Sheet metal gauge chart
Gauge is a number for sheet thickness, and the same number means a different thickness in each metal. 16 gauge is 0.0598 inches (1.52 mm) in carbon steel, 0.0625 inches (1.59 mm) in stainless, 0.0635 inches (1.61 mm) in galvanized and 0.0508 inches (1.29 mm) in aluminum. The lower the number, the thicker the sheet.
How thick is each gauge?
| Gauge | Carbon steel | Galvanized steel | Stainless steel | Aluminum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 0.1644 in (4.18 mm) | 0.1681 in (4.27 mm) | 0.1719 in (4.37 mm) | 0.1285 in (3.26 mm) |
| 10 | 0.1345 in (3.42 mm) | 0.1382 in (3.51 mm) | 0.1406 in (3.57 mm) | 0.1019 in (2.59 mm) |
| 11 | 0.1196 in (3.04 mm) | 0.1233 in (3.13 mm) | 0.1250 in (3.17 mm) | 0.0907 in (2.30 mm) |
| 12 | 0.1046 in (2.66 mm) | 0.1084 in (2.75 mm) | 0.1094 in (2.78 mm) | 0.0808 in (2.05 mm) |
| 14 | 0.0747 in (1.90 mm) | 0.0785 in (1.99 mm) | 0.0781 in (1.98 mm) | 0.0641 in (1.63 mm) |
| 16 | 0.0598 in (1.52 mm) | 0.0635 in (1.61 mm) | 0.0625 in (1.59 mm) | 0.0508 in (1.29 mm) |
| 18 | 0.0478 in (1.21 mm) | 0.0516 in (1.31 mm) | 0.0500 in (1.27 mm) | 0.0403 in (1.02 mm) |
| 20 | 0.0359 in (0.91 mm) | 0.0396 in (1.01 mm) | 0.0375 in (0.95 mm) | 0.0320 in (0.81 mm) |
| 22 | 0.0299 in (0.76 mm) | 0.0336 in (0.85 mm) | 0.0312 in (0.79 mm) | 0.0253 in (0.64 mm) |
| 24 | 0.0239 in (0.61 mm) | 0.0276 in (0.70 mm) | 0.0250 in (0.64 mm) | 0.0201 in (0.51 mm) |
| 26 | 0.0179 in (0.45 mm) | 0.0217 in (0.55 mm) | 0.0187 in (0.47 mm) | 0.0159 in (0.40 mm) |
| 28 | 0.0149 in (0.38 mm) | 0.0187 in (0.47 mm) | 0.0156 in (0.40 mm) | 0.0126 in (0.32 mm) |
How much does each gauge weigh?
Weight in pounds per square foot, worked out from the thickness above and the density of the metal. A mill's nominal weights can differ slightly, and galvanized sheet carries the extra weight of its zinc coating. Multiply by 4.882 for kilograms per square metre.
| Gauge | Carbon steel | Galvanized steel | Stainless steel | Aluminum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 6.71 | 6.86 | 7.15 | 1.80 |
| 10 | 5.49 | 5.64 | 5.85 | 1.43 |
| 11 | 4.88 | 5.04 | 5.20 | 1.27 |
| 12 | 4.27 | 4.43 | 4.55 | 1.13 |
| 14 | 3.05 | 3.21 | 3.25 | 0.90 |
| 16 | 2.44 | 2.59 | 2.60 | 0.71 |
| 18 | 1.95 | 2.11 | 2.08 | 0.57 |
| 20 | 1.47 | 1.62 | 1.56 | 0.45 |
| 22 | 1.22 | 1.37 | 1.30 | 0.36 |
| 24 | 0.98 | 1.13 | 1.04 | 0.28 |
| 26 | 0.73 | 0.89 | 0.78 | 0.22 |
| 28 | 0.61 | 0.76 | 0.65 | 0.18 |
For the weight of a whole sheet or a cut blank, use the metal weight and cost calculator.
Why does gauge matter when quoting?
The gauge sets the material cost, and it also changes the cutting speed, the bend allowance and the tooling. Reading 16 gauge stainless as carbon steel is a 4.5% error in thickness before the price per pound is even considered. OneThou reads the material and the gauge or thickness from the title block and the notes on the customer's PDF drawing, then prices the blank from the shop's own price list. The sheet metal quoting guide walks through the rest of the quote.
Questions about sheet metal gauge
How thick is 16 gauge steel?
0.0598 inches (1.52 mm) for carbon steel. In stainless steel 16 gauge is 0.0625 inches (1.59 mm), in galvanized steel 0.0635 inches (1.61 mm) and in aluminum 0.0508 inches (1.29 mm).
Is 14 gauge thicker than 16 gauge?
Yes. The lower the gauge number, the thicker the sheet. 14 gauge carbon steel is 0.0747 inches thick and 16 gauge is 0.0598 inches.
Why is the same gauge a different thickness in aluminum?
Because the gauge systems are different. Carbon steel uses the Manufacturers' Standard Gauge, stainless steel follows the older US Standard gauge, and aluminum and other non-ferrous sheet use the Brown & Sharpe series, which is also the American Wire Gauge.
Should a drawing give the gauge or the thickness?
The thickness, as a decimal, along with the material. A gauge number alone is ambiguous because it depends on the metal. When a drawing gives only a gauge, confirm the thickness before you quote.
How much does 16 gauge steel weigh per square foot?
About 2.44 lb, worked out from its thickness of 0.0598 inches. Suppliers often list it at a nominal 2.5 lb per square foot.
See how many blanks a sheet gives with the cut calculator, or read how metal is priced.
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