12 AWG Wire Gauge Chart

Property	Value
Gauge 12 Diameter (in)	0.0808 in
Gauge 12 Diameter (mm)	2.053 mm
Gauge 12 Turns of Wire (per inch)	12.4 turns/in
Gauge 12 Turns of Wire (per cm)	4.87 turns/cm
Gauge 12 Cross-Sectional Area (kcmil)	6.53 kcmil
Gauge 12 Cross-Sectional Area (mm²)	3.31 mm²
Copper Resistance (Ω/km or mΩ/m)	5.211 mΩ/m
Copper Resistance (Ω/kft or mΩ/ft)	1.588 mΩ/ft
NEC Copper Wire Ampacity (60°C)	25 A
NEC Copper Wire Ampacity (75°C)	25 A
NEC Copper Wire Ampacity (90°C)	30 A
Fusing Current (10 s)	235.0 A
Fusing Current (1 s)	1000.0 A
Fusing Current (32 ms)	5600.0 A

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About 12 AWG Wire

What does AWG stand for?

AWG stands for American Wire Gauge, a standardized system for measuring wire sizes. The smaller the AWG number, the larger the wire diameter.

How does 12 AWG compare to 11 AWG?

12 AWG wire is smaller than 11 AWG, with a diameter of 2.053 mm compared to 2.305 mm for 11 AWG. It has the same ampacity (30 A at 90°C) but a smaller cross-sectional area and higher resistance.

What applications are suitable for 12 AWG wire?

12 AWG wire is commonly used for household wiring, such as lighting circuits, outlets, and small appliances, with an ampacity of up to 30 A at 90°C.

What happens if the fusing current is exceeded?

If the fusing current is exceeded (e.g., 235 A for 10 seconds in 12 AWG), the wire will overheat and melt, potentially causing a fire hazard or circuit failure.