Metal wire mesh gauge tables are essential for choosing the right material, as they show the relationship between wire diameter and gauge number. Different projects need mesh with various wire gauges.
Typically, thicker wire has a larger diameter and more space between wires, making it stronger but harder to cut. Conversely, thinner wire has a smaller diameter, less space between wires, and is easier to cut.
Please see our gauge table below to determine which gauge is needed for your next project.
Gauge | Diameter in Inches | Diameter in MM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.283 | 7.188 |
| 2 | 0.2625 | 6.668 |
| 3 | 0.2437 | 6.19 |
| 4 | 0.2253 | 5.723 |
| 5 | 0.207 | 5.258 |
| 6 | 0.192 | 4.877 |
| 7 | 0.177 | 4.496 |
| 8 | 0.162 | 4.115 |
| 9 | 0.1483 | 3.767 |
| 10 | 0.135 | 3.429 |
| 11 | 0.1205 | 3.061 |
| 12 | 0.1055 | 2.68 |
| 13 | 0.0915 | 2.324 |
| 14 | 0.08 | 2.032 |
| 15 | 0.072 | 1.829 |
| 16 | 0.0625 | 1.588 |
| 17 | 0.054 | 1.372 |
| 18 | 0.0475 | 1.207 |
| 19 | 0.041 | 1.041 |
| 20 | 0.0348 | 0.884 |
| 21 | 0.0317 | 0.805 |
| 22 | 0.0286 | 0.726 |
| 23 | 0.025 | 0.635 |
| 24 | 0.023 | 0.584 |
| 25 | 0.0204 | 0.518 |
| 26 | 0.0181 | 0.46 |
| 27 | 0.0173 | 0.439 |
| 28 | 0.0162 | 0.411 |
| 29 | 0.015 | 0.381 |
| 30 | 0.014 | 0.356 |
| 31 | 0.0132 | 0.335 |
| 32 | 0.0128 | 0.325 |
| 33 | 0.0118 | 0.3 |
| 34 | 0.0104 | 0.264 |
| 35 | 0.0095 | 0.241 |
| 36 | 0.009 | 0.229 |
| 37 | 0.0085 | 0.216 |
| 38 | 0.008 | 0.203 |
| 39 | 0.0075 | 0.191 |
| 40 | 0.007 | 0.178 |
One notable aspect of the wire gauge system is that larger diameters correspond to smaller gauge numbers. In other words, the thicker the wire, the smaller the gauge, and the thinner the wire, the larger the gauge.
Originally, this numbering system stemmed from the wire manufacturing process, in which smaller wires had to be drawn and stretched through more dies. A wire of gauge 40 had to be drawn through 40 different dies (increasingly smaller holes).
It’s important to examine the wire gauge table for each vendor, as gauges can vary by country and industry.
Medium-gauge mesh may be used for:
Pro tip: For all gauges, galvanized hardware cloth or welded stainless mesh may be used to add durability in challenging conditions.