Convert IEC metric wire sizes (mm²) to the closest American Wire Gauge (AWG) equivalent. Useful when working with European wire specifications in North American installations.
| mm² | ≈ AWG | Diameter (mm) | Amps (Cu) | Max Ω/km (Cu) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mm² | 20 | 0.798 | 3 | 36 |
| 0.75 mm² | 18 | 0.977 | 6 | 24.5 |
| 1.0 mm² | 17 | 1.128 | 10 | 18.1 |
| 1.5 mm² | 15 | 1.382 | 14.5 | 12.1 |
| 2.5 mm² | 13 | 1.784 | 19.5 | 7.41 |
| 4 mm² | 11 | 2.257 | 26 | 4.61 |
| 6 mm² | 9 | 2.764 | 34 | 3.08 |
| 10 mm² | 7 | 3.568 | 46 | 1.83 |
| 16 mm² | 5 | 4.514 | 61 | 1.15 |
| 25 mm² | 3 | 5.642 | 80 | 0.727 |
| 35 mm² | 2 | 6.676 | 99 | 0.524 |
| 50 mm² | 1/0 | 7.979 | 119 | 0.387 |
| 70 mm² | 2/0 | 9.441 | 151 | 0.268 |
| 95 mm² | 3/0 | 10.998 | 182 | 0.193 |
| 120 mm² | 250 kcmil | 12.361 | 210 | 0.153 |
| 150 mm² | 300 kcmil | 13.82 | 240 | 0.124 |
| 185 mm² | 350 kcmil | 15.348 | 273 | 0.0991 |
| 240 mm² | 500 kcmil | 17.481 | 321 | 0.0754 |
| 300 mm² | 600 kcmil | 19.544 | 367 | 0.0601 |
Note: AWG and IEC metric sizes are independent systems — there are no exact equivalents. The AWG values shown are the closest match by cross-sectional area. A 2.5 mm² metric wire (closest to 13 AWG) has a slightly different area than the exact AWG equivalent. Always verify the actual specifications when substituting between systems. Amps are IEC 60364-5-52 method A1 (0.5–1.0 mm²: BS 7671 flexible cord); resistance is the IEC 60228 class 2 maximum at 20°C.
1.5 mm² wire is closest to 15 AWG (not a standard US size). The nearest standard AWG sizes are 14 AWG (2.08 mm², slightly larger) or 16 AWG (1.31 mm², smaller). When substituting, use 14 AWG copper as the safe choice since it has more capacity.
2.5 mm² is closest to 13 AWG (not a standard US size). The nearest standard AWG sizes are 12 AWG (3.31 mm², larger) or 14 AWG (2.08 mm², smaller). 2.5 mm² is the standard size for 20A circuits in European/IEC wiring — use 12 AWG as the US equivalent.
Use the formula: AWG = -39 × log(diameter/0.127) / log(92) + 36, where diameter = 2 × √(area/π). For example, 6 mm² has a diameter of 2.764 mm, giving AWG = 36 − 39 × log(2.764/0.127)/log(92) ≈ 9 AWG. Use the lookup table for quick conversions.