September 9, 2026
Sheet Metal Gauge Chart: Steel, Stainless Steel & Aluminum
Sheet Metal Gauge Chart: Steel, Stainless Steel & Aluminum
Need to convert sheet metal gauge to thickness?
Use the chart below to find the nominal thickness of carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum sheet in both inches and millimeters.
One important thing to remember: the same gauge number does not mean the same thickness for every metal. For example, 16-gauge carbon steel, 16-gauge stainless steel, and 16-gauge aluminum are three different thicknesses.
Sheet Metal Gauge Thickness Chart
Gauge | Carbon Steel | Stainless Steel | Aluminum |
|---|---|---|---|
7 | .1793" / 4.55 mm | .1875" / 4.76 mm | .1443" / 3.67 mm |
8 | .1644" / 4.18 mm | .1719" / 4.37 mm | .1285" / 3.26 mm |
9 | .1495" / 3.80 mm | .1563" / 3.97 mm | .1144" / 2.91 mm |
10 | .1345" / 3.42 mm | .1406" / 3.57 mm | .1019" / 2.59 mm |
11 | .1196" / 3.04 mm | .1250" / 3.18 mm | .0907" / 2.30 mm |
12 | .1046" / 2.66 mm | .1094" / 2.78 mm | .0808" / 2.05 mm |
13 | .0897" / 2.28 mm | .0938" / 2.38 mm | .0720" / 1.83 mm |
14 | .0747" / 1.90 mm | .0781" / 1.98 mm | .0641" / 1.63 mm |
15 | .0673" / 1.71 mm | .0703" / 1.79 mm | .0571" / 1.45 mm |
16 | .0598" / 1.52 mm | .0625" / 1.59 mm | .0508" / 1.29 mm |
17 | .0538" / 1.37 mm | .0563" / 1.43 mm | .0453" / 1.15 mm |
18 | .0478" / 1.21 mm | .0500" / 1.27 mm | .0403" / 1.02 mm |
19 | .0418" / 1.06 mm | .0438" / 1.11 mm | .0359" / .91 mm |
20 | .0359" / .91 mm | .0375" / .95 mm | .0320" / .81 mm |
21 | .0329" / .84 mm | .0344" / .87 mm | .0285" / .72 mm |
22 | .0299" / .76 mm | .0313" / .80 mm | .0253" / .64 mm |
23 | .0269" / .68 mm | .0281" / .71 mm | .0226" / .57 mm |
24 | .0239" / .61 mm | .0250" / .64 mm | .0201" / .51 mm |
25 | .0209" / .53 mm | .0219" / .56 mm | .0179" / .45 mm |
26 | .0179" / .45 mm | .0188" / .48 mm | .0159" / .40 mm |
27 | .0164" / .42 mm | .0172" / .44 mm | .0142" / .36 mm |
28 | .0149" / .38 mm | .0156" / .40 mm | .0126" / .32 mm |
29 | .0135" / .34 mm | .0141" / .36 mm | .0113" / .29 mm |
30 | .0120" / .30 mm | .0125" / .32 mm | .0100" / .25 mm |
Thicknesses shown are nominal. Actual material thickness can vary within applicable manufacturing tolerances.
How Does Sheet Metal Gauge Work?
Sheet metal gauge is a system used to identify metal thickness. The part that sometimes causes confusion is that a higher gauge number means thinner metal.
For example:
10-gauge carbon steel is .1345 inches thick.
14-gauge carbon steel is .0747 inches thick.
16-gauge carbon steel is .0598 inches thick.
20-gauge carbon steel is .0359 inches thick.
Gauge also isn't a universal measurement across metals. Carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum use different gauge-to-thickness relationships.
That's why simply asking for "16-gauge sheet" isn't always enough. The material matters too.
Is 16-Gauge Steel the Same Thickness as 16-Gauge Aluminum?
No.
16-gauge carbon steel is approximately .0598 inches thick, while 16-gauge aluminum is approximately .0508 inches thick. Meanwhile, 16-gauge stainless steel is approximately .0625 inches thick.
Material | 16-Gauge Thickness |
|---|---|
Carbon Steel | .0598" |
Stainless Steel | .0625" |
Aluminum | .0508" |
When you're ordering material, specify both the metal type or grade and the required gauge or decimal thickness to help avoid confusion.
Common Steel Gauge Thicknesses
Sometimes you don't need an entire chart. You just need an answer.
How thick is 10-gauge steel?
10-gauge carbon steel is .1345 inches (3.42 mm) thick.
How thick is 11-gauge steel?
11-gauge carbon steel is .1196 inches (3.04 mm) thick. That's slightly thinner than 1/8 inch (.125").
How thick is 12-gauge steel?
12-gauge carbon steel is .1046 inches (2.66 mm) thick.
How thick is 14-gauge steel?
14-gauge carbon steel is .0747 inches (1.90 mm) thick.
How thick is 16-gauge steel?
16-gauge carbon steel is .0598 inches (1.52 mm) thick. That's just under 1/16 inch (.0625").
How thick is 18-gauge steel?
18-gauge carbon steel is .0478 inches (1.21 mm) thick.
How thick is 20-gauge steel?
20-gauge carbon steel is .0359 inches (.91 mm) thick.
Gauge vs. Decimal or Fractional Thickness
Not all metal is ordered by gauge.
As material gets thicker, you'll frequently see it specified using decimal or fractional thickness instead—for example:
.125"
3/16"
1/4"
3/8"
1/2"
This is especially common with steel plate.
Here's where it can get confusing: gauge measurements don't always line up exactly with common fractions.
Take 11-gauge carbon steel. At .1196", it's close to 1/8", but it isn't exactly the same as .125".
If a print or job requires a specific thickness, don't assume that a nearby gauge is interchangeable. Confirm the material specification and tolerance before ordering.
What Gauge Sheet Metal Do I Need?
There's no single "best" gauge of sheet metal.
The right thickness depends on what you're making and what the part needs to do.
Some factors to consider include:
Consideration | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
Load | Parts carrying more weight may require thicker material. |
Rigidity | Thicker sheet generally provides greater stiffness. |
Forming | Material thickness can affect bending and forming requirements. |
Welding | Thickness influences welding processes and settings. |
Weight | Thinner material can help reduce overall part weight. |
Environment | Exposure to moisture, chemicals, heat, or weather may influence the material and grade you select. |
Machining/fabrication | Available equipment and processes can influence practical thickness choices. |
Material grade matters, too. A change in thickness isn't necessarily a substitute for selecting a material with the mechanical or corrosion-resistance properties the application requires.
When in doubt, start with the requirements on your print, drawing, or material specification.
Carbon Steel vs. Stainless vs. Aluminum Gauge
Gauge isn't the only consideration when choosing sheet metal. The material itself can have a much bigger impact on how the finished part performs.
Carbon steel is widely used for fabricated parts, brackets, equipment, frames, panels, and general manufacturing applications where strength, availability, and cost are important considerations.
Stainless steel is often selected when corrosion resistance, durability, appearance, or sanitation is important. Common applications include food-processing equipment, medical equipment, architectural components, and outdoor applications.
Aluminum combines low weight with corrosion resistance and is available in a wide range of alloys. It's commonly used for enclosures, panels, automotive components, marine applications, aerospace components, and other applications where reducing weight matters.
The right choice depends on your application—not just the gauge.
Ready to Find the Metal?
Knowing the thickness is one thing. Finding the material you need is another.
SteelNow can help you source carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum in the grades, sizes, and quantities your job requires.
Already know what you need? Search available metal online.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sheet Metal Gauge
Does a higher gauge mean thicker metal?
No. Higher gauge numbers generally indicate thinner sheet metal. For example, 10-gauge carbon steel is .1345" thick while 20-gauge carbon steel is .0359" thick.
What gauge is 1/8-inch steel?
There isn't an exact standard steel gauge equivalent to 1/8 inch. 11-gauge carbon steel is .1196" thick, making it close to 1/8" (.125"), but the two thicknesses aren't identical.
What gauge is 1/16-inch steel?
16-gauge carbon steel is approximately .0598", which is close to 1/16" (.0625"), but it isn't an exact equivalent.
Is stainless steel the same thickness as carbon steel at the same gauge?
No. Gauge thickness varies by material. For example, 16-gauge stainless steel is .0625", while 16-gauge carbon steel is .0598".
Is aluminum gauge the same as steel gauge?
No. Aluminum and steel use different gauge-to-thickness relationships. For example, 16-gauge aluminum is .0508" thick compared with .0598" for 16-gauge carbon steel.
Should I order sheet metal by gauge or thickness?
Follow the material specification for your application. If exact thickness is important, specifying the required decimal thickness and applicable tolerance can help avoid ambiguity.