AWG 16 Wire
Diameter 0.0508″
Millimeters 1.290 mm
Cross-section 2,581 cmil
mm² 1.31
Nominal bare-conductor dimensions per ASTM B258. AWG is geometric: d = 0.005 × 92(36−n)/39 in with n = 16; area is derived from the diameter. Ampacity depends on insulation, bundling, and the electrical code in force — it is a property of the installation, not the gauge.
Neighboring gauges
| AWG | Diameter | mm | vs AWG 16 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 0.0641″ | 1.628 | +0.0133″ |
| 15 | 0.0571″ | 1.450 | +0.0063″ |
| 16 | 0.0508″ | 1.290 | — |
| 17 | 0.0453″ | 1.151 | −0.0055″ |
| 18 | 0.0403″ | 1.024 | −0.0105″ |
Measuring sheet metal, not wire? Sheet uses a different gauge scale — see 16 gauge sheet (steel: 0.0598″).