AWG 32 wire size, resistance and weight calculator
AWG 32 is defined by the gauge formula, not by a table: the diameter is 0.127 mm times 92 raised to the power (36 - n) / 39. Everything else follows from that and the conductor resistivity.
A rough guide: 3 to 5 A/mm2 for chassis wiring, under 2 for long runs in conduit.
- Diameter
- 0.201 938
- Area in circular mils
- 0.063 207 5
- Resistance of that length
- 53.8284 ohm
- Resistance per kilometre
- 538.284 ohm/km
- Resistance per 1000 feet
- 164.069 ohm
- Weight of that length
- 0.028 696 8
- Current at the chosen density
- 0.13 A
- Turns per centimetre, close-wound
- 49.520
Show the working
- Length of wire = 100
- Conductor = 1.724e-8
- Conductor temperature = 20
- Conductor density = 8960
- Design current density = 4
- Diameter = 0.127 * 92^((36 - (32)) / 39) = 0.201 938
- diameter_in = 0.201 938 / 25.4 = 0.007 950 31
- Cross-sectional area = pi * 0.201 938^2 / 4 = 0.032 027 7
- Area in circular mils = 0.007 950 31^2 * 1000 = 0.063 207 5
- r_per_m_20 = 1.724e-8 / (0.032 027 7 * 1e-6) = 0.538 284
- r_per_m = 0.538 284 * (1 + 0.00393 * (20 - 20)) = 0.538 284
- Resistance of that length = 0.538 284 * 100 = 53.8284
- Resistance per kilometre = 0.538 284 * 1000 = 538.284
- Resistance per 1000 feet = 0.538 284 * 304.8 = 164.069
- Weight of that length = 0.032 027 7 * 1e-6 * 100 * 8960 = 0.028 696 8
- Current at the chosen density = 0.032 027 7 * 4 = 0.128 111
- Turns per centimetre, close-wound = 0.201 938 > 0 ? 10 / 0.201 938 : 0 = 49.5202
Values are shown to six significant figures here; the arithmetic itself runs on exact fractions and is only rounded where a number is printed.
Scenarios & local history
Compare a saved scenario
Recent calculations
The formula
- diameter in mm = 0.127 x 92^((36 - n)/39)
- area = pi d^2 / 4
- resistance = rho x length / area
- temperature correction: R(T) = R(20) x (1 + 0.00393 (T - 20)) for copper
The gauge formula is exact: 36 AWG is 0.127 mm and 0000 AWG is 11.684 mm, with 39 steps between them in a geometric progression of ratio 92^(1/39).
The current figure is a design rule of thumb from current density, not an ampacity rating. Real ampacity depends on insulation temperature rating, bundling, ambient temperature and the wiring code in force.
Aluminium conductors of the same gauge carry about 61% of the current of copper for the same heating.
Frequently asked
What is the diameter of AWG 32 wire?
It follows from the gauge definition: 0.127 mm x 92^((36 - n)/39). The calculator shows the result in millimetres and inches.
Why does the wire gauge number go down as the wire gets thicker?
The number counts drawing operations. Each pass through a die makes the wire thinner and adds one to the gauge, so a high number means a thin wire.