Sheet metal thickness chart: 7, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 gauge steel

We use steel in several aspects of life. We use metal to build roofs, equipment, machines, computers, hinges, door locks, and many more. Almost everything around us these days has its part of its component. For example, a high-rise building uses metal for its internal structure.

Everywhere we look, we see it as a part of our life. However, it does not simply come in one type. Different applications require different thicknesses, which we refer to as metal gauges.

The sheet metal thickness chart is the easiest way to convert gauge to inches or mm. From it, you can see the following along with other things such as weight & conversion to mm:

The table below shows the sheet metal thickness chart to make sure you get the right products. We have these in millimeters and inches, so you do not have to convert from gauge to mm or to inches. It's no different from copper wire and PVC pipe having their own standards and specifications.

The volume and material will influence the weight.

Pros of standard steel

Cons

Pros of stainless steel

Cons

Pros of galvanized steel

Cons

However, we must note that the thickness may change according to the steel type. For example, a size three in standard steel is 0.2391 inches thick, while a three in stainless steel is 0.2500 inches. The difference is minimal but could make or break it in actual application. Another example is between the size 38 standard and stainless steel. The former is 0.0060 inches thick, while the latter is 0.0062 inches. Again, the difference is very minimal.

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Here's a tool that makes it easy for you to figure out what you have rather than having to consult a chart. Otherwise, scroll down to check out the chart.

A sheet metal gauge, or simply a metal gauge, refers to the thickness of a specific material, which is steel in this case. The standard system expresses it in numbers, where a higher number means a thinner material, and a lower number means a thicker one.

Its weight is 41.82 lbs per square foot per inch of thickness, which we use to express weight per square foot. It is a standard value for the sheet metal gauge chart, which is different for brass and aluminum. For example, an eight sheet has a thickness of 0.1644 inches. Its weight will be 41.82 * 0.1644 inches = 6.875 lbs per square foot.

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In the United States, they use inches and feet to measure. For sheet metal thickness, they use the gauge, which is a dimensionless number. Larger numbers denote a thinner sheet, while smaller numbers denote a thicker sheet.

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Most people would think a higher number means a thicker material. However, it does not hold with steel gauge thickness. Amp wires come in different sizes too, which is comparable with steel.

From 10 to 18, the thickest is the 10, and the thinnest is the 18. If we look at the measurements, the increments are minimal. For example, a size ten standard steel is 0.1345 inches, while a size 11 is 0.1196 inches. It does not imply there is not much difference in its strength. The former is significantly more durable than the latter despite a very minimal thickness increase.

The following section shows a table of all the measurements you need. The weight per area is also available for your convenience.

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There are several metal gauge types in the market, which gets confusing. The following should give you a rough idea of where each one is ideal to use, such as:

These are not the only available ones because there are so many options in the market. These are the ones that are common and sell out faster than the rest.

We thought it would be more convenient for customers to get more information on the types, particularly in the application.

The 24 is common for use in buildings that experience snow loads or high winds and standing seam panels. We also use it for residential roofing and it's great for metal stamping, forming the shapes you need in a neat process.

We use the size 22 for metal roofing. It runs on the thinner side of sheet metals, so expect it to be lighter. We also use the same for steel chairs and desks.

The size 20 is common in flutter spoon and metal case manufacturing. If you wish to drill a hole at the center of it, we recommend using a carbide bit.

We also use the 20-gauge for oversize caskets because it is much lighter than a 22.

We use the size for regular casket sizes. Despite its heftier weight than the 20, we recommend using it because of its smaller dimensions in a not oversize casket.

Our recommendation for the 16 is for light to medium-duty projects. You can use it for your desk and table projects at home. The kitchen sink is another home application for this option.

The 14 gauge is likely the global standard for frame thickness for metal structures and carports. Although several people compare the 12 with the 14, you must know when to use one over the other.

Some manufacturers interchangeably use the two, depending on the availability. Before making any decisions, we recommend confirming the requirements. The 14 gauge standard steel thickness is 0.0747 inches.

The 12 typically stands out in applications such as:

Manufacturers also use a 12 for steel during manufacturing.

Moreover, you should also see the 12 in:

As you can see above, 12 gauge standard steel has a thickness of 0.1046 inches.

The 11-gauge is about 1.45 times stronger than its size 12 sibling. However, their practical applications are similar. We also recommend using it for window frames, walkways, cutouts, door frames, parking garages, workshops, and retail stores. The thickness of gauge 11 standard steel is 0.1196 inches.

The 10-gauge works best on more heavy-duty applications, such as:

They come in different heights so you can order the right one. The 10 gauge standard steel thickness is 0.1345 inches.

The 8 gauge is similar to the 10 in terms of application. We can use it for heavy-duty systems.

The 7 gauge is the thickest among the thicknesses listed in this section. We recommend using a 7 for any heavy-duty project, such as tall buildings and industrial systems. Manufacturers also use a 7 for:

However, the trade-off is weight, which is significantly more. Gauge 7 standard steel has a thickness of 0.1793 inches, as you can see above.

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Besides getting the right thickness, metal comes in many different materials. We’ve covered sheets here, but make sure you figure out if you need galvanized steel, mild steel, carbon steel, or cold rolled. The chart above makes thickness conversion easy.

How do I find out my gauge size for sheet metal?

Use mm for maximum accuracy.

For instance, a 1/20" thickness is represented by an 18 reading.

Whether you need metal bars or sheets, you’ll want to get the right items made of the appropriate materials. Sometimes it's fractions or decimals of thickness that could determine if you have the right parts. We hope these articles help you.

We use the 12-gauge steel for storage buildings, workshops, manufacturing plants, retail stores, parking garages, and many more. It provides a ton of support, making it one of the common choices for short buildings.

A size 11 has more strength than a 12. It is 1.45 times stronger than the latter.There are several options for the steel sheet gauges. You must know your project's requirements before choosing the size that works best.

In standard steel, gauge 7 has a thickness of 4.554mm. Gauge 10 has a thickness of 3.416mm. Gauge 11 has a thickness of 3.308 mm, while gauges 11 & 12 have thicknesses of 3.038mm & 2.657mm.