15 AWG (American Wire Gauge) wire specifications: 1.4495 mm diameter, 1.6502 mm² area. Resistance, weight, and common uses.
| Diameter | 1.4495 mm · 0.057068" · 57.07 mils |
| Cross-sectional area | 1.6502 mm² · 3,257 circular mils |
| Resistance (copper, 20°C) | 10.447 Ω/km · 3.1842 Ω/1000ft |
| Resistance (aluminum, 20°C) | 17.1263 Ω/km · 5.2201 Ω/1000ft |
| Ampacity — copper 60°C | — A |
| Ampacity — copper 75°C | — A |
| Ampacity — copper 90°C | — A |
| Ampacity — aluminum 75°C | — A |
| Weight (copper) | 14.786 kg/km · 9.936 lbs/1000ft |
| Weight (aluminum) | 4.456 kg/km · 2.994 lbs/1000ft |
| Closest IEC 60228 size | 1.5 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 |
15 AWG copper (1.450 mm diameter, 1.65 mm²) is too small for NEC-compliant branch circuits, which require 14 AWG minimum. It is found in some bell wire, thermostat cable, and low-voltage control wiring for HVAC systems. It is also used in certain automotive primary wire applications.
NEC Table 310.16 does not include 15 AWG because it is below the 14 AWG minimum for branch-circuit wiring. With a 1.6502 mm² cross-section, its current capacity is roughly 10–12 A in free air, but this value is not NEC-recognized. It is only suitable for low-voltage, low-power circuits such as Class 2 control wiring (NEC Article 725).