Wire Gauge

Convenient Wire Size Conversion Table

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Wire gauge is commonly referred to as "wire size", "wire diameter" and is even at times spelt as "wire gage". There is a helpful Wire Size Conversion table below. However the wire conversions (wherever you find it), will be at best, only a good approximation because there is no global, consistent standard for these wire size conversions.

Wire gage applies equally to beading wire, tigertail, as well as jewelry wire (metal wire).

Wire gauges can be especially confusing to beginners because it is perversely counter-intuitive. While there is no global standard, one rule holds true:

An Explanation on Wire Gauges

There are a few main Gauge Rating systems:

• AWG (American Wire Gauge) - (aka BS or "Brown & Sharpe")
  - for precious metals (copper, gold, silver, etc.)
• SWG ([Imperial or British] Standard Wire Gauge)
  - use mainly for measuring industrial metals (steel, aluminum, brass, etc.)
• US Steel Wire (aka W&M [Washbum & Moen] or Roebling Gauge)
  - for measuring steel
• Birmingham Gague (aka Stubs Iron Gauge
  - for measuring iron

For our purposes, and the two most well known rating systems are AWG and SWG. Hence our conversion table will take these 2 rating systems into account.

Example
For example, if you are buying a wire which you are told to be 20 ga (gauge), you can see from the wire conversion table below that:
20 awg = 0.813 mm but
20 swg = 0.914 mm

Same gauge number but not the same size at all! Most of the time, this slight differential might not be very important to your project but it is something to keep in mind if you require high precision for your wire sizing.

Jewelry Wire Gauge Conversion Table

Converting Gauge to Millimeter/Inches

Wire Gauge Tools

There are quite a few useful tools you can get to easily help determiine the size (diameter) of your wires. They come in a number of materials from plastic to steel. They may also measure both wire diameters and thicknss of metal sheets - which would be extra handy.

Things to keep in mind when shopping for a wire gauge measurement tool:

• Range - what sizes/diameters of wire will it measure
• System - what system is it based on? AWG and/or SWG
• Unit or measurement (UOM) - if it provides unit of measurement (as well as gauge), is it in millimeters or inches or (preferably) both

What Wire Size Should I Use?

The size of the wire you choose will have a dramatic impact on the final look of your output. This aspect (how it looks in the end) is truly a subjective matter and highly dependent on the creativity and vision of the artist. However, it is still very useful to have some idea as to what the different wire sizes are generally suitable or not suitable for.

Sample	Wire Gauge	Comments and Uses (from thick to thin)
	14-16	Very thick, heavy wire. Need heavy duty, strong tools. Uses: stand-up forms, unsupported shapes, napkin rings, bracelet bases, strong neck wires
	18 (aka Stem Wire)	Fairly thick wire. Can use regular jewelry tools. Can be bent with hands but will require looping pliers to form loops and proper angles. Uses: in wire work, generally to form stems to which flowers, leaves, petals are attached.
	20 gauge	Medium thick wire. A good general purpose wire. Can use regular jewelry tools. Uses: ear wires, headpins, small wire clasps. For beaded flowers, leaves, and petals in wire craftwork.
	22 gauge	Medium wire. Good substitute when 20ga is just too thick. Can use regular jewelry tools. Uses: Wire wrapping large-holed beads like glass, bone and wood. For beaded flowers, leaves, and petals in wire craftwork. In form craftwork, if using steel wire, the thinner 24 or 26 gauge steel wires might be better as the thicker 22ga steel might be too stiff on the fingers. If using precious metal wires or soft wire, then 22 or 24 gauge wire would be better than the thinner 26 ga. Note: will fit most crystal and stone beads and seed beads size 10 and 11 comfortably. Could also fit pearl.
	24 gauge	Medium Thin Wire. Can use regular jewelry tools. Has tendency to kink so use wire straightening pliers. Uses: wire wrap most beads (not fine gemstones, small briolettes, fragile beads). Note: will fit pearls and seed beads size 10 and 11 comfortably.
	26 gauge	Thin Wire Use tools with fine tips. Use straightening pliers as this wire tends to kink. In wire wrapping, loops must be wrapped closed for it to maintain a loop shape. Uses: Wire wrap beads to tiaras. Use with small gemstones, briolettes. Use in any project where 24ga is a little too heavy. Note: will fit pearl and seed beads size 10 and 11 comfortably.
	28-30 gauge	Very Fine Wire Use tools with very fine tips. Use straightening pliers as this wire tends to kink. Uses: wire weaving, crocheting, knitting, wrapping with small beads, wire-wrapping very small, fine gemstones
	32 gauge (aka Lacing Wire)	Very Very Fine Wire Only about as thick as standard sewing threads, with about the same strength. Must be kept as straight as possible at all times because it breaks easily when kinked. Though so fine, use wire cutter as it can still ruin scissor blades. Uses: lacing together rows of bead (e.g. in making beaded leaves or flowers)

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