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Sheet Metal Gauge Chart
Sheet steel gauge thicknesses and weights.
| Gauge | Steel (in) | Steel (mm) | Weight (lb/sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 0.1793 | 4.55 | 7.32 |
| 8 | 0.1644 | 4.18 | 6.71 |
| 10 | 0.1345 | 3.42 | 5.49 |
| 11 | 0.1196 | 3.04 | 4.88 |
| 12 | 0.1046 | 2.66 | 4.27 |
| 14 | 0.0747 | 1.90 | 3.05 |
| 16 | 0.0598 | 1.52 | 2.44 |
| 18 | 0.0478 | 1.21 | 1.95 |
| 20 | 0.0359 | 0.91 | 1.47 |
| 22 | 0.0299 | 0.76 | 1.22 |
| 24 | 0.0239 | 0.61 | 0.98 |
| 26 | 0.0179 | 0.45 | 0.73 |
| 28 | 0.0149 | 0.38 | 0.61 |
Higher gauge numbers are thinner metal, which is the opposite of every other sizing system on a job site. Gauge is also material-specific — the same gauge number is a different thickness in aluminium or stainless, so always confirm which standard a spec means.
Higher gauge numbers mean thinner metal, which is backwards from every other sizing system on a job site. Gauge is also material-specific — the same number is a different thickness in steel, aluminium and stainless.
Why use this tool?
Thickness and weight
Inches, millimetres, and pounds per square foot for working out what a sheet weighs.
The reversed scale
Higher number, thinner metal. Worth stating because it catches everyone at least once.
Material-specific
The same gauge is a different thickness in aluminium or stainless. Always confirm which standard applies.
Weight derived
Computed from thickness and steel density rather than tabulated separately.
How this sheet metal gauge chart works
Gauge numbers descend from an old system counting drawing passes, which is why the scale runs backwards — more passes produced thinner material, and the number recorded the passes.
Weight per square foot is computed from thickness and steel density at 0.2836 pounds per cubic inch, so it stays consistent with the thickness figures rather than coming from a separate source.
Critically, gauge is not a universal measure. The same gauge number denotes different thicknesses in steel, galvanised steel, stainless and aluminium, so a drawing calling for a gauge without naming the material is ambiguous.
How to use it
Step 1: Identify the material
Gauge means different thicknesses in different metals. This chart is sheet steel.
Step 2: Find the gauge
Remembering that higher numbers are thinner.
Step 3: Read thickness and weight
For bend calculations and for working out what a sheet weighs to lift.
Step 4: Specify in thickness
On drawings, state the thickness alongside the gauge to remove ambiguity.
Example usage
- Common fabrication stock
- 16 gauge steel is 0.0598 in — 1.52 mm — and weighs 2.44 lb per square foot.
- Lighter material
- 22 gauge is 0.0299 in, exactly half the thickness of 16, and half the weight at 1.22 lb per square foot.
- What a sheet weighs
- A 4 by 8 sheet of 16 gauge is 32 square feet at 2.44 lb — about 78 lb. Worth knowing before you plan to carry it alone.
Frequently asked questions
How thick is 16 gauge steel?
0.0598 inches, or 1.52 mm. It weighs about 2.44 pounds per square foot.
Why is higher gauge thinner?
The number originally counted drawing passes, and more passes produced thinner material. The scale is historical rather than logical.
Is gauge the same for aluminium?
No. The same gauge number is a different thickness in aluminium, stainless and galvanised steel. Always confirm which material a gauge specification refers to.
Should I specify gauge or thickness?
Thickness, or both. Gauge alone is ambiguous without naming the material, and a decimal thickness removes all doubt.
How much does a sheet of steel weigh?
Multiply the weight per square foot by the sheet area. A 4 by 8 sheet of 16 gauge is 32 square feet at 2.44 lb, so about 78 pounds.
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