Sheet Metal Gauge Thickness Chart - All Points Fasteners (2024)

Sheet Metal Gauges

Use this steel gauge chart to compare the thicknesses of various kinds of sheet metals. The gauge measurement is in the left column, running from thick to thin. The remaining three columns indicate the thicknesses of standard steel, galvanized steel and aluminum metal sheets in inches.

Types of Sheet Metal ScrewsAvailableFromAll Points Fasteners

All Points Fastenersis your headquarters for high-quality sheet metal screws at affordable prices. We offertwo popular kinds of screwsin various sizes:

  • Type Ascrews:Type A sheet metal screws include threads with wider spacing, making them bettersuited for usewith nested, punched and drilled holesin thin metal materials,asbestos combinationsor plywood.
  • Type A/B screws:Type A/B screws feature ahighernumber of threads per inchlike Type B screws and the locating point of Type A screws. Theywork bestin light gauge metal.

​Our specific versions of sheet metal screws include:

Choose the Right Screw Size

Sheet metal screws come in various dimensions. To determine the right size for your project, you’ll need to consider the following factors:

  • Head and shaft diameter:You’ll find sheet metal screw head and common shank sizes listed as a proportional number ranging from 6-14. A size 8 screw, for example, has twice the shaft diameter as a size 4 option.
  • Thread type and count:The number of threads a screw contains determines its adhesion capacity.
  • Length:The proper length is when at least half of the screw is embedded into the objects you are planning to affix. If more than half of the screw is protruding, the connection won’t be as sturdy.

Find the Right Material

The material used to construct sheet metal screws impacts their quality, performance, and longevity. Standard screws are the most affordable, but they may not meet your durability requirements. On the other hand, products such as Carbon steel screws for aluminum, stainless screws and ceramic coated galvanized screws cost more but offer greater strength and corrosion resistance. Consider the latter options for outdoor construction projects in wetter climates.

Select the Right Head Style

As mentioned in a previous section, you have numerous options regarding screw head style. A pan head is the best choice if you want a head that’s raised from the surface of the workpiece or structure. Oval heads will provide a more finished appearance, while flathead screws deliver the best results for applications requiring countersinking. For water-based jobs, consider screws with neoprene hex washers.

Determine if You Need Self-Drilling Screws

When trying to find the right type of fastener, you should also decide whether you want to use a self-drilling screw. This fastener consists of a drill point that enables it to create its own hole when entering the material. If you use standard screws, you may need to drill a pilot hole before insertion.

Contact Us to Learn More About Our Sheet Metal Screws

For all of your sheet metal screw needs, come to All Points Fasteners. We have a large variety of fasteners available, making it easy for you to find what you need. We feature a wide range of products from leading manufacturers with an excellent reputation for producing high-superior fasteners that stand the test of time.You can trust items you purchase from us to meet your expectations. And with our affordable prices, our fasteners can fit any company’s budget. Low prices and excellent quality is an unbeatable combination!

If we do not have what you want, we will find it for you and get it to you quickly.We can even source many of those “unusual” items you require for your projects. We believe that by doing whatever it takes to meet the needs of every customer, we can establish long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.Our high-quality products work well for contractors in industries like roofing, HVAC and others.

In addition to offering domestic-quality sheet metal screws and other fasteners at imported prices, All Points Fasteners providesa level of customer support thatisunmatched in our industry. Unlike our competitors, we make a live chat featureavailable,so you can ask our knowledgeable support staff about product specifications and receive reliable product selection guidance.Our team will answer all of the questions you have about our fasteners, making you confident in your purchase.

Free Samples Available

We recognize that relying on a photograph and a product description may not be enough when choosing the right sheet metal screws, stainless steel screws or other fastening products for your applications.

If you’re a U.S. customer, you have access to free samples. We can provide the samples after you receive a custom quote and agree to the terms.

Contact Us for More Information and a Free Fastener Quote

To get in touch with us,fill out the contact formon our website or give us a call at 800-483-6354 today.

Sheet Metal Gauge Thickness Chart - All Points Fasteners (2024)

FAQs

What are the different thicknesses of sheet metal? ›

Foil, Sheet and Plate

The thickness of foil is usually up to 0.2 mm. Sheet metal is the next in line. The thickness of sheet metal starts from 0.5 mm and goes up to 6 mm. Anything above that is a metal plate.

What is thicker 11 gauge or 8 gauge? ›

Everything You Need to Know About Gauge of Steel

The rating for steel gauge may seem backward: the smaller the number, the thicker the steel.

How thick is 30 gauge sheet metal? ›

For instance, a sheet of 30-gauge standard steel measures 0.012 inches, which is slightly smaller than 30-gauge galvanized steel at 0.0157 inches and slightly larger than 30-gauge aluminum at 0.01 inches.

Is 14 or 18 gauge thicker? ›

The lower the gauge number the thicker the metal is. For example, 14 gauge copper is thicker than 18 gauge.

Which is thicker 20 or 24 gauge? ›

The higher the gauge number, the thinner the metal. For example, 10 gauge would be much thicker than 15 gauge. Most of our earrings have a post, or part of the earring that slips through the ear, between 19 gauge (thickest) to 24 gauge (thinnest).

Which is thicker 18 or 20 gauge? ›

The difference in thickness between 18-gauge and 20-gauge is 0.008 inches, while the difference in thickness between 18-gauge and 16-gauge is 0.010 inches.

What is stronger 10 or 11 gauge steel? ›

10-gauge steel is 1.42 times stronger than 11-gauge steel.

Is 14 or 12-gauge stronger? ›

Gauge is the measurement used to measure the thickness of steel. In the gauge system the higher the number the thinner the steel. As an example, 12 gauge steel is thicker and stronger than 14 gauge steel.

Which is thicker 24 or 25 gauge? ›

The 24 gauge being a bit more rigid and thicker gauge of steel than the standard 25 gauge.

Is 24 or 26 gauge thicker? ›

Since 24-gauge is the thicker material, it's also the heavier material compared to 26-gauge. A 24-gauge roofing panel weighs approximately 30% more than a 26-gauge panel.

Is 22 or 26 gauge thicker? ›

Popular steel panel gauge options are 22, 24, 26, and 29. The difference between the gauges of steel panels is the thickness. The higher the number, the thinner the metal panels.

Is 16 or 20 gauge thicker? ›

Few people know why the thickness of steel diminishes as the gauge increases (ie: 16 gauge steel is thicker than 20 gauge steel). The explanation comes from the early development of a steel gauge measurement system in which the control measurement was based on a 1″ thick steel plate.

Is 16 or 18 gauge heavier? ›

Gauge is the standard unit of measure for sheet steel and wire products. The lower the number, the thicker the steel. Therefore, 16 gauge is thicker than 18 gauge steel.

Which is thicker 22 or 18 gauge? ›

Thinner stainless steel has a higher gauge number and thicker stainless steel has a lower number. For example, an 18-gauge sink is more durable and more expensive than a 22-gauge stainless steel sink.

How thick is 30 gauge? ›

0.0124" 0.31mm

What is thicker 14 or 16 gauge steel? ›

16ga steel is . 065” inches thick, that is about 1/16th of an inch thick. 14 gauge in comparison is . 083 inches thick which doesn't sound like much except it is almost 30% thicker (27.6% to be exact).

How thick is 14 gauge sheet metal? ›

Keeping a gauge conversion chart nearby is an easy way to determine the actual thickness of a sheet of metal in inches or millimeters. For example, a 14 gauge stainless steel is . 07812 inches thick.

How do you calculate gauge thickness? ›

Gauge is (100) x (mils), so for example 0.3 mils = 30 gauge. To go from mils to microns, you multiply mils x 25.4. SolveTech makes thickness gauging technology for measuring plastic film.

Is 20 or 25 gauge thicker? ›

A 20 Mil liner is . 020 of an inch thick, and a 25 Mil liner is a little thicker at . 025 of an inch thick. One Gauge, on the other hand, can mean different things from one manufacturer to the next.

What is 1 gauge in mm? ›

Ear Gauge to MM Conversion Table
Millimeters(mm)Inches
16 mm5/8"
19 mm3/4"
22 mm7/8"
25 mm1"
22 more rows

Is 4 or 6 gauge thicker? ›

The higher the gauge number the thinner the metal.

Which is thicker 7 or 10 gauge? ›

Seven gauge gloves are thicker and offer the highest protection when compared to other gauges.

How thick is 10 gauge sheet metal? ›

This is known as the Manufacturers' Standard Gage for Sheet Steel. For other materials, such as aluminum and brass, the thicknesses will be different. Thus, a 10 gauge steel sheet which has a thickness of 0.1345 inches will weigh 41.82*0.1345 = 5.625 pounds per square foot.

Is 18 or 20 gauge steel stronger? ›

The higher the number the thicker the steel. 18 Gauge is a thicker metal than a 20 Gauge. 18 Gauge would be a stronger metal than a 20 Gauge as well.

What is thicker 14 or 12 gauge steel? ›

12 gauge offers a 0.098" sheet thickness minimum, while the 14 gauge offers a 0.070" sheet thickness minimum. The 12 gauge sheets are 40% heavier than the 14 gauge sheets.

Is 16 or 18 gauge steel stronger? ›

And as you know, the thicker sink will be more durable and typically higher quality than a thinner steel sink. So, put in more technical terms, the lower gauge steel, or 16 gauge sink, is the thicker and better choice than the 18 gauge sink made with thinner steel.

What is stronger 20 gauge or a 12? ›

A 12-gauge shotgun holds a power advantage over a 20-gauge, but unlike most cartridge comparisons, faster projectiles aren't the cause. It's a common misperception that a 20 gauge is less powerful than a 12 gauge because it shoots pellets more slowly. Generally speaking, that's not the case.

What is a 14 gauge used for? ›

14-gauge are usedfor light fixtures, lamps, lighting circuits with 15 amps. 12-gauge are used in kitchen, bathroom, outdoor receptacles, and 120-volt air conditioners supporting 20 amps. 10-gauge are used in electric clothes dryers, 240-volt window air conditioners, electric water heaters supporting 30 amps.

Why is 12 gauge bigger than 20? ›

In a 20 gauge, it will take 20 balls of equal size and weight to equal one pound of shot. Because the individual pieces contained within a shotshell are bigger in a 12 gauge than in a 20 gauge, 12 is bigger than 20.

What is 24 gauge used for? ›

💉24 GAUGE: The 24 gauge needle is used for administering fluids during surgery and trauma among children. Insertion is less painful due to its small size and is incredibly difficult to insert into tough skin.

How thick is 26 gauge metal? ›

For example, a 26-gauge steel panel can range between 0.0179 and 0.0217 inches thick according to a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill resource.

Is 26 or 29 gauge metal thicker? ›

The lower the number, the thicker the metal. How much thicker? In general, a 26-gauge piece of metal is about 25 percent thicker than a 29-gauge. For this reason, it's better able to tolerate strong winds and hail.

What is 24 gauge steel used for? ›

26 gauge steel is the industry standard for most light commercial and residential applications, and 24 gauge is steel is also common for standing seam panels and buildings that will experience high wind or snow loads.

Which is better 29 or 26 gauge metal? ›

A 26-gauge roof is not only thicker but also heavier than 29-gauge. The added weight gives the roof a greater chance of staying intact in the event of a very heavy wind storm. 26 gauge will out-perform any 29 gauge material. In hail prone areas, a heavier gauge will make sense due to impact-resistance.

What is 26 gauge used for? ›

These are regular-walled medical point needles. They are for intramuscular, subcutaneous, and other injections and are available in a wide range of gauges and lengths. They have an oversized chrome plated luer lock hub.

What is 22 gauge used for? ›

Depending on the facility, 22g needles are occasionally utilized for routine blood draws. The slightly smaller size may assist the phlebotomist with slightly smaller veins they may encounter on older children or adult patients.

Which is bigger 20 or 22 gauge? ›

IV needles are sized by gauges, and the smaller the gauge number, the bigger the needle will be. In this article and video, I'll discuss the three most common IV gauge needles you'll encounter as a nurse: 18 gauge, 20 gauge, and 22 gauge.

How strong is 22 gauge sheet metal? ›

A36 mild carbon steel alloy. Common structural steel in U.S.A. Minimum yield of 36,000 PSI (250 MPa) and ultimate tensile strength of 58,000 to 80,000 PSI (400-550 MPa).

Which is thicker 4 gauge or 20 gauge? ›

I have seen anywhere from 4 gauge to 60 gauge clear vinyl for sale on the internet. The higher the gauge number, the thicker the vinyl. 20 gauge vinyl is very thick, probably thicker than you want to use for sewing anything bag related.

How thick is 20ga sheet metal? ›

For example, 20-gauge mild steel is . 036” thick.

Is higher gauge thicker or thinner? ›

The gauge of a wire refers to its thickness. Each gauge is represented by a number, with smaller numbers representing thicker wire gauges and higher numbers signifying thinner wires.

Will 18 gauge steel rust? ›

Because of this composition, you will sometimes see this referred to as 18/8 steel, especially in reference to flatware. It is highly resistant to corrosion, but it is non-magnetic (again, important if you are using a magnetic flatware retriever).

What is a 16 gauge good for? ›

16 Gauge - The 16 gauge shotgun's popularity has declined over the years and they aren't easy to find. Like the 12 gauge, it's also a good multipurpose shotgun, but is used primarily for upland hunting — the hunting of non-waterfowl game birds with use of hounds.

Which is thicker 15 or 18 gauge? ›

The difference between them is the gauge nail that they shoot. The most common and readily available types are 15 gauge, 16 gauge, 18 gauge, and 23 gauge. The higher the number, the thinner the nail and the smaller the hole.

Which is thicker 23 or 25 gauge? ›

The higher the gauge, the smaller the diameter. For example, a 30 gauge needle has a narrower lumen than a 25 gauge needle.
...
Plastic (Straight 0.25″, 0.5″, or 1.0″)
Gauge SizeInner Diameter (mm)Color
230.330Orange
240.300Blue-Green
250.250Red
260.240Peach
5 more rows

Which is stronger 20 gauge or 24 gauge? ›

A 20-gauge steel door gives you 49% more galvanized steel than a 24-gauge door.

What 18 gauge means? ›

A gauge conversion chart can be used to determine the actual thickness of sheet metal in inches or millimeters. For example, 18 gauge steel, according to a gauge conversion chart, is 0.0478 inch or 1.214 millimeter. The gauge number “18” holds no relevance to the actual measurements.

Which is thicker 14 gauge or 16 gauge sheet metal? ›

14 Gauge vs 16 Gauge: Which One is Thicker? As mentioned earlier, the thickness of steel diminishes as the gauge increases. Hence 14 gauge is thicker than 16 gauge.

Is 11 or 14 gauge thicker? ›

The lower the gauge number, the thicker and stronger the steel. As the gauge number increases, there is a drop of 10 percent of thickness in the steel.

How thick is 29 gauge sheet metal? ›

15 U.S. Code § 206 - Standard gauge for sheet and plate iron and steel
Number of gaugeApproximate thickness in fractions of an inchWeight per square meter in kilograms
299/6402.746
301/802.441
317/6402.136
3213/12801.983
41 more rows

What is 14 gauge steel used for? ›

The 14-gauge steel is the industry standard of frame thickness and the most nationally accepted gauge for carport and metal structures.

Is higher gauge thicker? ›

The gauge of a wire refers to its thickness. Each gauge is represented by a number, with smaller numbers representing thicker wire gauges and higher numbers signifying thinner wires.

How thick is 28 gauge sheet metal? ›

0.0148" 0.37mm

Is 18 or 22 gauge thicker? ›

Thinner stainless steel has a higher gauge number and thicker stainless steel has a lower number. For example, an 18-gauge sink is more durable and more expensive than a 22-gauge stainless steel sink.

Is 12 or 14 gauge stronger? ›

12-gauge (. 106) steel is 2.86 times stronger than 14-gauge (. 075), even though it is only . 031 thicker.

Which is thicker gauge 18 or 16? ›

The lower the number, the thicker the steel. Therefore, 16 gauge is thicker than 18 gauge steel. The reason we promote using 16 gauge steel for your sinks versus 18 gauge is 16 is more rigid.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5991

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Birthday: 1995-01-14

Address: 55021 Usha Garden, North Larisa, DE 19209

Phone: +6812240846623

Job: Corporate Healthcare Strategist

Hobby: Singing, Listening to music, Rafting, LARPing, Gardening, Quilting, Rappelling

Introduction: My name is Foster Heidenreich CPA, I am a delightful, quaint, glorious, quaint, faithful, enchanting, fine person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.