AWG is the American measurement unit for cable and equals the approximate cross section of a cable in mm².
The numerical value of this US American system denotes the respective conductor cross-section or rather, the conductor diameter. The numbers themselves are non-dimensional and are derived from a logarithmic relationship to a reference value (similar to the known measurement decibel). Since the calculation specification is rather unwieldy for daily use, a table is used which establishes the interrelationship between the AWG figure and the corresponding cross-section or rather diameter. It should be noted that the effective conductor cross-section is described and so for stranded cable, a space factor is considered which allows the cross-sectional area (wire and air) a size from 25% up to 40%.
Comparison list between AWG and cross-section in mm², whereby the equivalent cross-sectional surface of the AWG figure is up to 10 % above the stated metric comparison surface:
| AWG | mm² | theor. mm² |
| 20 | 0,5 | 0,517619 |
| 18 | 0,75 | 0,823047 |
| 17 | 1,0 | 1,037843 |
| 15 | 1,5 | 1,650235 |
| 13 | 2,5 | 2,623976 |
| 11 | 4,0 | 4,172286 |
| 9 | 6,0 | 6,634194 |
| 7 | 10,0 | 10,548782 |
| 5 | 16,0 | 16,773220 |
