Wire Gauge Chart
Convert wire gauge to decimal inches and millimeters for 6 through 27 gauge. These are the diameters we use every day for woven and welded wire mesh, cut to size and shipped nationwide from Hayward, California since 1938.
"Gauge" is shorthand for wire diameter, but the number by itself doesn't tell you a thickness until you match it to a gauge system. The chart below uses the Steel Wire Gauge — also called the Washburn & Moen gauge — which is the standard for wire mesh, welded wire, and drawn steel wire. The single rule worth memorizing: lower gauge = thicker wire. A 12-gauge wire is heavy; a 27-gauge wire is fine.
Gauge to Inches & Millimeters
| Gauge | Diameter (inches) | Diameter (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 0.192" | 4.88 mm |
| 7 | 0.177" | 4.5 mm |
| 8 | 0.162" | 4.11 mm |
| 9 | 0.1483" | 3.77 mm |
| 10 | 0.135" | 3.43 mm |
| 11 | 0.1205" | 3.06 mm |
| 12 | 0.1055" | 2.68 mm |
| 12.5 | 0.099" | 2.51 mm |
| 13 | 0.0915" | 2.32 mm |
| 14 | 0.08" | 2.03 mm |
| 15 | 0.072" | 1.83 mm |
| 16 | 0.0625" | 1.59 mm |
| 17 | 0.054" | 1.37 mm |
| 18 | 0.0475" | 1.21 mm |
| 19 | 0.041" | 1.04 mm |
| 20 | 0.0348" | 0.88 mm |
| 21 | 0.0317" | 0.81 mm |
| 22 | 0.0286" | 0.73 mm |
| 23 | 0.0258" | 0.66 mm |
| 24 | 0.023" | 0.58 mm |
| 25 | 0.0204" | 0.52 mm |
| 26 | 0.0181" | 0.46 mm |
| 27 | 0.0173" | 0.44 mm |
Highlighted rows (12, 14, 16, 19) are among the most-requested gauges for wire mesh and welded wire. Diameters are nominal Steel Wire Gauge values.
Common Gauges at a Glance
12 Gauge — 0.1055"
A heavy, structural wire. Common in welded wire mesh for guarding, enclosures, and animal/security applications where strength matters.
14 Gauge — 0.080"
The workhorse. Widely used across welded wire mesh and hardware cloth for a strong panel that still handles and cuts easily.
16 Gauge — 0.0625"
A versatile mid-weight, right at 1/16". Popular in welded and woven mesh for screens, cages, and general fabrication.
19 Gauge — 0.041"
A finer wire seen in hardware cloth and tighter woven meshes where a smaller opening and lighter panel are the goal.
Steel Wire Gauge vs. AWG vs. Sheet Metal
The same gauge number means different things in different systems, so it pays to know which one you're reading:
Steel Wire Gauge
Washburn & Moen. The system in the chart above — used for wire mesh, welded wire, and drawn steel wire. This is what we quote from.
AWG (Electrical)
American Wire Gauge measures copper and aluminum electrical conductors. The diameters do not match Steel Wire Gauge — don't cross-reference the two.
Sheet Metal Gauge
Applies to flat sheet and plate, and varies by base metal (steel vs. aluminum vs. stainless). It's a separate scale from wire entirely.
For mesh, what usually matters alongside gauge is the opening size — how much passes through. If you're sizing by opening rather than wire diameter, our mesh-to-micron conversion chart translates mesh count and opening into microns and inches.
Need a Specific Gauge?
We stock a wide range and cut everything to size. Tell us the gauge and material.
Browse by product: welded wire mesh, woven wire mesh, or wire stock. Need a specific alloy? You can filter to a material such as 316 stainless woven mesh. We carry stainless (304/304L/316/316L), aluminum, brass, copper, bronze, monel, nickel, galvanized, plain steel, and more.
Wire Gauge FAQ
What is wire gauge?
Wire gauge is a number that stands in for a wire's diameter. Instead of stating a decimal thickness, the trade uses a gauge number tied to a standard chart. For wire mesh and welded wire, that chart is the Steel Wire Gauge (Washburn & Moen), shown above with the inch and millimeter equivalents.
Is wire gauge the same as AWG?
No. AWG (American Wire Gauge) is used for electrical conductors like copper and aluminum wire, and its diameters differ from the Steel Wire Gauge used for mesh and welded wire. The gauge numbers are not interchangeable — a "16 gauge" in AWG is not the same diameter as 16 gauge on this chart.
Is a lower or higher gauge thicker?
Lower is thicker. A 6-gauge wire (0.192") is much heavier than a 27-gauge wire (0.0173"). As the gauge number climbs, the wire gets finer.
Do you stock a given gauge?
We carry a broad range of gauges across woven wire, welded wire, hardware cloth, and wire stock, in many materials — but availability depends on the mesh, alloy, and opening you need. The fastest way to confirm is to request a quote or call us at (510) 887-8787 with the gauge and material in mind.
Does gauge tell me the opening size?
Not on its own. Gauge is the wire diameter; the opening depends on how many wires per inch (mesh count) sit alongside it. To size by opening, pair this chart with our mesh-to-micron conversion chart.