14 AWG (American Wire Gauge) wire specifications: 1.6277 mm diameter, 2.0809 mm² area, 20A ampacity (copper, 75°C), protected at 15A max per NEC 240.4(D). Resistance, weight, and common uses.
| Diameter | 1.6277 mm · 0.064084" · 64.08 mils |
| Cross-sectional area | 2.0809 mm² · 4,107 circular mils |
| Resistance (copper, 20°C) | 8.2848 Ω/km · 2.5252 Ω/1000ft |
| Resistance (aluminum, 20°C) | 13.5817 Ω/km · 4.1397 Ω/1000ft |
| Ampacity — copper 60°C | 15 A |
| Ampacity — copper 75°C | 20 A |
| Ampacity — copper 90°C | 25 A |
| Ampacity — aluminum 75°C | — A |
| Weight (copper) | 18.645 kg/km · 12.529 lbs/1000ft |
| Weight (aluminum) | 5.618 kg/km · 3.775 lbs/1000ft |
| Closest IEC 60228 size | 2.5 mm² |
| Skin depth at 60 Hz | 8.531 mm |
| Type | Temperature | Description |
|---|---|---|
| THHN/THWN-2 | 90°C dry / 75°C wet | Building wire |
| NM-B (Romex) | 90°C | Residential cable |
| MTW | 60/90°C | Machine tool wire |
| TFFN | 90°C | Fixture wire |
14 AWG copper is commonly used for 15A lighting circuits and general bedroom and living-room outlets. NEC Table 310.16 rates it 20A at 75°C, but NEC 240.4(D) limits the breaker or fuse protecting it to 15A, which is why it is the standard wire for 15A circuits. It measures 1.628 mm in diameter with a 2.08 mm² cross-section.
Per NEC Table 310.16 (30°C ambient, no more than three current-carrying conductors), 14 AWG copper is rated 15A at 60°C, 20A at 75°C and 25A at 90°C. Regardless of those ratings, NEC 240.4(D) caps overcurrent protection at 15A for copper. On circuits of 100A or less, NEC 110.14(C) generally requires the 60°C column unless every termination is rated 75°C.
No. NEC Table 310.16 does not list 14 AWG aluminum; the smallest aluminum size is 12 AWG. For a 15A circuit, use 14 AWG copper or 12 AWG aluminum with devices rated CO/ALR or AL/CU.