Is 14 or 18 gauge metal thicker?

11 Mar.,2024

 

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The world has shifted to being digital. Everything can be bought online now. Thanks to the pandemic, we have evolved in ways we never thought possible. From your groceries, clothes, and now metal parts, you can order it all online. However, when it comes to ordering something as crucial as a metal part, you need to look out for various aspects.

First thing, customizing a metal part online involves a lot of technicalities which only a well-experienced metal assure perfection. Be it the right knowledge of the sheet metal gauge chart or understanding your requirement in the best way possible, a good metal fabricator will understand every intricacy that goes into fabricating the perfect metal part. To customize the metal part that you require, you need to know the basics of customizing a metal part online. In this blog, we will understand what is sheet metal gauge and metal gauge chart. Let us get started. 

What is a Sheet Metal Gauge?

In simple terms, a sheet metal gauge is the ‘thickness of the sheet metal. The higher the number, the thinner the sheet metal. Gauges are the independent values that determine the thickness of the sheet metal in terms of inches or millimeters. Your metal fabricator will refer to the steel gauge chart before customizing the metal part. There are various gauge systems used today, the measurements also differ depending upon the metal type being used

Sheet Metal Gauge Chart: (Size)

Stainless Steel Gauge Chart

Gauge
Number Inches MM 0 0.3125 7.938 2 0.2656 6.746 4 0.2344 5.954 6 0.2031 5.159 8 0.1719 4.366 10 0.1406 3.571 12 0.1094 2.779 14 0.0781 1.984 16 0.0625 1.588

Aluminum Gauge Chart

Gauge
Number Inches MM 0 0.3249 8.252 2 0.2576 6.543 4 0.2043 5.189 6 0.162 4.115 8 0.1285 3.264 10 0.1019 2.588 12 0.0808 2.052 14 0.0641 1.628 16 0.0508 1.29

Galvanized Steel Chart

Gauge
Number Inches MM 8 0.1681 4.27 10 0.1382 3.51 12 0.1084 2.753 14 0.0785 1.994 16 0.0635 1.613 18 0.0516 1.311 20 0.0396 1.006 22 0.0336 0.853 24 0.0276 0.701

Carbon Steel Gauge Chart

Gauge
Number Inches MM 8 0.1644 4.175 10 0.1345 3.416 12 0.1046 2.656 14 0.0747 1.897 16 0.0598 1.518 18 0.0478 1.214 20 0.0359 0.911 22 0.0299 0.759 24 0.0239 0.607

Moving on, we have answered a few of the most common questions related to sheet metal gauges.

How Can Metal Gauge Impact Your DIY Project?

While customizing a metal part on our website, you will have an understanding of where and how you want to use it. For example, if you want to customize a stainless steel backsplash, it cannot be made with the highest gauge steel. This is because you need a metal gauge chart to determine the correct metal gauge thickness of the stainless steel backsplash so that it can be attached to your kitchen wall and last for years to come.   

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. 

How to choose the right gauge sheet metal for your fabrication project?

Sheet metal is a flexible metal that can be cut, bent and shaped as per your desire. It is made into flat pieces that come in various sizes and thicknesses. The sheet metal gauge will differ depending on the type of metal you are working with. At MetalsCut4U, our team of fabricators specialize in sheet metal fabrication and have customized various metal parts according to clients requirements. You can follow our four step configuration process to customize a metal part as per your requirements. Sheet metal is used to fabricate various metal products like a metal toolbox, architectural purposes, tabletops, countertops, metal corner guards etc. each product should have its own thickness according to the requirements. Sheet metal is highly flexible in terms of fabrication, hence you can customize various shapes with the help of sheet metal. 

The thickness (gauge) of the sheet metal will depend on individual requirements. It will be different depending upon the application and the functionality you’re looking for. If you have a DIY project in mind and you’re not sure about the steel gauge you can get in touch with us and we will help you to figure out the right steel gauge for you. If you are going for more of a rigid metal part such as a stainless steel backsplash then you would want to go with something thicker or lower gauge sheet metal. This will assure that the metal part is sturdy and durable. 

If you are looking for something that has different curves such as a U channel metal or a metal corner guard then you need to go for something a little thinner. You also want to consider the weather conditions as it also has a huge impact on the type of metal and gauge you choose. 

Our 4 step configuration process

We are all familiar with the concept of getting things done online, it is convenient and easy. The good news is that even DIY enthusiasts these days can get metal parts fabricated online. This is mainly because configuring a metal part online has enabled you to get what you need from the comfort of your home or office. If you want to customize steel sheets, it can be difficult to do the same at a local fabricator. This is because the local fabricator will not be able to cater to your individual requirements. Especially when you ask them to only fabricate /cut one or two units of it. 

When you work on a DIY project, you may need a metal part that is cut and bent in various shapes and sizes. At MetalsCut4U, you will be able to get your metal products fabricated very precisely. They use the latest laser cutting technology which makes it easy to cut all of the metal products to the exact size required. Our online configuration process makes it easy for you to get the desired part from the comfort of your home. At MetalsCut4U.com, you can configure 14 different shapes of metal-based on your requirements.

The 14 different shapes on our website are configurable by specifying the outside dimensions. You can also add holes and other cutouts to the specified shape. This feature makes the metal part ready to install as soon as you receive it. For example, you need a metal frame. The process of configuring your metal part online is quite simple and it will allow you to specify measurements for each side of the metal part. All you need to do is follow the step-by-step configuration procedure on MetalsCut4U.com. To begin you need to select the type of metal that you want to work with. Then in the second step, you need to select the available finish. Then followed by choosing the thickness of the metal part. In the fourth and last step, you select the frame from the offered 14 different shapes and enter the measurements required to specify your metal frame. There you go, it's done!

It is very important to know that you choose a metal fabricator that can help you in configuring almost any metal shape. You can buy a metal sheet for sale and configure various shapes. When you are able to get proper customization for your metal products, it becomes very easy to carry out your DIY project effectively and ensure that there are no errors. Metal fabrication is a delicate job. Hence, it requires extensive skills and knowledge to make sure that the metal product is customized as per your specifications. 

 For further questions or to know more about our metal laser cutting services, get in touch with us!

When working with sheet metal, it is common for the term “gauge” to be used. Someone unfamiliar with the gauge system may not understand what is meant by 18 gauge steel, for example. To help, this blog will explain the gauge system and features a sheet metal gauge chart.

How are Sheet Metal Gauges Used?

Gauges are used to specify the thickness of a sheet metal. Gauges are neither standard nor metric and the values are independent of those measurement systems. 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.

There are several different gauge systems used today, with specific gauge designations used for specific metal types. For example, in one gauge system, 18 gauge steel measures 0.0478 inches thick, but 18 gauge aluminum is 0.0403 inches thick. Because of the varying thicknesses, a gauge chart should be used to ensure the metal meets the required dimensions.

History of the Gauge System

The gauge system has long history in metal fabrication. It most likely originated from the British wire industry before the standard and metric measurement systems were widely adopted. At that time, gauges were used to describe the diameter of the metal wire being drawn. Since then, it has remained a prevalent method of designating the thickness of both wire and sheet metal.

Sheet Metal Gauge Charts

To determine what metal gauge you need, use these sheet metal gauge charts:

Jump to:
Mild Steel Gauge Chart
Aluminum Gauge Chart
Stainless Steel Gauge Chart
Galvanized Steel Gauge Chart
Brass Gauge Chart
Copper Gauge Chart
or Download a Printable Version

Mild Steel Gauge Chart*

Gauge
Number
Inches MM 7 .1793 4.554 8 .1644 4.175 9 .1495 3.797 10 .1345 3.416 11 .1196 3.038 12 .1046 2.656 14 .0747 1.897 16 .0598 1.518 18 .0478 1.214 20 .0359 .911 22 .0299 .759 24 .0239 .607 26 .0179 .454 28 .0149 .378

 

Aluminum Gauge Chart*

Gauge
Number
Inches MM 7 .1443 3.665 8 .1285 3.264 9 .1144 2.906 10 .1019 2.588 11 .09074 2.305 12 .08081 2.053 14 .06408 1.628 16 .05082 1.291 18 .04030 1.024 20 .03196 .812 22 .02535 .644 24 .02010 .511 26 .01594 .405 28 .01264 .321 30 .01003 .255

 

Stainless Steel Gauge Chart*

Gauge
Number
Inches MM 8 .17187 4.365 9 .15625 3.968 10 .14062 3.571 11 .125 3.175 12 .10937 2.778 14 .07812 1.984 16 .0625 1.587 18 .050 1.270 20 .0375 .9525 22 .03125 .7937 24 .025 .635 26 .01875 .476 28 .01562 .396 30 .0125 .3175

 

Galvanized Steel Gauge Chart*

Gauge
Number
Inches MM 8 .1681 4.269 9 .1532 3.891 10 .1382 3.510 11 .1233 3.1318 12 .1084 2.753 14 .0785 1.9939 16 .0635 1.6129 18 .0516 1.310 20 .0396 1.005 22 .0336 .853 24 .0276 .701 26 .0217 .551 28 .0187 .474 30 .0157 .398

 

Brass Gauge Chart*

Gauge
Number
Inches MM 7 .1443 3.665 8 .1285 3.264 9 .1144 2.906 10 .1019 2.588 11 .09074 2.305 12 .08081 2.053 14 .06408 1.628 16 .05082 1.291 18 .04030 1.024 20 .03196 .812 22 .02535 .644 24 .02010 .511 26 .01594 .405 28 .01264 .321 30 .01003 .255

Copper Gauge Chart*

Gauge
Number
Inches MM 7 .180 4.572 8 .165 4.191 9 .148 3.759 10 .134 3.404 11 .120 3.048 12 .109 2.769 14 .083 2.108 16 .065 1.651 18 .049 1.245 20 .035 .889 22 .028 .711 24 .022 .559 26 .018 .457 28 .014 .356 30 .012 .305

Is 14 or 18 gauge metal thicker?

Sheet Metal Gauge Chart

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