Section conversion
Description
A tool for converting between AWG, mm², kcmil, mm, and inches, commonly used in electrical engineering and wiring design.
This calculator converts wire sizes between different units. Input any one value, and all others are automatically calculated. Ideal for cable selection, electrical installations, and power system design.
Supported Units & Relationships
| Unit | Full Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| AWG | American Wire Gauge | A logarithmic standardized system; higher numbers indicate thinner wires. Widely used in North America. |
| mm² | Square millimeters | International unit for cross-sectional area of wire. |
| kcmil / MCM | Kilo-circular mil | 1 kcmil = 1000 circular mils; used for large cables like transformer leads. |
| mm | Millimeter | Diameter in millimeters, useful for measurement. |
| in | Inch | Diameter in inches, primarily used in North America. |
Key Conversion Formulas
AWG → mm²:
d_mm = 0.127 × 92^((36 - AWG)/39)
A = π/4 × d_mm²
kcmil → mm²:
mm² = kcmil × 0.5067
mm → in:
in = mm / 25.4
d_mm = 0.127 × 92^((36 - AWG)/39)
A = π/4 × d_mm²
kcmil → mm²:
mm² = kcmil × 0.5067
mm → in:
in = mm / 25.4
Example Calculations
Example 1:
AWG 12 → mm²
Diameter ≈ 2.053 mm → Area ≈ 3.31 mm²
Example 2:
6 mm² → AWG ≈ 10
Example 3:
500 kcmil → mm² ≈ 253.35 mm²
Example 4:
5 mm = 0.1969 in
Example 5:
AWG 4 → kcmil ≈ 417.4 kcmil
AWG 12 → mm²
Diameter ≈ 2.053 mm → Area ≈ 3.31 mm²
Example 2:
6 mm² → AWG ≈ 10
Example 3:
500 kcmil → mm² ≈ 253.35 mm²
Example 4:
5 mm = 0.1969 in
Example 5:
AWG 4 → kcmil ≈ 417.4 kcmil
Use Cases
- Wire and cable selection and procurement
- Electrical installation and wiring design
- Power system capacity calculation
- Industrial equipment wiring standards
- Electrical exams and teaching
- DIY electronics and PCB design
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