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Sheet Metal Gauge Chart When working with sheet metal, you often hear the term “gauge.” For those not familiar with…
When working with sheet metal, you often hear the term “gauge.” For those not familiar with this system, it can be unclear what a specific gauge, like 18 gauge steel, actually means. In this blog, we’ll explain the gauge system and include a helpful sheet metal gauge chart to make it easier to understand.
The gauge system is a way to measure and categorize the thickness of sheet metal. In this system, a higher gauge number means a thinner sheet of metal. For example, 18 gauge steel is thicker than 22 gauge steel. This system helps standardize thickness measurements, making it easier to choose the right metal for your project.
Gauges specify the thickness of sheet metal but are neither standard nor metric measurements. Instead, a gauge conversion chart is used to determine the actual thickness in inches or millimeters. For instance, 18 gauge steel is 0.0478 inches or 1.214 millimeters thick according to a gauge chart. The number “18” itself does not directly relate to these measurements.
There are various gauge systems for different metals. For example, 18 gauge steel has a thickness of 0.0478 inches, while 18 gauge aluminum measures 0.0403 inches thick. Due to these differences, always refer to a gauge chart to ensure the metal’s thickness meets the required specifications.
The gauge system has a long history in metal fabrication, originating from the British wire industry before standard and metric systems were common. Initially, it described the diameter of metal wires. Over time, it has become a widely used method for indicating the thickness of both wire and sheet metal. This system remains popular due to its historical significance and practicality in the metal fabrication industry.
Mild Steel Gauge Chart | ||
Gauge Number | Inches | MM |
7 | .1793 | 4.554 |
8 | .1644 | 4.175 |
9 | .1495 | 3.797 |
10 | .1345 | 3.416 |
11 | .1196 | 3.038 |
12 | .1046 | 2.656 |
14 | .0747 | 1.897 |
16 | .0598 | 1.518 |
18 | .0478 | 1.214 |
20 | .0359 | .911 |
22 | .0299 | .759 |
24 | .0239 | .607 |
26 | .0179 | .454 |
28 | .0149 | .378 |
Aluminum Gauge Chart* | ||
Gauge Number | Inches | MM |
7 | .1443 | 3.665 |
8 | .1285 | 3.264 |
9 | .1144 | 2.906 |
10 | .1019 | 2.588 |
11 | .09074 | 2.305 |
12 | .08081 | 2.053 |
14 | .06408 | 1.628 |
16 | .05082 | 1.291 |
18 | .04030 | 1.024 |
20 | .03196 | .812 |
22 | .02535 | .644 |
24 | .02010 | .511 |
26 | .01594 | .405 |
28 | .01264 | .321 |
30 | .01003 | .255 |
Stainless Steel Gauge Chart* | ||
Gauge Number | Inches | MM |
8 | .17187 | 4.365 |
9 | .15625 | 3.968 |
10 | .14062 | 3.571 |
11 | .125 | 3.175 |
12 | .10937 | 2.778 |
14 | .07812 | 1.984 |
16 | .0625 | 1.587 |
18 | .050 | 1.270 |
20 | .0375 | .9525 |
22 | .03125 | .7937 |
24 | .025 | .635 |
26 | .01875 | .476 |
28 | .01562 | .396 |
30 | .0125 | .3175 |
Galvanized Steel Gauge Chart* | ||
Gauge Number | Inches | MM |
8 | .1681 | 4.269 |
9 | .1532 | 3.891 |
10 | .1382 | 3.510 |
11 | .1233 | 3.1318 |
12 | .1084 | 2.753 |
14 | .0785 | 1.9939 |
16 | .0635 | 1.6129 |
18 | .0516 | 1.310 |
20 | .0396 | 1.005 |
22 | .0336 | .853 |
24 | .0276 | .701 |
26 | .0217 | .551 |
28 | .0187 | .474 |
30 | .0157 | .398 |
Brass Gauge Chart* | ||
Gauge Number | Inches | MM |
7 | .1443 | 3.665 |
8 | .1285 | 3.264 |
9 | .1144 | 2.906 |
10 | .1019 | 2.588 |
11 | .09074 | 2.305 |
12 | .08081 | 2.053 |
14 | .06408 | 1.628 |
16 | .05082 | 1.291 |
18 | .04030 | 1.024 |
20 | .03196 | .812 |
22 | .02535 | .644 |
24 | .02010 | .511 |
26 | .01594 | .405 |
28 | .01264 | .321 |
30 | .01003 | .255 |
Copper Gauge Chart* | ||
Gauge Number | Inches | MM |
7 | .180 | 4.572 |
8 | .165 | 4.191 |
9 | .148 | 3.759 |
10 | .134 | 3.404 |
11 | .120 | 3.048 |
12 | .109 | 2.769 |
14 | .083 | 2.108 |
16 | .065 | 1.651 |
18 | .049 | 1.245 |
20 | .035 | .889 |
22 | .028 | .711 |
24 | .022 | .559 |
26 | .018 | .457 |
28 | .014 | .356 |
30 | .012 | .305 |
The gauge system has a long history in the metal fabrication industry, starting in the British wire industry to measure wire diameter. Over time, it evolved to include sheet metal thickness.
Today, the gauge system remains widely used alongside standard and metric measurements. It offers a simple and accepted way to indicate sheet metal thickness, ensuring clear communication within the industry.
Although gauge values don’t directly match standard or metric measurements, conversion charts help determine the actual thickness in inches or millimeters. This ensures precise and consistent measurements across different gauges.
The gauge system’s historical roots, broad acceptance, and practical application make it a valuable tool in metal fabrication. It aids professionals in manufacturing, construction, and metalworking, enabling clear communication and accurate measurements for successful projects.
Contrary to intuitive logic, a higher gauge number corresponds to thinner metal, while a lower gauge number indicates thicker metal. For instance, 18-gauge steel is thicker than 20-gauge steel.
The gauge number determines the thickness of sheet metal in inches or millimeters. The higher the number, the thinner the sheet metal. For example, 10-gauges are thicker than 20-gauges.
14 gauge metal is thicker than 16 gauge metal. 14 gauge measures 0.083 inches thick, whereas 16 gauge is 0.065 inches thick, making 14 gauge nearly 30% thicker.
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