AWG 12 carrying 3 A — 0.31 V over 10 m
3.309 mm² of copper, 0.0052 Ω per metre. Carrying 3 A, a ten-metre run there and back loses 0.31 V.
This gauge handles it · Current it handles 20A
- Diameter
- 2.053 mm
- Cross-section
- 3.309 mm²
- Resistance per metre
- 0.0052 Ω
- Current it handles
- 20 A
- Drop over 10 m
- 0.31 V
- Heat per metre
- 0.05 W
Length within 3%
Lose the same 0.36 V and it is 3% of a 12 V system but 0.16% of a 230 V one. That is why car wiring looks so thick, and why a long 12 V light run dims at the far end. This page works out the length that stays under 3% for each voltage separately.
- car 12 V11.5 m
- truck 24 V23.1 m
- North America 120 V115.4 m
- Europe 230 V221.2 m
The match in the other family
The United States names wire by AWG number; most of the world names it by cross-section in mm². The two never line up exactly, so each page shows the nearest match by area. When substituting, err toward the thicker one.
4mm²4mm²Nearby cells
Same gauge, other currents
Same current, other gauges
How to read this
- The length is the distance from source to device. The return trip is already counted.
- Figures are for copper. Aluminium of the same size has about 1.6 times the resistance.
- The "current it handles" is a cautious estimate. Real installations follow the local code table.
- A wire running hot and a lamp dimming at the far end are two different problems. Pick a gauge that answers both.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can AWG 12 carry 3 A?
Yes. This gauge is comfortable up to 20 A.
Q. How far can I run it?
The drop stays under 3% for 221.2 m at 230 V, 115.4 m at 120 V, or 11.5 m at 12 V.
Q. How many mm² is AWG 12?
3.309 mm², from a diameter of 2.053 mm. The nearest size in the other family is 4mm².
Q. How hot does the wire get?
Every metre turns 0.05 W into heat. Over ten metres that is a 0.5 W heater left running.