WireSizing
Wire gauge reference & calculator

16 AWG Wire

16 AWG wire specifications: 1.2908 mm diameter, 1.3087 mm² area, 10A ampacity (copper, 75°C). Resistance, weight, and common uses.

Diameter
1.2908 mm
0.050821"
Area
1.3087 mm²
2,583 cmil
Ampacity (Cu)
10A
75°C insulation
Resistance (Cu)
13.1734
Ω/km at 20°C

16 AWG — Complete Specifications

Diameter1.2908 mm · 0.050821" · 50.82 mils
Cross-sectional area1.3087 mm² · 2,583 circular mils
Resistance (copper, 20°C)13.1734 Ω/km · 4.0153 Ω/1000ft
Resistance (aluminum, 20°C)20.2492 Ω/km · 6.1719 Ω/1000ft
Ampacity — copper 60°C— A
Ampacity — copper 75°C10 A
Ampacity — copper 90°C18 A
Ampacity — aluminum 75°C— A
Weight (copper)11.726 kg/km · 7.879 lbs/1000ft
Weight (aluminum)3.533 kg/km · 2.374 lbs/1000ft
Closest metric size1.3 mm²
Skin depth at 60 Hz8.531 mm

Common Uses for 16 AWG Wire

Compatible Insulation Types

TypeTemperatureDescription
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

Explore

Full AWG chart → Wire size calculator → AWG to mm² converter → Ampacity tables → Wire materials →
← 15 AWG 17 AWG →