What wire size do I need for 200 amps?

For a 200-amp circuit, use 4/0 AWG copper wire (230 A per NEC Table 310.16 at 75°C). For aluminum the answer depends on the application: 4/0 AWG aluminum is permitted for a one-family dwelling service or main power feeder under NEC 310.12, but a sub-panel or commercial feeder needs 250 kcmil aluminum, because 4/0 aluminum is only rated 180 A in Table 310.16.

What breaker do I need for 200 amps?

A 200-amp circuit uses a 200A double-pole circuit breaker. The breaker protects the 4/0 AWG copper (or aluminum sized per NEC 310.12 or Table 310.16, depending on the application) wire from overload. Double-pole breakers are used for 240V circuits and occupy two slots in the panel.

What size wire for a 200-amp service entrance?

A 200-amp service entrance requires 4/0 AWG (four-aught) copper wire or 4/0 AWG aluminum wire. Aluminum is standard for 200A service entrance conductors because of significant cost savings. 4/0 aluminum is rated 180 A in Table 310.16, below the 200 A service rating — it qualifies here only because NEC 310.12 lets a dwelling service conductor be sized at 83% of the service rating (200 A × 0.83 = 166 A). A 200-amp sub-panel feeder does not get that allowance and needs 250 kcmil aluminum. The conductors connect the utility meter to the main breaker panel.

Can a 200-amp panel handle an EV charger, electric range, and electric dryer?

Yes — a 200-amp panel easily handles these loads simultaneously. A 48A EV charger needs a 60A breaker (12% of panel), a range uses a 50A breaker (25%), and a dryer uses a 30A breaker (15%). Total demand rarely exceeds 120–140A at any moment due to load diversity, leaving ample headroom.

What Wire Size for 200 Amps?

Copper Wire

4/0 AWG

11.684 mm · 107.2193 mm²

Aluminum Wire

4/0 AWG*

11.684 mm · 107.2193 mm²

*Dwelling services/feeders only — see NEC 310.12 below

Breaker: 200A · Copper per NEC Table 310.16 (75°C insulation) · Aluminum per NEC 310.12

Why 4/0 aluminum works here but not everywhere

This is the most misquoted number in residential wire sizing. In NEC Table 310.16, 4/0 AWG aluminum is rated 180 A at 75°C — not enough for a 200-amp circuit. 4/0 aluminum is nevertheless the standard 200-amp residential service conductor, and both facts are correct, because two different rules apply:

Application	Governing rule	Aluminum for 200 A
Dwelling service entrance, or the feeder carrying the entire dwelling load	NEC 310.12 (the “83% rule”)	4/0 AWG
Everything else — sub-panel feeders, commercial feeders, branch circuits	NEC Table 310.16	250 kcmil

NEC 310.12 permits service and main-power feeder conductors for a one-family dwelling to be sized at 83% of the service rating: 200 A × 0.83 = 166 A, and 4/0 aluminum’s 180 A rating covers that. The allowance exists because a dwelling never draws its full service rating continuously. It applies only to the conductors carrying the entire dwelling load.

For a 200-amp sub-panel feeder to a garage or shop, a commercial feeder, or any circuit that is not the dwelling’s main power feeder, 310.12 does not apply and you need 250 kcmil aluminum (205 A at 75°C). Copper is 4/0 AWG (230 A) in either case.

Common Uses for 200A Circuits

Residential service entrance, commercial feeders

4/0 AWG Copper — Key Specs

Diameter	11.684 mm (0.46")
Area	107.2193 mm²
Resistance at 20°C	0.1608 Ω/km
Weight	960.685 kg/km
Ampacity (75°C)	230 A

Important: For long wire runs, you may need to upsize the wire to compensate for voltage drop. NEC recommends keeping voltage drop under 3% for branch circuits. Use our voltage drop calculator to check.

Voltage Drop by Distance — 4/0 AWG Copper at 200A

One-way run	Drop	% of 240V	Verdict
25 ft	0.49 V	0.2%	Within the 3% branch-circuit target
50 ft	0.98 V	0.4%	Within the 3% branch-circuit target
75 ft	1.47 V	0.6%	Within the 3% branch-circuit target
100 ft	1.96 V	0.8%	Within the 3% branch-circuit target
150 ft	2.94 V	1.2%	Within the 3% branch-circuit target
200 ft	3.92 V	1.6%	Within the 3% branch-circuit target

Single-phase, 240V, full 200A load, 0.049 Ω/1000 ft DC resistance (NEC Chapter 9, Table 8) at 75°C terminations. NEC 210.19(A) Informational Note recommends keeping branch-circuit drop at or below 3%, and 5% total across feeder plus branch circuit. Voltage drop is a performance recommendation, not a code requirement — but exceeding it causes dim lights, slow motor starts, and wasted energy.

Aluminum Feeder Specifications

Sizing for a 200-amp aluminum feeder depends on the application — see the NEC 310.12 explanation above. A dwelling service or main power feeder uses 4/0 AWG; any other 200-amp feeder needs 250 kcmil (205 A at 75°C).

Dwelling service / main power feeder	4/0 AWG aluminum — NEC 310.12
Sub-panel or commercial feeder	250 kcmil aluminum — NEC Table 310.16
4/0 aluminum ampacity (75°C)	180 A
250 kcmil aluminum ampacity (75°C)	205 A
4/0 aluminum resistance	0.0753 Ω/1000 ft

Installing aluminum correctly

Modern aluminum building wire must be AA-8000 series alloy (NEC 310.14(A)(1)). The 1960s-era AA-1350 alloy behind aluminum’s bad reputation is no longer permitted for branch circuits.
Terminate only on lugs and breakers marked AL/CU or AL9CU. Copper-only terminals are the most common failure point.
Apply an antioxidant compound to the stripped conductor before landing it, unless the termination is listed as not requiring it.
Torque every connection to the manufacturer’s value with a calibrated torque tool — NEC 110.14(D) makes this mandatory. Loose aluminum terminations are the primary cause of feeder failures.
Aluminum runs roughly half the weight and a third to half the cost of copper at feeder sizes, which is why it dominates service entrance and sub-panel feeders.

Wire types and insulation ratings → 200 amp breaker — wire, ground and load → NEC Table 250.122 — ground wire size → 4/0 AWG full specifications → Full AWG chart → Wire size calculator → Ampacity tables →