Wire Gauge Reference Guide - Printer Friendly Version

Wire Gauge	Diameter in Millimeters	What It's Good For Making:
14 ga	1.65 mm	clasps thick jump rings chain maille jewellery neck rings bangle bracelets substantial formed links eye pins for beads with very large holes
16 ga	1.3 mm	clasps thick jump rings chain maille jewellery neck rings bangle bracelets substantial formed links eye pins for beads with large holes
18 ga	1.0 mm	more delicate clasps jump rings formed links eye pins, head pins wire-wrapping ear-wires (though 20 gauge is more common) fits through most bead holes
20 ga	0.8 mm	jump rings delicate formed links eye pins head pins wire-wrapped links split-rings earwires fits through most bead holes
21 ga	0.75 mm	many people buy this odd size gauge specifically for making earwires
22 ga	0.65 mm	wire-wrapping wire-wrapped head-pins wire-wrapped eye-pins fits through almost all bead holes
24 ga	0.5 mm	standard size for wire-wrapped bead links and head pins wire-wrapping fits through all but the smallest bead holes. Semi-precious gemstone beads and pearls often have smaller holes than other beads. This gauge fits through almost all of these.
26 ga	0.4 mm	for wire crochet wire-wrapped bead links and head pins wire-wrapping fits through all but the smallest bead holes. Semi-precious gemstone beads and pearls often have smaller holes than other beads. This gauge should fit through all of these.
28 ga	0.32 mm	for wire crochet wire-wrapping wire-weaving.