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Sheet Metal Gauge Converter
Convert a sheet metal gauge number to its thickness in inches and millimetres for standard steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel and aluminum, or type a measured thickness to find the nearest gauge in each material.
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Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the Sheet Metal Gauge Converter
- Choose the direction: gauge to thickness, or thickness to gauge.
- Pick the material, because each one uses its own gauge table.
- Select the gauge or type the thickness and its unit.
- Press Convert to see the thickness, weight and other materials.
- Check the full chart below or download it as CSV.
Common gauges side by side
| Gauge | Steel in (mm) | Galvanized in (mm) | Stainless in (mm) | Aluminum in (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 0.1345 (3.416) | 0.1382 (3.510) | 0.1406 (3.572) | 0.1019 (2.588) |
| 11 | 0.1196 (3.038) | 0.1233 (3.132) | 0.1250 (3.175) | 0.0907 (2.305) |
| 12 | 0.1046 (2.657) | 0.1084 (2.753) | 0.1094 (2.778) | 0.0808 (2.053) |
| 14 | 0.0747 (1.897) | 0.0785 (1.994) | 0.0781 (1.984) | 0.0641 (1.628) |
| 16 | 0.0598 (1.519) | 0.0635 (1.613) | 0.0625 (1.588) | 0.0508 (1.291) |
| 18 | 0.0478 (1.214) | 0.0516 (1.311) | 0.0500 (1.270) | 0.0403 (1.024) |
| 20 | 0.0359 (0.912) | 0.0396 (1.006) | 0.0375 (0.953) | 0.0320 (0.812) |
| 22 | 0.0299 (0.759) | 0.0336 (0.853) | 0.0313 (0.794) | 0.0253 (0.644) |
| 24 | 0.0239 (0.607) | 0.0276 (0.701) | 0.0250 (0.635) | 0.0201 (0.511) |
| 26 | 0.0179 (0.455) | 0.0217 (0.551) | 0.0188 (0.476) | 0.0159 (0.405) |
Where the gauge tables come from
- Standard steel uses the Manufacturers' Standard Gauge. It was derived from weight: each gauge corresponds to a set weight per square foot at 41.82 lb per square foot per inch of thickness.
- Galvanized steel uses the Galvanized Sheet Gauge, which is about 0.0037 in thicker than the bare steel gauge because it includes the zinc coating.
- Stainless steel is usually quoted on the US Standard Gauge of 1893, which gives round fractions such as 11 ga = 1/8 in and 16 ga = 1/16 in.
- Aluminum (and copper and brass sheet) follows the Brown & Sharpe gauge, the same geometric series as AWG wire:
t = 0.005 × 92^((36 − n) ÷ 39)inches.
Tips for ordering and working sheet metal
- Always state the material with the gauge. "16 gauge" alone can mean anything from 1.29 mm to 1.61 mm.
- For precise work, order by decimal thickness (for example 0.060 in or 1.5 mm) rather than gauge.
- Material thicker than about 3/16 in (4.8 mm) is normally called plate and sold by fractional or metric thickness, not gauge.
- Weights shown are estimates from density (steel 7.85, stainless 7.93, aluminum 2.70 g/cm³) and ignore coatings and tolerances.
Frequently asked questions
How thick is 16 gauge steel?
16 gauge standard sheet steel is 0.0598 in (1.519 mm). 16 gauge galvanized steel is 0.0635 in (1.613 mm), 16 gauge stainless is 0.0625 in (1.588 mm) and 16 gauge aluminum is 0.0508 in (1.291 mm).
Why does the same gauge mean different thicknesses?
Sheet gauges are separate historical tables, not a unit. Steel uses the Manufacturers' Standard Gauge, which is based on weight per square foot; galvanized sheet adds the zinc coating; stainless charts follow the older US Standard Gauge; and aluminum uses the Brown & Sharpe (AWG) series.
Does a higher gauge number mean thicker metal?
No. A higher gauge number means thinner sheet. 10 gauge steel is 0.1345 in thick, while 26 gauge steel is only 0.0179 in.
How do I convert gauge to mm?
Look up the thickness in inches for your material and multiply by 25.4. For example, 18 gauge steel is 0.0478 in × 25.4 = 1.214 mm.
What gauge is 1 mm or 1/8 inch?
1 mm is closest to 19 gauge steel (1.062 mm) or 18 gauge aluminum (1.024 mm). 1/8 in (3.175 mm) is closest to 11 gauge steel (0.1196 in) and is exactly 11 gauge on the US Standard (stainless) chart; for aluminum it falls near 8 gauge (0.1285 in).
How accurate are gauge thicknesses?
The chart values are nominal. Mill tolerances allow sheet to vary by a few thousandths of an inch, so measure with calipers or a micrometer when the exact thickness matters, and specify thickness in inches or mm when ordering.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.
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