30 | 2.72 | 2.82 | 2.92 | 0.813 |
| 16 AWG (26/30) | — | 16 | 26/30 | 3.05 | 3.15 | 3.25 | 0.813 |
| 14 AWG (41/30) | — | 14 | 41/30 | 3.4 | 3.51 | 3.61 | 0.813 |
| 12 AWG (65/30) | — | 12 | 65/30 | 3.73 | 3.84 | 3.94 | 0.813 |
| 10 AWG (105/30) | — | 10 | 105/30 | 4.57 | 4.67 | 4.78 | 0.813 |
Source: alphawire.com (2026-10-30)
M22759/16 — SAE AS22759/16 (MIL-W-22759/16) · ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) · -55 to +150 °C
| Size | mm² | AWG | Stranding | OD min (mm) | OD nom. (mm) | OD max (mm) | Wall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 AWG (19/36) | — | 24 | 19/36 | 1.09 | — | 1.19 | — |
| 22 AWG (19/34) | — | 22 | 19/34 | 1.27 | — | 1.37 | — |
| 20 AWG (19/32) | — | 20 | 19/32 | 1.47 | — | 1.57 | — |
| 18 AWG (19/30) | — | 18 | 19/30 | 1.75 | — | 1.85 | — |
| 16 AWG (19/29) | — | 16 | 19/29 | 1.96 | — | 2.06 | — |
| 14 AWG (19/27) | — | 14 | 19/27 | 2.31 | — | 2.41 | — |
| 12 AWG (37/28) | — | 12 | 37/28 | 2.82 | — | 2.97 | — |
| 10 AWG (37/26) | — | 10 | 37/26 | 3.45 | — | 3.61 | — |
Source: awcwire.com (2026-10-30)
M22759/32 — SAE AS22759/32 (MIL-W-22759/32) · XL-ETFE (cross-linked ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) · -55 to +150 °C
| Size | mm² | AWG | Stranding | OD min (mm) | OD nom. (mm) | OD max (mm) | Wall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 AWG (19/38) | — | 26 | 19/38 | 0.76 | — | 0.86 | — |
| 24 AWG (19/36) | — | 24 | 19/36 | 0.89 | — | 0.99 | — |
| 22 AWG (19/34) | — | 22 | 19/34 | 1.04 | — | 1.14 | — |
| 20 AWG (19/32) | — | 20 | 19/32 | 1.22 | — | 1.32 | — |
| 18 AWG (19/30) | — | 18 | 19/30 | 1.47 | — | 1.57 | — |
| 16 AWG (19/29) | — | 16 | 19/29 | 1.68 | — | 1.78 | — |
| 14 AWG (19/27) | — | 14 | 19/27 | 2.08 | — | 2.24 | — |
| 12 AWG (37/25) | — | 12 | 37/25 | 2.54 | — | 2.69 | — |
Source: awcwire.com (2026-10-30)
IEC 60757 colour codes
Two-letter codes used on drawings and wire lists. The swatches are screen colours only. (in use; edition not verified (source names IEC 60757 of January 1983 and DIN IEC 60757:1986-07 as latest))
| Code | Colour | German |
|---|---|---|
| BK | black | schwarz |
| BN | brown | braun |
| RD | red | rot |
| OG | orange | orange |
| YE | yellow | gelb |
| GN | green | grün |
| BU | blue | blau |
| VT | violet | violett |
| GY | grey | grau |
| WH | white | weiß |
| PK | pink | rosa |
| TQ | turquoise | türkis |
| GNYE | green-yellow | grün-gelb |
| GD | gold | gold |
| SR | silver | silber |
Source: de.wikipedia.org (2026-10-30)
DIN 47100 core colours (1–44)
For multi-core cables: one colour for cores 1–10, base colour plus stripe or ring from core 11. The first colour is the base. DIN 47100 was withdrawn in 1998 and is still widely used.
| Core | Colour | German |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | white | weiß |
| 2 | brown | braun |
| 3 | green | grün |
| 4 | yellow | gelb |
| 5 | grey | grau |
| 6 | pink | rosa |
| 7 | blue | blau |
| 8 | red | rot |
| 9 | black | schwarz |
| 10 | violet | violett |
| 11 | grey-pink | graurosa |
| 12 | red-blue | rotblau |
| 13 | white-green | weißgrün |
| 14 | brown-green | braungrün |
| 15 | white-yellow | weißgelb |
| 16 | yellow-brown | gelbbraun |
| 17 | white-grey | weißgrau |
| 18 | grey-brown | graubraun |
| 19 | white-pink | weißrosa |
| 20 | pink-brown | rosabraun |
| 21 | white-blue | weißblau |
| 22 | brown-blue | braunblau |
| 23 | white-red | weißrot |
| 24 | brown-red | braunrot |
| 25 | white-black | weißschwarz |
| 26 | brown-black | braunschwarz |
| 27 | grey-green | graugrün |
| 28 | yellow-grey | gelbgrau |
| 29 | pink-green | rosagrün |
| 30 | yellow-pink | gelbrosa |
| 31 | green-blue | grünblau |
| 32 | yellow-blue | gelbblau |
| 33 | green-red | grünrot |
| 34 | yellow-red | gelbrot |
| 35 | green-black | grünschwarz |
| 36 | yellow-black | gelbschwarz |
| 37 | grey-blue | graublau |
| 38 | pink-blue | rosablau |
| 39 | grey-red | graurot |
| 40 | pink-red | rosarot |
| 41 | grey-black | grauschwarz |
| 42 | pink-black | rosaschwarz |
| 43 | blue-black | blauschwarz |
| 44 | red-black | rotschwarz |
Source: elandcables.com (2026-10-30)
Writing a two-colour wire
How sources write a base colour with a stripe. Where a source says so, the first colour is the base.
| Written as | Means |
|---|---|
| WHGN | white base with green stripe or ring (DIN 47100 core 13) |
| base colour + ring colour | first colour = base colour of core insulation, second or third = printed ring colour |
| GNYE | green-yellow (a single IEC 60757 code of its own) |
| BKWH | two IEC letter codes written together in an order code (German SWWS) |
| WHITE/BLACK | slash between two full colour names (hook-up wire colour list) |
| BLACK WITH WHITE STRIPE | base colour named first, stripe colour after 'with ... stripe' |
| YR | yellow with red stripe (letter of base colour first, then stripe) |
Source: elandcables.com (2026-10-30)
Questions
- Is 18 AWG the same as 0.75 mm²?
- No. 18 AWG is 0.823 mm² of copper; 0.75 mm² lies between 19 AWG (0.653 mm²) and 18 AWG. Using one for the other is a decision for the drawing's owner, not a conversion: the terminal's wire range and the current capacity both depend on it.
- Why do two 0.5 mm² wires have different diameters?
- The insulation. FLRY-B is a thin-wall PVC wire; TXL, GXL and SXL are XLPE wires with thin, medium and thick walls. The outside diameter decides the seal and the grommet, so take it from your wire's own sheet.
- Which colour code should my wire list use?
- IEC 60757 letter codes (BK, BN, RD …) are short and unambiguous in every language. Zorowire's importer also reads German, Romanian and Polish colour names and the old DIN 47002 abbreviations.
- Is the AWG table for stranded wire too?
- It is the AWG definition: solid round copper. A stranded conductor of the same gauge has its own area, given in the wire maker's sheet.
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org — retrieved 2026-10-30
- alphawire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- FLRY-B — na.prysmian.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- FLRY-A — na.prysmian.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- TXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- TXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- TXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- TXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- TXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- TXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- TXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- GXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- GXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- GXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- GXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- GXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- GXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- SXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- SXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- SXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- SXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- SXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- SXL — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- UL1007 — alphawire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- UL1007 — alphawire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- UL1007 — alphawire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- UL1007 — alphawire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- UL1007 — alphawire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- UL1007 — alphawire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- UL1007 — alphawire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- UL1007 — alphawire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- UL1015 — alphawire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- UL1015 — alphawire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- UL1015 — alphawire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- UL1015 — alphawire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- UL1015 — alphawire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- UL1015 — alphawire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- UL1015 — alphawire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- UL1015 — alphawire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- M22759/16 — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- M22759/16 — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- M22759/16 — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- M22759/16 — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- M22759/16 — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- M22759/16 — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- M22759/16 — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- M22759/16 — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- M22759/32 — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- M22759/32 — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- M22759/32 — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- M22759/32 — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- M22759/32 — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- M22759/32 — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- M22759/32 — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- M22759/32 — awcwire.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- de.wikipedia.org — retrieved 2026-10-30
- en.wikipedia.org — retrieved 2026-10-30
- elandcables.com — retrieved 2026-10-30
- en.wikipedia.org — retrieved 2026-10-30
- omao.noaa.gov — retrieved 2026-10-30
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