0.5 mm² metric wire specifications (IEC 60228): 0.798 mm diameter, 3A ampacity (copper), closest AWG equivalent is 20. Resistance, weight, and common uses.
| Cross-sectional area | 0.5 mm² |
| Diameter | 0.798 mm |
| Closest AWG equivalent | 20 AWG |
| Ampacity (copper) | 3 A |
| Ampacity (aluminum) | — A |
| Resistance (copper, 20°C) | 34.48 Ω/km |
| Resistance (aluminum, 20°C) | 53.0 Ω/km |
| Weight (copper) | 4.48 kg/km |
| Weight (aluminum) | 1.35 kg/km |
The IEC 60228 metric system specifies wire by cross-sectional area in mm², while AWG uses a gauge number system. The closest AWG equivalent to 0.5 mm² is 20 AWG, but they are not exactly the same size.
Metric sizes are standard in Europe, Asia, Australia, and most countries outside North America. When replacing or matching wire between systems, always verify the actual cross-sectional area rather than relying on approximate equivalents.