AWG (B&S)
US Steel Wire
BWG (Stubs Iron Wire)
US Standard (old) SWG

Wire Density megaConverter #13
INFORMATION PAGE

Introduction and Overview
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This megaConverter is intended to provide a number of measurements for various wire gauge standards. Although here directed at steel wire, many of these standards are used for other types of metals or shapes. It provides pounds weight per 1000 feet, which is a standard way of expressing such a quantity, kilograms per kilometer, diameter in centimeters and inches, cross-sectional area in square centimeters and square inches, and the area in circular mils, which is the area of a circle one mil (.001 inch) in diameter.

* Much of our written history still refers to things in common units. The Bible does not refer to meters or kilograms, but to cubits and stadia, or shekels and drachma. Wouldn't it be nice to know what they were talking about way back then? Now you can use megaConverter! For a more complete listing of ancient, foreign, and obsolete measures, download our 'megaSpreadsheet' of conversions in MS Excel format.

For the most comprehensive treatment of measurements, find "NTC's Encyclopedia of International Weights & Measures" by William D. Johnstone at your local library.

Glossary of Conversions:

AWG
American Wire Gauge, Brown & Sharpe
Used for non-ferrous sheets, rod, or wire. Primarily for aluminum or copper, but can be used for all materials. Used extensively in the electronics industry. (Note: Weight density is given for steel. See Wire Resistance megaConverter #29 for density of copper wire)

US Steel Wire
American Steel & Wire, Washburn & Moen, CFI, and others
Used for steel wire, nails and other types of steel rod, except music wire.

BWG
or Stubs Iron Wire
Used for iron strips, bands, hoops, or wire.

US Standard (old)
Used occasionally for stainless steel sheets.

SWG
English legal standard wire gauge.

Note: Because of round-off errors, converting from very large units to very small units or vice-versa may not be accurate (or practical). Conversion factors can be found by converting a quantity of 1 unit to another unit several steps above or below the first. You may need to string several conversion factors together to find the factor from a very large unit to a very small unit, and then you can use a calculator with sufficient digits to find your answer.