Engineers often find steel gauge charts to be a useful reference tool when working with sheet metal or specifying metal thicknesses. While it may not be essential in all engineering disciplines, having a gauge chart can aid in design, fabrication, and material selection processes.here we’ll explain what is sheet metal gauge (thickness), how does it work, and the sheet metal gauge chart for stainless steel, sheet steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, brass, and copper.
What is Sheet Metal Gauge? – Metal Gauge Thickness
The gauge system originated in the United States and has been standardized by organizations such as the American Wire Gauge (AWG) for electrical applications and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for general sheet metal applications.
Sheet metal gauge refers to the standardized measurement system used to determine the thickness of a sheet of metal. It is commonly used in the manufacturing and construction industries. The gauge measurement is expressed as a numerical value, and the higher the gauge number, the thinner the metal sheet.
Metal gauge thickness refers to the standardized measurement of the thickness or diameter of various types of metal sheets or wire. The gauge system is used to provide a common numerical value that represents the thickness of the metal, making it easier to compare and select the appropriate material for a specific application.
It’s important to note that different gauge systems may have slight variations in the exact thickness measurements for the same gauge number. Therefore, it’s recommended to refer to specific material specifications or gauge charts provided by manufacturers or industry standards to ensure accurate measurements for a particular type of metal.Here are a few key points regarding sheet metal gauge:
- Gauge Numbers: Gauge numbers typically range from 0 to 36, although the commonly used range for sheet metal is between 7 and 30. As the gauge number increases, the thickness of the metal decreases. For example, a sheet metal with a gauge of 18 is thicker than a sheet metal with a gauge of 24.
- Corresponding Thickness: Each gauge number corresponds to a specific thickness measurement. However, it is important to note that the gauge system can vary for different materials and regions. For example, a 22-gauge stainless steel sheet may have a different thickness compared to a 22-gauge aluminum sheet.
- Conversion Factors: To determine the actual thickness of a metal sheet in inches or millimeters, conversion factors or reference tables are used. These factors vary based on the material and gauge system being used. It is advisable to consult a gauge conversion chart or a material-specific reference guide for accurate conversions.
- Application Variations: Different industries and applications may have specific requirements for sheet metal thickness. For instance, automotive body panels often use thinner gauges, while heavy-duty construction applications may require thicker gauges for structural stability.
Sheet metal gauge is a standardized system used to measure the thickness of metal sheets. The gauge number inversely correlates with the thickness, with higher numbers indicating thinner sheets. However, it is important to consider variations in gauge systems and consult reference materials for accurate thickness conversions.
How Does Sheet Metal Gauge Work?
Sheet metal gauge works based on a standardized measurement system that correlates the gauge number with the thickness of a metal sheet. Here’s how it works:
- Gauge Number: Each sheet metal gauge is assigned a specific numerical value. The gauge numbers typically range from 0 to 36, although the commonly used range for sheet metal is between 7 and 30. As the gauge number increases, the thickness of the metal decreases. For example, a sheet metal with a gauge of 18 is thicker than a sheet metal with a gauge of 24.
- Gauge Thickness Relationship: The gauge number and thickness of the sheet metal have an inverse relationship. As the gauge number increases, the thickness decreases. This means that a higher gauge number indicates a thinner sheet, and a lower gauge number indicates a thicker sheet.
- Standardized Conversion: To determine the actual thickness of a metal sheet in inches or millimeters, conversion factors or reference tables are used. These factors vary based on the material and gauge system being used. The conversion factors provide a relationship between the gauge number and the corresponding thickness measurement.
- Material Variations: It’s important to note that different materials have different gauge systems and thicknesses for the same gauge number. For example, a 22-gauge stainless steel sheet may have a different thickness compared to a 22-gauge aluminum sheet. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the specific gauge system and material when determining the sheet metal thickness.
- Industry Standards: Organizations such as the American Wire Gauge (AWG) for electrical applications and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for general sheet metal applications have established standards and reference guides to ensure consistency in gauge measurements and thicknesses.
By using the sheet metal gauge system, manufacturers, fabricators, and engineers can communicate and work with standardized thickness measurements, allowing for accurate specifications, consistent manufacturing processes, and appropriate material selection for specific applications.
Steel Metal Gauge Chart for Different Materials
There are different gauge systems used for various types of metal, such as steel, aluminum, brass, and copper. Each gauge system has a corresponding set of gauge numbers, with lower numbers representing thicker metal and higher numbers representing thinner metal.Check out a complete list of metal gauge chart for sheet steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and copper, to fast convert gauge to inches, or gauge to millimeter (mm). The most commonly used gauge thickness chart is the sheet metal gauge for steel.
1) Sheet Steel Gauge Chart
Here is a general sheet steel gauge chart that provides approximate thickness values for various gauge numbers. It’s important to note that different materials and regions may have variations in gauge systems, so it’s recommended to consult specific reference guides or material-specific charts for accurate measurements.
| Gauge Number | Thickness (inches) | Thickness (millimeters) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 0.0126 | 0.320 |
| 28 | 0.0157 | 0.400 |
| 26 | 0.0187 | 0.475 |
| 24 | 0.0239 | 0.607 |
| 22 | 0.0299 | 0.759 |
| 20 | 0.0359 | 0.912 |
| 18 | 0.0478 | 1.214 |
| 16 | 0.0598 | 1.519 |
| 14 | 0.0747 | 1.897 |
| 12 | 0.1046 | 2.656 |
| 10 | 0.1345 | 3.416 |
| 8 | 0.1644 | 4.176 |
| 6 | 0.1943 | 4.928 |
| 4 | 0.2242 | 5.688 |
| 2 | 0.2592 | 6.579 |
| 0 | 0.2893 | 7.348 |
| 00 | 0.3194 | 8.121 |
Please note that this is a general gauge chart and the values provided are approximate. For precise measurements and specific materials, it is recommended to refer to material-specific gauge charts or consult appropriate reference materials.
2) Galvanized Steel Gauge Thickness Chart
Here is a general galvanized steel gauge thickness chart that provides approximate thickness values for various gauge numbers. Keep in mind that actual thicknesses may vary slightly depending on the specific galvanizing process and material specifications.
| Gauge Number | Thickness (inches) | Thickness (millimeters) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 0.0126 | 0.320 |
| 28 | 0.0157 | 0.400 |
| 26 | 0.0187 | 0.475 |
| 24 | 0.0239 | 0.607 |
| 22 | 0.0299 | 0.759 |
| 20 | 0.0359 | 0.912 |
| 18 | 0.0478 | 1.214 |
| 16 | 0.0598 | 1.519 |
| 14 | 0.0747 | 1.897 |
| 12 | 0.1046 | 2.656 |
| 10 | 0.1345 | 3.416 |
| 8 | 0.1644 | 4.176 |
| 6 | 0.1943 | 4.928 |
| 4 | 0.2242 | 5.688 |
| 2 | 0.2592 | 6.579 |
| 0 | 0.2893 | 7.348 |
| 00 | 0.3194 | 8.121 |
Please note that this is a general gauge chart for galvanized steel, and the thickness values provided are approximate. It’s important to consult specific material specifications and reference guides for accurate measurements, as different galvanizing processes and standards may result in slight variations.
3) Stainless Steel Gauge Chart
Here is a general stainless steel gauge thickness chart that provides approximate thickness values for various gauge numbers. However, it’s important to note that different stainless steel alloys may have slight variations in thickness for the same gauge number. Always refer to specific material specifications and reference guides for accurate measurements.
| Gauge Number | Thickness (inches) | Thickness (millimeters) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 0.0125 | 0.3175 |
| 28 | 0.0141 | 0.3581 |
| 26 | 0.0179 | 0.4547 |
| 24 | 0.0239 | 0.6076 |
| 22 | 0.0299 | 0.7595 |
| 20 | 0.0359 | 0.9114 |
| 18 | 0.0478 | 1.2145 |
| 16 | 0.0598 | 1.5189 |
| 14 | 0.0747 | 1.8924 |
| 12 | 0.1046 | 2.6548 |
| 10 | 0.1345 | 3.4169 |
| 8 | 0.1644 | 4.1791 |
| 7 | 0.1793 | 4.5502 |
| 6 | 0.1943 | 4.9282 |
| 5 | 0.2092 | 5.3097 |
| 4 | 0.2242 | 5.6957 |
| 3 | 0.2391 | 6.0731 |
| 2 | 0.254 | 6.4526 |
| 1 | 0.269 | 6.8314 |
| 0 | 0.284 | 7.2136 |
| 00 | 0.299 | 7.5946 |
Please note that this is a general gauge chart for stainless steel, and the thickness values provided are approximate. Variations may exist depending on the specific stainless steel alloy and manufacturing standards. Always refer to material-specific gauge charts or consult appropriate reference materials for accurate measurements.
4) Aluminum Gauge Chart
Here is a general aluminum gauge thickness chart that provides approximate thickness values for various gauge numbers. However, it’s important to note that different aluminum alloys may have slight variations in thickness for the same gauge number. Always refer to specific material specifications and reference guides for accurate measurements.
| Gauge Number | Thickness (inches) | Thickness (millimeters) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 0.0125 | 0.3175 |
| 28 | 0.0141 | 0.3581 |
| 26 | 0.0179 | 0.4547 |
| 24 | 0.0239 | 0.6076 |
| 22 | 0.0299 | 0.7595 |
| 20 | 0.0359 | 0.9114 |
| 18 | 0.0478 | 1.2145 |
| 16 | 0.0598 | 1.5189 |
| 14 | 0.0747 | 1.8924 |
| 12 | 0.1046 | 2.6548 |
| 10 | 0.1345 | 3.4169 |
| 8 | 0.1644 | 4.1791 |
| 6 | 0.1943 | 4.9282 |
| 4 | 0.2242 | 5.6957 |
| 2 | 0.254 | 6.4526 |
| 1 | 0.289 | 7.3406 |
| 0 | 0.321 | 8.1534 |
| 00 | 0.364 | 9.2456 |
Please note that this is a general gauge chart for aluminum, and the thickness values provided are approximate. Variations may exist depending on the specific aluminum alloy and manufacturing standards. Always refer to material-specific gauge charts or consult appropriate reference materials for accurate measurements.
5) Brass Gauge Size Chart
Here is a general brass gauge size chart that provides approximate thickness values for various gauge numbers. Please note that brass alloys can have slight variations in thickness for the same gauge number, so it’s advisable to refer to specific material specifications and reference guides for accurate measurements.
| Gauge Number | Thickness (inches) | Thickness (millimeters) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 0.010 | 0.254 |
| 28 | 0.013 | 0.330 |
| 26 | 0.016 | 0.406 |
| 24 | 0.020 | 0.508 |
| 22 | 0.025 | 0.635 |
| 20 | 0.032 | 0.812 |
| 18 | 0.040 | 1.016 |
| 16 | 0.051 | 1.295 |
| 14 | 0.064 | 1.626 |
| 12 | 0.081 | 2.057 |
| 10 | 0.102 | 2.591 |
| 8 | 0.128 | 3.251 |
| 6 | 0.162 | 4.115 |
| 4 | 0.204 | 5.182 |
| 2 | 0.257 | 6.528 |
| 1 | 0.289 | 7.343 |
| 0 | 0.321 | 8.156 |
| 00 | 0.364 | 9.245 |
Please note that this is a general gauge chart for brass, and the thickness values provided are approximate. Variations may exist depending on the specific brass alloy and manufacturing standards. Always refer to material-specific gauge charts or consult appropriate reference materials for accurate measurements.
6) Copper Gauge Chart
Here is a general copper gauge chart that provides approximate thickness values for various gauge numbers. Please note that copper alloys can have slight variations in thickness for the same gauge number, so it’s advisable to refer to specific material specifications and reference guides for accurate measurements.
| Gauge Number | Thickness (inches) | Thickness (millimeters) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 0.010 | 0.254 |
| 28 | 0.013 | 0.330 |
| 26 | 0.016 | 0.406 |
| 24 | 0.020 | 0.508 |
| 22 | 0.025 | 0.635 |
| 20 | 0.032 | 0.812 |
| 18 | 0.040 | 1.016 |
| 16 | 0.051 | 1.295 |
| 14 | 0.064 | 1.626 |
| 12 | 0.081 | 2.057 |
| 10 | 0.102 | 2.591 |
| 8 | 0.128 | 3.251 |
| 6 | 0.162 | 4.115 |
| 4 | 0.204 | 5.182 |
| 2 | 0.257 | 6.528 |
| 1 | 0.289 | 7.343 |
| 0 | 0.321 | 8.156 |
| 00 | 0.364 | 9.245 |
Please note that this is a general gauge chart for copper, and the thickness values provided are approximate. Variations may exist depending on the specific copper alloy and manufacturing standards. Always refer to material-specific gauge charts or consult appropriate reference materials for accurate measurements.