How to Convert an SQ MM Wire Size to an AWG Wire Gauge

Electrical wires are measured by their cross-sectional areas or AWG.

The size of electrical wires is important because larger wires are able to carry more current than thinner wires without losing as much charge. In the United States, wire sizes are measured by AWG, or American wire gauge. Elsewhere, wire sizes are measured by the cross-sectional area as measured in square millimeters. The larger the cross-sectional area, the smaller the American wire gauge.

Things You'll Need

• Conversion chart

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Instructions

1. Determine the cross-sectional area that you want to convert to AWG wire gauge size by checking the wiring information.

2. Use a wire conversion chart (see resources) to convert from square millimeters. For example, if you had a wire with a cross-sectional size of 6.63 square millimeters, the AWG wire gauge would be nine.

3. Select the next higher gauge if the wire's cross sectional area does not match the exact measurements of the AWG measurement. For example, if your wire had a cross sectional area of five square millimeters, you would select a 10 AWG rating.

References

• Global Electron: Wire Sizes

Resources

• Engineers Toolbox: AWG to Square MM Wire Gauge Conversion