16 AWG to mm² – Wire Size & Diameter
16 AWG = 1.309 mm²
16 AWG solid wire has a cross-section of 1.309 mm² and a diameter of 1.291 mm (0.0508 in).
Step by step
- Diameter: d = 0.127 × 92^((36 − 16)/39) = 1.2908 mm.
- Area: π/4 × d² = 1.3087 mm².
16 AWG is a mid-size gauge for appliance and feeder circuits.
Details
- Area
- 1.309 mm²
- Diameter
- 1.291 mm (0.0508 in)
- Area in kcmil
- 2.58
- Nearest metric size
- 1.5 mm²
- Copper resistance
- 13.173 Ω/km
How it works
The American Wire Gauge system is logarithmic: smaller numbers mean thicker wire, every 6 gauges halve the diameter and every 3 gauges roughly halve the area. Metric wire is specified directly by cross-sectional area in mm², so the sizes never line up exactly. When substituting, choose a conductor with at least the same area, and always follow local electrical codes.
Nearby values
Related conversions
Frequently asked questions
What is 16 AWG in mm²?
1.309 mm².
What is the diameter of 16 AWG wire?
1.291 mm (solid conductor).
What metric wire replaces 16 AWG?
Use the next metric size up with at least 1.31 mm².
Is stranded wire the same size?
Stranded wire of the same gauge has the same copper area but a slightly larger overall diameter.