Metal Gauge Thickness Charts and Melting Points of Metal
Your Essential Reference Guide
Accurate material specifications are critical for the success of any fabrication or construction project. Whether you are welding structural beams or cutting custom parts, understanding the relationship between gauge thickness and material properties ensures durability and precision. Warrenton Steel provides the technical data you need to make informed decisions.
Understanding the Sheet Metal Gauge Chart
The sheet metal gauge chart is the industry standard for determining the thickness of metal sheets. Unlike linear measurements, where higher numbers mean larger size, gauge works in reverse: a higher gauge number indicates a thinner sheet. This counterintuitive system often confuses buyers, making the reliable reference chart displayed below essential for selecting the correct material for your specific application
| Thickness Comparison Table | ||
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | Imperial (in) | Metric (mm) |
| Sheet of copier paper | .003 in | .07 mm |
| Dollar bill | .0043 in | .1 mm |
| Driver’s license / credit card thickness | .03 in | .76 mm |
| Standard paperclip (wire diameter) | .031 in | .78 mm |
| DVD-R | .047 in | 1.19 mm |
| Dime | .053 in | 1.35 mm |
| Penny | .059 in | 1.52 mm |
| Quarter | .063 in | 1.75 mm |
| Nickel | .074 in | 1.95 mm |
| House key | .08 in | 2 mm |
| Standard car windshield | .25 in | 6.35 mm |
| iPhone | .27 - .29 in | 6.85 – 7.36 mm |
| Samsung Galaxy | ~.31 in | ~7.87 mm |
| Standard tube ballpoint pen | .319 in | 8.1 mm |
| Blu-ray case | .511 in | 12.97 mm |
| Height of Credit Card | 2.125 in | 53.98 mm |
| Width of credit card | 3.37 in | 85.6 mm |
Standard Metal Gauge Sizes and Conversions
Converting standard metal gauge sizes into inches or millimeters is necessary for precise fabrication. A standard 16-gauge steel sheet, for example, measures approximately 0.0598 inches. The conversion data provided on this page allows fabricators to translate "gauge" into measurable decimal thickness, ensuring that the material fits the exact engineering tolerances required for structural integrity and machine compatibility.
Stainless Steel vs. Galvanized Gauge Thickness
It is important to note that gauge thickness is not universal across all materials. A 16-gauge sheet of standard steel differs slightly in actual thickness from 16-gauge galvanized steel or stainless steel. Because galvanized steel adds a zinc coating, the final thickness includes that layer, meaning the core steel might be slightly thinner than the gauge suggests.
Aluminum and Carbon Steel Gauge Tables
Aluminum sheet metal gauge standards differ significantly from carbon steel. Aluminum is often measured directly in decimal inches, though gauge terms are still used colloquially. Carbon steel follows the Manufacturer's Standard Gauge (MSG). When switching between materials, never assume the gauge number represents the same thickness; always verify with our specific material tables to avoid costly errors.
| Gauge Conversion Table in Inches | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gauge | Tube | Alloy Steel | Aluminum | Stainless | Copper | Brass | Carbon Steel | Galvanized Steel |
| 0 | 0.34 | 0.3125 | 0.3249 | 0.3125 | 0.34 | 0.3249 | - | - |
| 1 | 0.3 | 0.2901 | 0.2893 | 0.2813 | 0.3 | 0.2893 | - | - |
| 2 | 0.284 | 0.259 | 0.2576 | 0.266 | 0.284 | 0.2576 | - | - |
| 3 | 0.259 | 0.2391 | 0.2294 | 0.239 | 0.259 | 0.2294 | 0.2391 | - |
| 4 | 0.238 | 0.2242 | 0.2043 | 0.224 | 0.238 | 0.2043 | 0.2242 | - |
| 5 | 0.22 | 0.2092 | 0.1819 | 0.209 | 0.22 | 0.1819 | 0.2092 | - |
| 6 | 0.203 | 0.1943 | 0.162 | 0.194 | 0.203 | 0.162 | 0.1943 | - |
| 7 | 0.18 | 0.1793 | 0.1443 | 0.179 | 0.18 | 0.1443 | 0.1793 | - |
| 8 | 0.165 | 0.1644 | 0.1285 | 0.164 | 0.165 | 0.1285 | 0.1644 | 0.1681 |
| 9 | 0.148 | 0.1495 | 0.1144 | 0.15 | 0.148 | 0.1144 | 0.1495 | 0.1532 |
| 10 | 0.12 | 0.1196 | 0.1019 | 0.135 | 0.134 | 0.1019 | 0.1345 | 0.1382 |
| 11 | 0.109 | 0.1046 | 0.0907 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.0907 | 0.1196 | 0.1233 |
| 12 | 0.095 | 0.0897 | 0.0808 | 0.105 | 0.109 | 0.0808 | 0.1046 | 0.1084 |
| 13 | 0.083 | 0.0747 | 0.072 | 0.09 | 0.095 | 0.072 | 0.0897 | 0.0934 |
| 14 | 0.072 | 0.0673 | 0.064 | 0.075 | 0.083 | 0.064 | 0.0747 | 0.0785 |
| 15 | 0.065 | 0.0598 | 0.0571 | 0.067 | 0.072 | 0.0571 | 0.0673 | 0.0710 |
| 16 | 0.058 | 0.0538 | 0.0508 | 0.06 | 0.065 | 0.0508 | 0.0598 | 0.0635 |
| 17 | 0.049 | 0.0478 | 0.0453 | 0.054 | 0.056 | 0.0453 | 0.0538 | 0.0575 |
| 18 | 0.042 | 0.0418 | 0.0403 | 0.048 | 0.049 | 0.0403 | 0.0478 | 0.0516 |
| 19 | 0.035 | 0.0359 | 0.0359 | 0.042 | 0.043 | 0.0359 | 0.0418 | 0.0456 |
| 20 | 0.028 | 0.0299 | 0.032 | 0.036 | 0.035 | 0.032 | 0.0359 | 0.0396 |
| 21 | 0.025 | 0.0269 | 0.0285 | 0.033 | 0.032 | 0.0285 | 0.0329 | 0.0366 |
| 22 | 0.022 | 0.0239 | 0.0254 | 0.03 | 0.027 | 0.0254 | 0.0299 | 0.0336 |
| 23 | 0.02 | 0.0209 | 0.0226 | 0.027 | 0.025 | 0.0226 | 0.0269 | 0.0306 |
| 24 | 0.018 | 0.0179 | 0.0201 | 0.024 | 0.022 | 0.0201 | 0.0239 | 0.0276 |
| 25 | 0.016 | 0.0164 | 0.0179 | 0.021 | 0.02 | 0.0179 | 0.0209 | 0.0247 |
| 26 | 0.014 | 0.0149 | 0.0159 | 0.018 | 0.018 | 0.0159 | 0.0179 | 0.0217 |
| 27 | 0.013 | 0.0135 | 0.0142 | 0.016 | 0.016 | 0.0142 | - | 0.0202 |
| 28 | 0.012 | 0.012 | 0.0126 | 0.015 | 0.014 | 0.0126 | 0.0149 | 0.0187 |
| 29 | 0.01 | 0.0105 | 0.0113 | 0.014 | 0.013 | 0.0113 | - | 0.0172 |
| 30 | 0.009 | 0.0097 | 0.01 | 0.012 | 0.012 | 0.01 | - | 0.0157 |
| 31 | 0.01 | 0.0105 | 0.0089 | 0.011 | 0.011 | 0.0089 | - | 0.0142 |
| 32 | 0.009 | 0.0097 | 0.008 | 0.01 | 0.009 | 0.008 | - | 0.0134 |
Why Are Wire Gauge and Sheet Metal Gauge Different?
It is crucial not to conflate wire gauge (AWG) with standard sheet metal gauge (MSG). These are two distinct measurement systems derived from different historical manufacturing processes. Wire gauge is generally calculated based on the number of drawing steps required to produce the wire, while sheet metal is based on weight per square foot. Always specify which system you are referencing to avoid costly ordering errors.
Comparing 14 Gauge vs 16 Gauge Steel
One of the most common questions we receive is: "Is 14 gauge thicker than 16 gauge?" The answer is yes. 14-gauge steel (approx. 0.0747") offers more durability and weight than 16-gauge steel (approx. 0.0598"). Selecting the right gauge depends on the load-bearing requirements of your project and the welding methods you intend to use.
What is the Thickness of 11-Gauge Steel?
11 gauge is a common thickness for heavy-duty applications, but its decimal equivalent varies slightly by material type. For standard carbon steel, 11 gauge is approximately 0.1196 inches thick. However, if you are looking at stainless steel, 11 gauge measures roughly 0.1250 inches (1/8th inch). Always verify the specific material type before finalizing your measurements for precise fabrication.
How to Measure Sheet Metal Gauge Accurately
One of the most common questions we receive is: "Is 14 gauge thicker than 16 gauge?" The answer is yes. 14-gauge steel (approx. 0.0747") offers more durability and weight than 16-gauge steel (approx. 0.0598"). Selecting the right gauge depends on the load-bearing requirements of your project and the welding methods you intend to use.
Metal Melting Points and Properties
Beyond thickness, knowing the melting points of metals is vital for welding and thermal applications. Carbon steel typically melts around 2600°F - 2800°F, while aluminum melts at a much lower 1220°F. Understanding these thermal properties helps fabricators select the right welding parameters and choose materials that will withstand the operating temperatures of the final environment.
Contact us today for a quote.
From deciphering the sheet metal gauge chart to understanding thermal limits, having the right data is the first step in quality fabrication. Warrenton Steel is your partner for expert advice and high-quality inventory in Missouri. Whether you need custom water jet cutting or bulk structural steel, we are ready to help you succeed. Request a consultation or delivery today.
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