What wire size do I need for 50 amps?

For a 50-amp circuit, use 6 AWG copper wire or 4 AWG aluminum wire. This is per NEC Table 310.16 at 75°C insulation temperature. Common uses: electric ranges, hot tubs, Level 2 EV chargers, and sub-panels.

What breaker do I need for 50 amps?

A 50-amp circuit uses a 50A double-pole circuit breaker. The breaker protects the 6 AWG copper (or 4 AWG aluminum) wire from overload. Double-pole breakers are used for 240V circuits and occupy two slots in the panel.

What wire size for a hot tub on a 50-amp circuit?

A 50-amp hot tub circuit requires 6 AWG copper or 4 AWG aluminum wire on a 50A GFCI double-pole breaker. NEC 680.44 requires GFCI protection for hot tub feeders. The disconnect must be within sight of the spa, 5–50 feet away.

What wire size for a Level 2 EV charger?

Most Level 2 EV chargers (48A max) are wired as continuous loads, requiring a circuit rated at 125% of the charger current. A 48A charger needs a 60A circuit (4 AWG copper), while a 40A charger uses a 50A circuit (6 AWG copper).

What Wire Size for 50 Amps?

Copper Wire

6 AWG

4.1154 mm · 13.3018 mm²

Aluminum Wire

4 AWG

5.1894 mm · 21.1506 mm²

Breaker: 50A · Based on NEC Table 310.16 (75°C insulation)

Common Uses for 50A Circuits

Ranges, hot tubs, EV chargers, sub-panels

6 AWG Copper — Key Specs

Diameter	4.1154 mm (0.162023")
Area	13.3018 mm²
Resistance at 20°C	1.2961 Ω/km
Weight	119.184 kg/km
Ampacity (75°C)	65 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 — 6 AWG Copper at 50A

One-way run	Drop	% of 240V	Verdict
25 ft	0.99 V	0.4%	Within the 3% branch-circuit target
50 ft	1.98 V	0.8%	Within the 3% branch-circuit target
75 ft	2.96 V	1.2%	Within the 3% branch-circuit target
100 ft	3.95 V	1.6%	Within the 3% branch-circuit target
150 ft	5.92 V	2.5%	Within the 3% branch-circuit target
200 ft	7.90 V	3.3%	Over 3% — upsize one gauge

Single-phase, 240V, full 50A load, 0.395 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.

Related Appliance Guides

Electric Range / Stove

50A double-pole · 6 AWG

Hot Tub / Spa

50A double-pole GFCI · 6 AWG

EV Charger (Level 2)

50A double-pole · 6 AWG

Welder

50A double-pole · 6 AWG

Garage Sub-Panel

60A double-pole · 6 AWG

Wire types and insulation ratings → 50 amp breaker — wire, ground and load → NEC Table 250.122 — ground wire size → 6 AWG full specifications → Full AWG chart → Wire size calculator → Ampacity tables →