Wire Weight Calculator
Calculate the weight of copper electrical wire from its gauge (AWG) and length, using standard weight-per-1000-feet figures.
How this calculator works
Copper wire is sold and rated with a standard weight per 1,000 feet for each AWG gauge, since a fixed length of a given gauge always contains the same amount of copper. Once you know that per-1,000-foot figure, scaling it to your actual run length is a straight multiplication.
Formula: Weight = (weight per 1,000 ft for that gauge × length) ÷ 1,000.
Worked example
250 feet of 12 AWG copper wire, at 19.8 lb per 1,000 ft:
- Weight: 19.8 × 250 ÷ 1,000 = 4.95 lb
Reference
Copper wire weight per 1,000 ft
| AWG | Weight |
|---|---|
| 14 AWG | 12.4 lb |
| 12 AWG | 19.8 lb |
| 10 AWG | 31.4 lb |
| 8 AWG | 50.0 lb |
| 6 AWG | 79.5 lb |
| 4 AWG | 126.0 lb |
| 2 AWG | 200.0 lb |
Notes
These weight-per-1,000-foot figures are for the bare copper conductor as used in standard THHN/THWN wire. Larger gauges (lower AWG numbers) carry disproportionately more copper, so weight climbs fast as you move from 14 AWG up through 2 AWG and beyond.
How to use
Pick the AWG gauge of your copper wire and enter the total length you’re running. The calculator multiplies the standard per-1,000-foot weight for that gauge by your length to give the total weight.
Figures are for standard THHN/THWN copper conductors. Aluminum wire and different insulation types weigh differently — check your wire’s spec sheet for exact figures.
Frequently asked questions
How is wire weight calculated?
Copper wire has a standard weight per 1,000 feet for each AWG gauge, based on the amount of copper in the conductor. Multiply that per-1,000-foot figure by your total length in feet, then divide by 1,000 to get the total weight for your run.
Why does thicker wire weigh so much more?
AWG gauge numbers run backwards — a lower number means a thicker conductor. Thicker wire has more copper in cross-section, so its weight per foot climbs quickly as the gauge number drops. Going from 14 AWG to 2 AWG, for example, is roughly a sixteen-fold jump in weight per 1,000 feet.
Does this include the insulation?
No, these figures are for the standard THHN/THWN copper conductor itself, not the added weight of the outer jacket or insulation. Insulation adds a small amount of weight on top of the bare or coated-copper figures listed here, so total spool weight will run slightly higher.
Why do I need to know wire weight?
Wire weight matters for shipping and handling large spools, for estimating scrap or resale value of copper wire, and for load calculations when running long conductor lengths through conduit, cable tray, or overhead supports.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.