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Wire Gauge Calculator

Find the right wire size for your LED project based on current and distance

1Project Requirements

Total current draw of your load in amps

Distance from power supply to load

3% recommended for LED strips, 5% for general use

2Recommended Wire Size

10 AWG

Recommended Wire Gauge

2.1% voltage drop

Max Rated Current

30 A

Wire Diameter

2.588 mm

Wire Gauge Comparison

24 AWG
53.5%2.1A max
22 AWG
33.6%3A max
20 AWG
21.1%5A max
18 AWG
13.3%7A max
16 AWG
8.4%10A max
14 AWG
5.3%15A max
12 AWG
3.3%20A max
10 AWGBest Choice
2.1%30A max

AWG Quick Reference

Lower AWG numberThicker wire, more current
Higher AWG numberThinner wire, less current

Why Wire Gauge Matters

Choosing the correct wire gauge is critical for safety and performance. Wire that's too thin for the current load will heat up, waste energy, and can be a fire hazard. For LED installations, undersized wire also causes voltage drop, leading to dimmer LEDs at the end of long runs.

How This Calculator Works

This calculator considers your current requirements, wire length, and acceptable voltage drop to recommend the smallest (most economical) wire gauge that meets your needs. It also ensures the wire's ampacity rating exceeds your load current for safe operation.

Wire Selection Tips

  • •Always round up to a larger wire gauge (smaller AWG number) when in doubt - it's safer and allows for future expansion
  • •Consider using stranded wire for flexibility in LED installations, especially where the cable needs to bend
  • •For outdoor or high-temperature environments, derate wire capacity by 20% or more
  • •Copper is preferred for LED projects due to its lower resistance, but aluminum can work for longer, high-current runs where weight matters