{"id":9825,"date":"2026-09-22T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/?p=9825"},"modified":"2026-10-27T05:28:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T05:28:10","slug":"awg-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"AWG Meaning: What the Wire Gauge Number Actually Tells You"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"rv2\">\n<div class=\"rv-site-header\">\n<div class=\"rv-header-in\"><a class=\"rv-brand\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/\" aria-label=\"SimplyWise home\"><span class=\"rv-bgi\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"SimplyWise\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/static-pages\/static\/main-landing-page\/assets\/brand\/wordmark-navy.svg');aspect-ratio:546\/87\"><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<nav class=\"rv-top-nav\" aria-label=\"Apps\">\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"rv-tn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/#ch-estimates\"><span class=\"rv-bgi rv-tn-ic\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/static-pages\/static\/main-landing-page\/assets\/icons\/cost-estimator.svg');aspect-ratio:64\/64\"><\/span><span class=\"rv-tn-name\">Estimates<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"rv-tn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/#ch-receipts\"><span class=\"rv-bgi rv-tn-ic\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/static-pages\/static\/main-landing-page\/assets\/icons\/receipt-scanner.svg');aspect-ratio:64\/64\"><\/span><span class=\"rv-tn-name\">Receipts<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"rv-tn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/#ch-mileage\"><span class=\"rv-bgi rv-tn-ic\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/static-pages\/static\/main-landing-page\/assets\/icons\/mileage-tracker.svg');aspect-ratio:64\/64\"><\/span><span class=\"rv-tn-name\">Mileage<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"rv-tn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/#ch-rooms\"><span class=\"rv-bgi rv-tn-ic\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/static-pages\/static\/main-landing-page\/assets\/icons\/room-scanner.svg');aspect-ratio:64\/64\"><\/span><span class=\"rv-tn-name\">Room scans<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"rv-tn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/#ch-visualizer\"><span class=\"rv-bgi rv-tn-ic\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/static-pages\/static\/main-landing-page\/assets\/icons\/visualizer.svg');aspect-ratio:64\/64\"><\/span><span class=\"rv-tn-name\">Visualizer<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<p><a class=\"rv-login\" href=\"https:\/\/simplywise.com\/login\">Log in<\/a><\/div>\n<nav class=\"rv-appbar\" aria-label=\"Apps\">\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"rv-ab\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/#ch-estimates\"><span class=\"rv-bgi rv-ab-ic\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/static-pages\/static\/main-landing-page\/assets\/icons\/cost-estimator.svg');aspect-ratio:64\/64\"><\/span><span class=\"rv-ab-name\">Estimates<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"rv-ab\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/#ch-receipts\"><span class=\"rv-bgi rv-ab-ic\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/static-pages\/static\/main-landing-page\/assets\/icons\/receipt-scanner.svg');aspect-ratio:64\/64\"><\/span><span class=\"rv-ab-name\">Receipts<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"rv-ab\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/#ch-mileage\"><span class=\"rv-bgi rv-ab-ic\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/static-pages\/static\/main-landing-page\/assets\/icons\/mileage-tracker.svg');aspect-ratio:64\/64\"><\/span><span class=\"rv-ab-name\">Mileage<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"rv-ab\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/#ch-rooms\"><span class=\"rv-bgi rv-ab-ic\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/static-pages\/static\/main-landing-page\/assets\/icons\/room-scanner.svg');aspect-ratio:64\/64\"><\/span><span class=\"rv-ab-name\">Room scans<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"rv-ab\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/#ch-visualizer\"><span class=\"rv-bgi rv-ab-ic\" aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/static-pages\/static\/main-landing-page\/assets\/icons\/visualizer.svg');aspect-ratio:64\/64\"><\/span><span class=\"rv-ab-name\">Visualizer<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Inter:wght@400;500;600;700;800&#038;display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n<style id=\"pm-style\">.single-post .entry-header,.single-post .entry-meta,.single-post .page-header,.single-post article>h1:first-child{display:none !important;}.single-post .post-tags,.single-post .entry-footer,.single-post .breadcrumb-nav{display:none !important;}.single-post article.post .entry-content{padding-top:0 !important;margin-top:0 !important;max-width:100% !important;width:100% !important;}.single-post .content-area,.single-post #primary,.single-post .site-main{padding:0 !important;max-width:100% !important;width:100% !important;}.single-post .row--index>.col-xs-12{padding-left:0 !important;padding-right:0 !important;}.single-post .row.no-pad>[class*=\"col-\"]{width:100% !important;max-width:100% !important;flex:0 0 100% !important;margin-left:0 !important;padding-left:0 !important;padding-right:0 !important;}.single-post article.post,.single-post article.pm{max-width:100% !important;width:100% !important;margin:0 !important;padding:0 !important;float:none !important;flex:0 0 100% !important;}.single-post .container,.single-post .container-fluid{max-width:100% !important;width:100% !important;padding-left:0 !important;padding-right:0 !important;}.single-post .row--index,.single-post .row.no-pad,.single-post .site-content{max-width:100% !important;width:100% !important;margin-left:0 !important;margin-right:0 !important;padding-left:0 !important;padding-right:0 !important;}.pm *{box-sizing:border-box;}.pm{margin:0;background:#f8fafc;color:#3f3f46;font-family:'Inter',-apple-system,'Segoe UI',sans-serif;font-size:16.5px;line-height:1.7;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;max-width:100%;width:100%;}.pm__inner{max-width:720px;margin:0 auto;padding:0 24px;}.pm a{color:#2563eb;text-decoration:none;font-weight:500;}.pm h1,.pm h2,.pm h3{color:#111827;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:-.025em;}.pm strong{color:#111827;font-weight:700;}.pm__hero{padding:72px 0 12px;text-align:center;background:#fff;border-bottom:1px solid #eef1f5;}.pm__crumb{font:500 13px Inter;color:#9ca3af;margin-bottom:20px;}.pm__eyebrow{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:7px;font:600 12px Inter;letter-spacing:.05em;color:#2563eb;background:#fff;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;box-shadow:0 1px 2px rgba(16,24,40,.04);padding:6px 13px;border-radius:999px;}.pm__eyebrow::before{content:\"\";width:6px;height:6px;border-radius:50%;background:#2563eb;}.pm__hero h1{font-size:45px;line-height:1.12;margin:22px auto 16px;max-width:660px;letter-spacing:-.03em;}.pm__rating{display:flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center;gap:8px;margin:4px 0 18px;font:600 13.5px Inter;color:#4b5563;}.pm__stars{color:#f59e0b;letter-spacing:2px;font-size:15px;}.pm__rating-sub{color:#9ca3af;font-weight:500;}.pm__dek{font-size:19px;line-height:1.55;color:#6b7280;max-width:600px;margin:0 auto 12px;}.pm__dek-cta{font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;color:#6b7280;max-width:600px;margin:0 auto 22px;}.pm__dek-cta a{color:#2563eb;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;border-bottom:1.5px solid rgba(37,99,235,.35);padding-bottom:1px;}.pm__dek-cta a:hover{border-bottom-color:#2563eb;}.pm__meta{display:inline-flex;gap:11px;align-items:center;color:#9ca3af;font:500 13px Inter;}.pm__meta i{width:3px;height:3px;border-radius:50%;background:#d1d5db;}.pm__fig{margin:40px auto 0;max-width:940px;padding:0 24px;}.pm__fig img{width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:16px;aspect-ratio:2\/1;object-fit:cover;box-shadow:0 8px 30px rgba(16,24,40,.10);display:block;}.pm__body{padding:44px 0 60px;}.pm h2{font-size:30px;line-height:1.18;margin:50px 0 16px;}.pm h3{font-size:20px;margin:28px 0 8px;}.pm p{margin:0 0 20px;}.pm ul,.pm ol{margin:0 0 20px;padding-left:24px;}.pm li{margin-bottom:8px;}.pm__tldr{background:#fff;border:1px solid #eceef1;border-radius:16px;box-shadow:0 2px 12px rgba(16,24,40,.05);padding:26px 30px;margin:0 0 20px;}.pm__tldr-label{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;font:700 11.5px Inter;letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#2563eb;margin-bottom:12px;}.pm__tldr ol{margin:0;padding-left:20px;color:#4b5563;font-size:15.5px;line-height:1.6;}.pm__tldr li{margin-bottom:7px;}.pm__tldr-cta{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;border-top:1px solid #dbe6ff;padding-top:16px;margin-top:14px;font-size:14.5px;}.pm__tldr-cta span{color:#111827;font-weight:500;}.pm__tldr-cta a{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;white-space:nowrap;padding:10px 20px;border-radius:8px;font-size:14px;font-weight:600;background:#2563eb;color:#fff;text-decoration:none;}.pm ol.pm__steps{list-style:none;counter-reset:s;padding:0;margin:20px 0 32px;display:grid;gap:10px;}.pm__steps>li{counter-increment:s;position:relative;background:#fff;border:1px solid #eceef1;border-radius:12px;padding:18px 22px 18px 66px;box-shadow:0 1px 2px rgba(16,24,40,.04);}.pm__steps>li::before{content:counter(s);position:absolute;left:18px;top:18px;width:34px;height:34px;background:#eff4ff;color:#2563eb;border-radius:9px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-weight:700;font-size:15px;}.pm__steps h3{margin:0 0 4px;font-size:17px;}.pm__steps p{margin:0;color:#6b7280;font-size:15.5px;}.pm__steps p+p{margin-top:10px;}.pm__table{width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;margin:18px 0 28px;font-size:15px;background:#fff;border:1px solid #eceef1;border-radius:12px;overflow:hidden;box-shadow:0 1px 2px rgba(16,24,40,.04);}.pm__table th{text-align:left;background:#fafafa;font:700 11.5px Inter;letter-spacing:.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#9ca3af;padding:12px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #eceef1;}.pm__table td{padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #f3f4f6;color:#4b5563;vertical-align:top;}.pm__table tbody tr:last-child td{border-bottom:none;}.pm__table tbody tr:hover{background:#fbfcff;}.pm__promo{background:linear-gradient(180deg,#f0f5ff,#eef4ff);border:1px solid #dbe6ff;border-radius:18px;padding:34px;margin:36px 0;text-align:center;}.pm__promo h2{margin:0 0 10px;font-size:25px;}.pm__promo p{color:#4b5563;font-size:16px;max-width:520px;margin:0 auto 18px;}.pm__callout{background:#fff;border:1px solid #dbe6ff;border-left:4px solid #2563eb;border-radius:12px;padding:18px 22px;margin:24px 0;color:#4b5563;box-shadow:0 1px 2px rgba(16,24,40,.04);}.pm__callout p:last-child{margin-bottom:0;}.pm__inline-cta{margin:4px 0 22px;font-size:14.5px;}.pm__inline-cta a{color:#2563eb;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;border-bottom:1.5px solid rgba(37,99,235,.3);padding-bottom:1px;}.pm__inline-cta a:hover{border-bottom-color:#2563eb;}.pm__btn{display:inline-block;background:#2563eb;color:#fff;font:600 15px Inter;padding:13px 26px;border-radius:10px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(37,99,235,.28);}.pm a.pm__btn{color:#fff;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;}.pm__btn--lg{padding:16px 34px;font-size:16px;}.pm__next{background:#fff;border:1px solid #eceef1;border-radius:14px;box-shadow:0 1px 2px rgba(16,24,40,.04);padding:22px 28px;margin:36px 0 20px;}.pm__next h2{font:700 11.5px Inter;letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#2563eb;margin:0 0 4px;}.pm__next ul{list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0;}.pm__next li{position:relative;margin:0;padding:12px 30px 12px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #f3f4f6;font-size:15px;line-height:1.5;color:#6b7280;}.pm__next li:last-child{border-bottom:none;padding-bottom:2px;}.pm__next li::after{content:\"\\203A\";position:absolute;right:6px;top:50%;margin-top:-12px;font:600 20px\/1 Inter;color:#c8d1de;transition:color .15s ease,transform .15s ease;}.pm__next li:hover::after{color:#2563eb;transform:translateX(3px);}.pm__next a{color:#2563eb;font-weight:600;}.pm__next a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}.pm__sources{background:#fff;border:1px solid #eceef1;border-radius:14px;padding:24px 28px;margin:36px 0;}.pm__sources h2{font:700 11.5px Inter;letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#9ca3af;margin:0 0 12px;}.pm__sources ul{list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0;}.pm__sources li{font-size:14.5px;color:#6b7280;padding:9px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #f3f4f6;}.pm__sources li:last-child{border-bottom:none;}.pm__pull{background:#f8fafc;padding:54px 0;text-align:center;}.pm__pull blockquote{margin:0 auto;max-width:760px;padding:30px 24px;border-top:1px solid #dbe1ea;border-bottom:1px solid #dbe1ea;color:#111827;font:600 25px\/1.4 Inter;letter-spacing:-.02em;}.pm__pull cite{display:block;margin-top:18px;color:#9ca3af;font:500 13px Inter;font-style:normal;}.pm__faq{padding:54px 0;background:#f8fafc;}.pm__faq h2{font-size:26px;text-align:center;margin:0 0 24px;}.pm__faq details{background:#fff;border:1px solid #eceef1;border-radius:12px;margin-bottom:10px;box-shadow:0 1px 2px rgba(16,24,40,.04);}.pm__faq summary{cursor:pointer;list-style:none;padding:17px 20px;font-weight:600;color:#111827;}.pm__faq summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none;}.pm__faq details>div{padding:0 20px 17px;color:#6b7280;font-size:15.5px;}.pm__faq details>div p{margin:0;}.pm__final{background:#0f1729;color:#cbd5e1;text-align:center;padding:76px 0;margin-top:20px;border-radius:24px 24px 0 0;}.pm__final .pm__eyebrow{background:rgba(37,99,235,.16);border:none;color:#93b4ff;box-shadow:none;}.pm__final h2{color:#fff;font-size:33px;margin:16px 0 12px;}.pm__final p{color:#94a3b8;max-width:520px;margin:0 auto 24px;}@media(max-width:600px){.pm__inner{padding:0 18px;}.pm__hero{padding:48px 0 8px;}.pm__hero h1{font-size:34px;}.pm__dek{font-size:17px;}.pm__dek-cta{font-size:14px;}.pm__meta{flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:center;gap:8px 11px;}.pm h2{font-size:24px;}.pm__next h2{font-size:11.5px;}.pm__next{padding:20px 22px;}.pm__next li{font-size:14.5px;}.pm__sources h2{font-size:11.5px;}.pm__fig{padding:0 16px;}.pm__fig img{aspect-ratio:16\/10;}.pm__steps>li{padding:18px 0 18px 56px;background:transparent;box-shadow:none;}.pm__steps>li::before{left:0;}.pm__table{display:block;overflow-x:auto;-webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch;font-size:13.5px;}.pm__table th,.pm__table td{padding:10px 14px;}.pm__tldr-cta{align-items:flex-start;}.pm__tldr-cta a{white-space:normal;}.pm__pull{padding:42px 0;}.pm__pull blockquote{font-size:21px;}.pm__faq{padding:44px 0;}.pm__final{padding:64px 0;}.pm__final h2{font-size:30px;}.pm__btn--lg{width:100%;text-align:center;}}.pm__cap{font:500 13px Inter;color:#9ca3af;margin:12px auto 0;max-width:720px;text-align:center;line-height:1.5;}@media(max-width:600px){.pm__cap{font-size:12px;padding:0 4px;}}<\/style>\n<p><script>\ndocument.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {\n  var sels = ['.entry-header','.page-header','article > h1:first-child','.entry-footer'];\n  sels.forEach(function(s){document.querySelectorAll(s).forEach(function(el){el.style.display='none';});});\n  var el = document.querySelector('.sw-a');\n  while (el && el !== document.body) {\n    el.style.maxWidth='100%'; el.style.width='100%'; el.style.padding='0'; el.style.margin='0';\n    el.style.float='none'; el.style.flex='0 0 100%';\n    el = el.parentElement;\n  }\n  document.body.style.marginTop='0'; document.body.style.paddingTop='0';\n});\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script>\n(function(){\n  try{\n    var b=document.body;\n    if(b && b.classList){b.classList.add('single-post');}\n  }catch(e){}\n})();\n<\/script><\/p>\n<style id=\"sw-rv2\">:root:has(.rv2),.rv2{--rv-ink:#0c0e1e;--rv-muted:#6c6a6a;--rv-body:#3a3c45;--rv-blue:#0071bd;--rv-blue-press:#005e9e;--rv-navy:#0c3859;--rv-navy-2:#0c3b5b;--rv-bg:#f5f4f2;--rv-tint:#eaf6fd;--rv-surface:#fff;--rv-line:#d9d9d9;--rv-line-soft:#e7e5e1;--rv-star:#f2a900;--rv-green:#076d3a;--rv-green-bg:#d4ebdf;--rv-r-card:22px;--rv-r-pill:999px;--rv-r-media:28px;--rv-r-ctl:16px;--rv-sh-card:0 1px 1px rgba(12,56,89,.04),0 12px 28px -18px rgba(12,56,89,.32);--rv-sh-link:0 0 0 1px rgba(12,14,30,.04),0 10px 26px -18px rgba(12,56,89,.4);--rv-sh-pill:0 0 0 1px rgba(12,14,30,.06),0 10px 22px -14px rgba(12,56,89,.45);--rv-sh-btn:0 10px 24px -14px rgba(0,113,189,.9);--rv-sh-media:0 0 0 1px rgba(12,14,30,.06),0 40px 80px -40px rgba(12,14,30,.55);--rv-font:Inter,ui-sans-serif,system-ui,-apple-system,'Segoe UI',Roboto,sans-serif}body:has(.rv2) .single-post .entry-header,body:has(.rv2) .single-post .entry-meta,body:has(.rv2) .single-post .page-header,body:has(.rv2) .single-post article>h1:first-child{display:none !important}body:has(.rv2) .single-post .post-tags,body:has(.rv2) .single-post .entry-footer,body:has(.rv2) .single-post .breadcrumb-nav{display:none !important}body:has(.rv2) .single-post article.post .entry-content{padding-top:0 !important;margin-top:0 !important;max-width:100% !important;width:100% !important}body:has(.rv2) .single-post .content-area,body:has(.rv2) .single-post #primary,body:has(.rv2) .single-post .site-main{padding:0 !important;max-width:100% !important;width:100% !important}body:has(.rv2) .single-post .row--index>.col-xs-12{padding-left:0 !important;padding-right:0 !important}body:has(.rv2) .single-post .row.no-pad>[class*=\"col-\"]{width:100% !important;max-width:100% !important;flex:0 0 100% !important;margin-left:0 !important;padding-left:0 !important;padding-right:0 !important}body:has(.rv2) .single-post article.post,body:has(.rv2) .single-post article.sw{max-width:100% !important;width:100% !important;margin:0 !important;padding:0 !important;float:none !important;flex:0 0 100% !important}body:has(.rv2) .single-post .container,body:has(.rv2) .single-post .container-fluid{max-width:100% !important;width:100% !important;padding-left:0 !important;padding-right:0 !important}body:has(.rv2) .single-post .row--index,body:has(.rv2) .single-post .row.no-pad,body:has(.rv2) .single-post .site-content{max-width:100% !important;width:100% !important;margin-left:0 !important;margin-right:0 !important;padding-left:0 !important;padding-right:0 !important}body:has(.rv2) .entry-header,body:has(.rv2) .page-header,body:has(.rv2) .entry-footer{display:none !important}body:has(.rv2){margin-top:0 !important;padding-top:0 !important}body:has(.rv2) #page,body:has(.rv2) #content,body:has(.rv2) .site-content,body:has(.rv2) .row--index,body:has(.rv2) .row--index>.col-xs-12,body:has(.rv2) #primary,body:has(.rv2) .site-main,body:has(.rv2) article.post,body:has(.rv2) .row.no-pad,body:has(.rv2) .row.no-pad>[class*=\"col-\"],body:has(.rv2) .entry-content,.rv2 .sw-t{max-width:100% !important;width:100% !important;padding:0 !important;margin:0 !important;float:none !important;flex:0 0 100% !important}body:has(.rv2){background:var(--rv-bg) !important}body:has(.rv2) #content,body:has(.rv2) .site-content{padding-bottom:0 !important;margin-bottom:0 !important}.rv2 .rv-site-header,.rv2 .rv-site-footer{font-family:var(--rv-font);-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased}.rv2 .rv-site-header ul,.rv2 .rv-site-footer ul{list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}.rv2 .rv-site-header li,.rv2 .rv-site-footer li{margin:0;padding:0}.rv2 .rv-site-header a,.rv2 .rv-site-footer a{border:0;box-shadow:none}.rv2 .rv-site-header{position:sticky;top:0;z-index:50;background:#fff;box-shadow:inset 0 -1px 0 var(--rv-line-soft)}.rv2 .rv-header-in{height:60px;max-width:1200px;margin:0 auto;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:16px;padding:0 20px}.rv2 .rv-brand{display:flex;align-items:center;min-height:44px;flex:none;border-radius:6px}.rv2 .rv-brand img{width:124px;height:auto;display:block}.rv2 .rv-top-nav{display:none}.rv2 .rv-login{flex:none;min-height:44px;padding:0 18px;display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;text-decoration:none;border:1px solid var(--rv-ink) !important;border-radius:999px;background:#fff;color:var(--rv-ink) !important;font:600 15px\/24px var(--rv-font);letter-spacing:-.005em}.rv2 .rv-login:hover{background:var(--rv-ink);color:#fff !important}.rv2 .rv-appbar{height:58px;background:rgba(255,255,255,.94);box-shadow:inset 0 1px 0 var(--rv-line-soft)}.rv2 .rv-appbar ul{display:flex;height:100%;max-width:560px;margin:0 auto;padding:4px}.rv2 .rv-appbar li{flex:1 1 auto;display:flex}.rv2 .rv-ab{flex:1 1 auto;min-height:44px;min-width:44px;padding:0 3px;border-radius:14px;white-space:nowrap;display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:3px;color:var(--rv-muted) !important;text-decoration:none}.rv2 .rv-ab-ic{width:26px;height:26px;border-radius:7px;flex:none;opacity:.6}.rv2 .rv-ab-name{font:600 12px\/14px var(--rv-font);letter-spacing:-.025em;white-space:nowrap;opacity:.85}.rv2 .rv-ab:hover{color:var(--rv-ink) !important}.rv2 .rv-ab:hover .rv-ab-ic,.rv2 .rv-ab:hover .rv-ab-name{opacity:1}@media (max-width:389px){.rv2 .rv-ab{padding:0 2px}.rv2 .rv-ab-name{font-size:11.5px;letter-spacing:-.03em}.rv2 .rv-ab-ic{width:24px;height:24px}}@media (min-width:768px){.rv2 .rv-ab{flex-direction:row;gap:8px}.rv2 .rv-ab-name{font-size:13px;line-height:16px}.rv2 .rv-brand img{width:136px}}@media (min-width:1024px){.rv2 .rv-header-in{height:72px;padding:0 48px}.rv2 .rv-appbar{display:none}.rv2 .rv-brand img{width:142px}.rv2 .rv-top-nav{display:flex;justify-content:center;flex:1 1 auto;min-width:0}.rv2 .rv-top-nav ul{display:flex;gap:2px}.rv2 .rv-tn{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;min-height:44px;padding:0 14px 0 10px;border-radius:999px;color:var(--rv-muted) !important;text-decoration:none;white-space:nowrap;font:500 15px\/24px var(--rv-font);letter-spacing:-.01em}.rv2 .rv-tn-ic{width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:6px;flex:none;opacity:.72}.rv2 .rv-tn:hover{color:var(--rv-ink) !important;background:rgba(12,14,30,.04)}.rv2 .rv-tn:hover .rv-tn-ic{opacity:1}}.rv2 .rv-site-footer{background:var(--rv-navy);color:rgba(255,255,255,.72);padding:30px 20px calc(22px + env(safe-area-inset-bottom));margin:0}.rv2 .rv-site-footer>div{max-width:1104px;margin:0 auto}.rv2 .rv-wm{width:132px;height:auto;display:block}.rv2 .rv-tag{margin:10px 0 14px;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.7)}.rv2 .rv-foot-links{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0 22px;margin:0 0 14px !important}.rv2 .rv-foot-links a{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;min-height:44px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.88) !important;font-size:15px;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none}.rv2 .rv-foot-links a:hover{color:#fff !important;text-decoration:underline}.rv2 .rv-site-footer small{display:block;color:rgba(255,255,255,.62);font-size:13px;line-height:18px}@media (max-width:389px){.rv2 .rv-foot-links{gap:0 14px}}@media (min-width:768px){.rv2 .rv-site-footer>div{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr auto;grid-template-areas:'wm links' 'tag links' 'copy copy';column-gap:32px;align-items:center}.rv2 .rv-wm{grid-area:wm}.rv2 .rv-tag{grid-area:tag;margin:8px 0 0}.rv2 .rv-foot-links{grid-area:links;margin:0 !important;justify-content:flex-end}.rv2 .rv-site-footer small{grid-area:copy;margin-top:18px;padding-top:16px;border-top:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.14)}}@media (min-width:1024px){.rv2 .rv-site-footer{padding:36px 48px 28px}.rv2 .rv-site-footer>div{grid-template-columns:auto 1fr auto;grid-template-areas:'wm tag links' 'copy copy copy';column-gap:28px}.rv2 .rv-tag{margin:0}}.rv2 .rv-h1-a,.rv2 .rv-h1-b{display:block}.rv2 .rv-h1-a{color:var(--rv-muted) !important}.rv2 .rv-h1-b{color:var(--rv-ink) !important}.rv2 h1 .rv-h1-a + br{display:none}.rv2 article.pm{background:var(--rv-surface);color:var(--rv-body);font-family:var(--rv-font);font-size:17px;line-height:1.7}.rv2 article.pm a{color:var(--rv-blue);font-weight:600;border-bottom:1.5px solid rgba(0,113,189,.28)}.rv2 article.pm a:hover{color:var(--rv-blue-press);border-bottom-color:var(--rv-blue-press)}.rv2 article.pm h1,.rv2 article.pm h2,.rv2 article.pm h3{color:var(--rv-ink);font-weight:600}.rv2 article.pm h2{font-size:34px;line-height:1.12;letter-spacing:-.035em}.rv2 article.pm h3{font-size:20px;line-height:1.3;letter-spacing:-.015em}.rv2 article.pm strong{color:var(--rv-ink);font-weight:600}.rv2 .pm .pm__hero{background:var(--rv-bg);border-bottom:0;padding:64px 0 8px}.rv2 .pm .pm__crumb{font:600 13px\/16px var(--rv-font);letter-spacing:.78px;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--rv-muted)}.rv2 .pm .pm__crumb a{color:var(--rv-muted);border-bottom:0;font-weight:600}.rv2 .pm .pm__eyebrow{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;background:#fff;color:var(--rv-ink);box-shadow:var(--rv-sh-pill);border:0;border-radius:var(--rv-r-pill);padding:8px 16px;font:600 13px\/16px var(--rv-font);letter-spacing:.78px;text-transform:uppercase}.rv2 .pm .pm__hero h1{color:var(--rv-ink);font-size:52px;line-height:1.02;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-.05em;max-width:760px}.rv2 .pm .pm__dek,.rv2 .pm .pm__dek-cta{color:var(--rv-muted)}.rv2 .pm .pm__dek{font-size:19px;line-height:1.55;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:-.01em}.rv2 .pm .pm__dek a,.rv2 .pm .pm__dek-cta a{color:var(--rv-blue);border-bottom-color:rgba(0,113,189,.3)}.rv2 .pm .pm__hero-cta-note{color:var(--rv-muted)}.rv2 .pm .pm__rating{display:inline-flex;margin:4px auto 18px;padding:8px 16px 8px 12px;gap:10px;background:#fff;border-radius:var(--rv-r-pill);box-shadow:var(--rv-sh-pill);font:800 13px\/13px var(--rv-font);letter-spacing:.26px;color:var(--rv-ink);text-transform:uppercase}.rv2 .pm .pm__stars{color:var(--rv-star);letter-spacing:2px;font-size:14px}.rv2 .pm .pm__rating-sub{color:var(--rv-muted);font:500 13px\/18px var(--rv-font);letter-spacing:0;text-transform:none}.rv2 .pm .pm__meta{color:var(--rv-muted)}.rv2 .pm .pm__meta i{background:var(--rv-line);width:4px;height:4px}.rv2 .pm .pm__hero{text-align:left}.rv2 .pm .pm__hero h1{margin:22px 0 16px}.rv2 .pm .pm__dek,.rv2 .pm .pm__dek-cta{margin-left:0;margin-right:0}.rv2 .pm .pm__hero-cta{align-items:flex-start;margin:0 0 22px}.rv2 .pm .pm__rating{margin:4px 0 18px;justify-content:flex-start}.rv2 .pm .pm__meta{justify-content:flex-start}.rv2 .pm .pm__fig{max-width:720px}.rv2 .pm .pm__fig img{border-radius:var(--rv-r-media);box-shadow:var(--rv-sh-media)}.rv2 .pm .pm__btn,.rv2 .pm a.pm__btn,.rv2 .pm .pm__tldr-cta a{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:12px;min-height:56px;padding:0 32px;border-radius:var(--rv-r-pill);background:var(--rv-blue);color:#fff;border:0;box-shadow:var(--rv-sh-btn);font:600 16px\/20px var(--rv-font);letter-spacing:-.01em;text-decoration:none}.rv2 .pm .pm__btn:hover,.rv2 .pm .pm__tldr-cta a:hover{background:var(--rv-blue-press);color:#fff}.rv2 .pm .pm__tldr-cta a{min-height:44px;padding:0 20px;font-size:15px}.rv2 .pm .pm__btn--lg{min-height:56px;padding:0 38px}.rv2 .pm .pm__tldr,.rv2 .pm .pm__sources,.rv2 .pm .pm__next,.rv2 .pm .pm__table-wrap,.rv2 .pm table.pm__table{background:#fff;border:0;border-radius:var(--rv-r-card);box-shadow:var(--rv-sh-link)}.rv2 .pm .pm__tldr{padding:26px 30px}.rv2 .pm .pm__tldr-label,.rv2 .pm .pm__sources h2,.rv2 .pm .pm__next h2{font:600 13px\/16px var(--rv-font);letter-spacing:.78px;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--rv-muted)}.rv2 .pm .pm__tldr ol,.rv2 .pm .pm__tldr li{color:var(--rv-body)}.rv2 .pm .pm__tldr-cta{border-top:1px solid var(--rv-line-soft)}.rv2 .pm .pm__tldr-cta span{color:var(--rv-ink)}.rv2 .pm .pm__sources li,.rv2 .pm .pm__next li{border-bottom-color:var(--rv-line-soft);color:var(--rv-muted)}.rv2 .pm .pm__next{background:var(--rv-bg);border:0;box-shadow:none;border-radius:var(--rv-r-card);padding:28px 24px;margin:36px 0 20px}.rv2 .pm .pm__next h2{font:600 28px\/1.1 var(--rv-font);letter-spacing:-.035em;color:var(--rv-ink);text-transform:none;margin:0 0 20px}.rv2 .pm .pm__next ul{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(180px,1fr));gap:16px;list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0;counter-reset:rvn}.rv2 .pm .pm__next li{counter-increment:rvn;position:relative;display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:flex-start;margin:0;padding:22px 22px 20px;background:#fff;border:0;border-radius:var(--rv-r-card);box-shadow:var(--rv-sh-link);font-size:14px;line-height:20px;color:var(--rv-muted)}.rv2 .pm .pm__next li:last-child{padding-bottom:20px;border:0}.rv2 .pm .pm__next li::marker{content:\"\"}.rv2 .pm .pm__next li::before{content:counter(rvn,decimal-leading-zero);display:block;font:600 13px\/16px var(--rv-font);letter-spacing:.78px;color:var(--rv-muted);margin:0 0 14px}.rv2 .pm .pm__next li::after{content:\"\";position:static;display:block;width:20px;height:20px;margin:18px 0 0;transform:none;background:url(\"\") center\/20px 20px no-repeat}.rv2 .pm .pm__next a{display:block;color:var(--rv-ink);border:0;font:600 18px\/22px var(--rv-font);letter-spacing:-.36px;margin:0 0 6px}.rv2 .pm .pm__next a::before{content:\"\";position:absolute;inset:0}.rv2 .pm .pm__next a:hover{color:var(--rv-blue);text-decoration:none}.rv2 .pm .pm__callout{background:var(--rv-tint);border:0;border-radius:var(--rv-r-card);box-shadow:none;color:var(--rv-body);padding:20px 24px}.rv2 .pm .pm__inline-cta a{color:var(--rv-blue);border-bottom-color:rgba(0,113,189,.3)}.rv2 .pm .pm__table-wrap{overflow-x:auto}.rv2 .pm .pm__table-wrap table.pm__table{box-shadow:none;border-radius:0}.rv2 .pm .pm__table th{background:var(--rv-bg);color:var(--rv-muted);font:600 13px\/16px var(--rv-font);letter-spacing:.78px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--rv-line-soft)}.rv2 .pm .pm__table td{color:var(--rv-body);border-bottom-color:var(--rv-line-soft)}.rv2 .pm .pm__table td strong{color:var(--rv-ink)}.rv2 .pm .pm__steps>li{border-top-color:var(--rv-line-soft)}.rv2 .pm .pm__steps>li:last-child{border-bottom-color:var(--rv-line-soft)}.rv2 .pm .pm__steps>li::before{background:var(--rv-blue);color:#fff;font:600 15px var(--rv-font);box-shadow:var(--rv-sh-btn)}.rv2 .pm .pm__steps p{color:var(--rv-body)}.rv2 .pm .pm__promo{background:var(--rv-tint);border:0;border-radius:var(--rv-r-card);color:var(--rv-body);box-shadow:none;padding:38px 34px}.rv2 .pm .pm__promo h2{color:var(--rv-ink);font-size:28px;letter-spacing:-.03em}.rv2 .pm .pm__promo p{color:var(--rv-body)}.rv2 .pm .pm__promo a:not(.pm__btn){color:var(--rv-blue);border-bottom-color:rgba(0,113,189,.3)}.rv2 .pm .pm__faq{background:var(--rv-bg)}.rv2 .pm .pm__faq h2{font-size:34px;letter-spacing:-.035em}.rv2 .pm .pm__faq details{background:#fff;border:0;border-radius:var(--rv-r-ctl);box-shadow:var(--rv-sh-card)}.rv2 .pm .pm__faq summary{color:var(--rv-ink);font-weight:600;letter-spacing:-.01em}.rv2 .pm .pm__faq details>div{color:var(--rv-body)}.rv2 .pm .pm__final{background:var(--rv-navy);color:rgba(255,255,255,.7);border-radius:0}.rv2 .pm .pm__final h2{color:#fff;font-size:40px;letter-spacing:-.045em}.rv2 .pm .pm__final p{color:rgba(255,255,255,.7)}.rv2 .pm .pm__final .pm__eyebrow{background:rgba(255,255,255,.08);color:#fff;box-shadow:inset 0 0 0 1px rgba(255,255,255,.14)}.rv2 .pm .pm__final a:not(.pm__btn){color:#fff}@media (max-width:600px){.rv2 .pm .pm__hero{padding:40px 0 6px}.rv2 .pm .pm__hero h1{font-size:clamp(34px,11.2vw,50px);letter-spacing:-.045em}.rv2 .pm .pm__dek{font-size:17px}.rv2 .pm .pm__rating{border-radius:var(--rv-r-ctl);max-width:100%;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;row-gap:4px}.rv2 .pm .pm__meta{justify-content:flex-start}.rv2 .pm .pm__fig{padding:0 18px}.rv2 article.pm h2,.rv2 .pm .pm__faq h2{font-size:26px}.rv2 .pm .pm__final h2{font-size:30px}.rv2 .pm .pm__btn,.rv2 .pm a.pm__btn{min-height:52px;padding:0 22px}.rv2 .pm .pm__btn--lg{width:100%}.rv2 .pm .pm__tldr,.rv2 .pm .pm__promo{padding:24px 22px}}.rv2 .pm .pm__inner{max-width:704px;padding:0 24px}.rv2 article.pm{font-size:17px;line-height:1.72}.rv2 article.pm p{margin:0 0 22px}.rv2 article.pm h2{font-size:36px;line-height:1.1;letter-spacing:-.04em;margin:64px 0 18px}.rv2 article.pm h3{font-size:20px;line-height:1.3;letter-spacing:-.02em;margin:32px 0 8px}.rv2 article.pm a{border-bottom:0;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:1px;text-underline-offset:3px;text-decoration-color:rgba(0,113,189,.35)}.rv2 article.pm a:hover{text-decoration-color:currentColor}.rv2 .pm .pm__hero{padding:56px 0 64px}.rv2 .pm .pm__eyebrow{background:transparent;box-shadow:none;padding:0;border-radius:0;color:var(--rv-ink);gap:8px}.rv2 .pm .pm__eyebrow::before{content:\"\";width:8px;height:8px;border-radius:50%;background:var(--rv-blue);box-shadow:0 0 0 4px rgba(0,113,189,.14)}.rv2 .pm .pm__hero h1{margin:14px 0 18px}.rv2 .pm .pm__dek{max-width:600px;color:var(--rv-muted)}.rv2 .pm .pm__fig{max-width:none;padding:0;margin:36px 0 0}.rv2 .pm .pm__fig img{aspect-ratio:16\/9}.rv2 .pm .pm__btn::after{content:\"\";width:18px;height:18px;flex:none;background:url(\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 20 20' fill='none' stroke='white' stroke-width='2' stroke-linecap='round' stroke-linejoin='round'%3E%3Cpath d='M4 10h12M11 5l5 5-5 5'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\") center\/18px no-repeat;transition:transform .2s ease}.rv2 .pm .pm__btn:hover::after{transform:translateX(3px)}.rv2 .pm .pm__btn,.rv2 .pm .pm__tldr-cta a,.rv2 .pm .pm__crumb a{text-decoration:none !important}.rv2 .pm .pm__next li{transition:transform .3s cubic-bezier(.22,.8,.24,1),box-shadow .3s cubic-bezier(.22,.8,.24,1)}.rv2 .pm .pm__next li:hover{transform:translateY(-3px);box-shadow:0 0 0 1px rgba(0,113,189,.25),0 18px 34px -18px rgba(12,56,89,.45)}.rv2 .pm .pm__next a{text-decoration:none}.rv2 .pm .pm__steps>li::before{border-radius:11px;background:linear-gradient(180deg,#0080af,#005d7f);box-shadow:0 2px 4px rgba(12,14,30,.25)}.rv2 .pm .pm__table th,.rv2 .pm .sw-cmp__table th{background:var(--rv-bg);color:var(--rv-muted);font:600 12px\/16px var(--rv-font);letter-spacing:.78px;text-transform:uppercase}.rv2 .pm .pm__table td,.rv2 .pm .sw-cmp__table td{font-size:15px;line-height:1.5}.rv2 .pm .pm__table tbody tr:hover{background:#fbfaf8}.rv2 .pm .sw-cmp__table{background:#fff;border-radius:var(--rv-r-card);box-shadow:var(--rv-sh-link);border:0;overflow:hidden}.rv2 .pm .sw-cmp__table td,.rv2 .pm .sw-cmp__table th{border-color:var(--rv-line-soft) !important}.rv2 .pm .sw-cmp__us,.rv2 .pm .sw-cmp__table .sw-cmp__us{background:var(--rv-tint) !important;color:var(--rv-ink)}.rv2 .pm .pm__callout{box-shadow:inset 3px 0 0 var(--rv-blue);border-radius:0 16px 16px 0}.rv2 .pm .pm__promo{text-align:left;padding:32px}.rv2 .pm .pm__promo p{margin-left:0;margin-right:0}.rv2 .pm .pm__promo>:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.rv2 .pm .pm__steps h3{margin:0 0 4px}.rv2 .pm .pm__steps p{margin:0}.rv2 .pm .pm__steps p+p{margin-top:10px}.rv2 .pm .pm__faq{padding:72px 0}.rv2 .pm .pm__faq h2{text-align:left;margin:0 0 28px}.rv2 .pm .pm__faq summary{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:16px;padding:18px 20px 18px 22px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.4}.rv2 .pm .pm__faq summary::after{content:\"\";flex:none;width:32px;height:32px;border-radius:16px;background:#fff url(\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 20 20' fill='none' stroke='%230c0e1e' stroke-width='1.8' stroke-linecap='round'%3E%3Cpath d='M10 4v12M4 10h12'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\") center\/16px no-repeat;box-shadow:inset 0 0 0 1px var(--rv-line);transition:transform .25s ease,background-color .2s ease}.rv2 .pm .pm__faq details[open] summary::after{transform:rotate(45deg);background-color:var(--rv-tint)}.rv2 .pm .pm__faq details>div{padding:0 22px 20px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.65}.rv2 .pm .pm__faq details{margin-bottom:12px}.rv2 .pm .pm__final{background:#fff;color:var(--rv-muted);text-align:left;padding:88px 0;margin-top:0}.rv2 .pm .pm__final h2{color:var(--rv-ink);font-size:44px;line-height:1.04;letter-spacing:-.045em;margin:16px 0 14px;max-width:620px}.rv2 .pm .pm__final p{color:var(--rv-muted);margin:0 0 28px;max-width:520px;font-size:18px}.rv2 .pm .pm__final .pm__eyebrow{background:transparent;box-shadow:none;color:var(--rv-orange)}.rv2 .pm .pm__final .pm__eyebrow::before{background:var(--rv-orange);box-shadow:0 0 0 4px #fbe5da}.rv2 .pm .pm__sources{padding:24px 26px}.rv2 .pm .pm__sources li{font-size:14px}@media (max-width:767px){.rv2 .pm .pm__inner{padding:0 20px}.rv2 article.pm h2{font-size:28px;margin-top:52px}.rv2 .pm .pm__hero{padding:36px 0 44px}.rv2 .pm .pm__fig{padding:0;margin-top:28px}.rv2 .pm .pm__fig img{aspect-ratio:4\/3}.rv2 .pm .pm__hero-cta,.rv2 .pm .pm__hero-cta .pm__btn{width:100%}.rv2 .pm .pm__hero-cta{align-items:stretch}.rv2 .pm .pm__final{padding:64px 0}.rv2 .pm .pm__final h2{font-size:32px}.rv2 .pm .pm__final .pm__btn,.rv2 .pm .pm__promo .pm__btn{width:100%}.rv2 .pm .pm__promo{padding:24px 20px}.rv2 .pm .pm__faq{padding:56px 0}.rv2 .pm .pm__next ul{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:0;background:#fff;border-radius:var(--rv-r-card);box-shadow:var(--rv-sh-link);padding:4px 18px}.rv2 .pm .pm__next li{box-shadow:none;border-radius:0;padding:16px 28px 16px 36px;background:transparent;border-bottom:1px solid var(--rv-line-soft)}.rv2 .pm .pm__next li:last-child{border-bottom:0;padding-bottom:16px}.rv2 .pm .pm__next li:hover{transform:none;box-shadow:none}.rv2 .pm .pm__next li::before{position:absolute;left:0;top:19px;margin:0}.rv2 .pm .pm__next li::after{position:absolute;right:0;top:18px;margin:0}.rv2 .pm .pm__next a{font-size:16px;line-height:20px}.rv2 .pm .pm__next{padding:22px 16px}.rv2 .pm .pm__table-wrap th:first-child,.rv2 .pm .pm__table-wrap td:first-child,.rv2 .pm table.pm__table th:first-child,.rv2 .pm table.pm__table td:first-child{position:sticky;left:0;z-index:1;background:#fff;box-shadow:1px 0 0 var(--rv-line-soft)}.rv2 .pm .pm__table-wrap th:first-child,.rv2 .pm table.pm__table th:first-child{background:var(--rv-bg)}}.rv2 .pm .pm__hero{background:radial-gradient(900px 420px at 92% -8%,rgba(0,113,189,.12),rgba(0,113,189,0) 70%),radial-gradient(600px 300px at 0% 110%,rgba(242,169,0,.07),rgba(242,169,0,0) 70%),var(--rv-bg)}.rv2 .pm .pm__eyebrow{color:var(--rv-blue-press)}.rv2 .pm .pm__tldr-label{color:var(--rv-blue-press)}.rv2 .pm .pm__faq{background:linear-gradient(180deg,var(--rv-tint) 0%,#f4f9fd 100%)}.rv2 .pm .pm__promo{background:radial-gradient(420px 220px at 100% 0%,rgba(0,113,189,.14),rgba(0,113,189,0) 70%),var(--rv-tint)}.rv2 .pm .pm__final{color:#fff;background: radial-gradient(circle at 88% 42%,rgba(255,255,255,0) 0 150px,rgba(255,255,255,.12) 151px 152px,rgba(255,255,255,0) 153px 230px,rgba(255,255,255,.08) 231px 232px,rgba(255,255,255,0) 233px),linear-gradient(135deg,#0071bd 0%,#005e9e 100%)}.rv2 .pm .pm__final h2,.rv2 .pm .pm__final p,.rv2 .pm .pm__final .pm__eyebrow{color:#fff}.rv2 .pm .pm__final .pm__eyebrow::before{background:#fff;box-shadow:0 0 0 4px rgba(255,255,255,.25)}.rv2 .pm .pm__final .pm__btn{background:#fff;color:var(--rv-navy);box-shadow:0 14px 30px -16px rgba(12,14,30,.6)}.rv2 .pm .pm__final .pm__btn:hover{background:#fff;color:var(--rv-blue-press)}.rv2 .pm .pm__final .pm__btn::after{background-image:url(\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 20 20' fill='none' stroke='%230c3859' stroke-width='2' stroke-linecap='round' stroke-linejoin='round'%3E%3Cpath d='M4 10h12M11 5l5 5-5 5'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\")}.rv2 .pm .pm__final a:not(.pm__btn){color:#fff}body:has(.rv2) #masthead,body:has(.rv2) #colophon{display:none !important}.rv2 .pm__prefsrc{text-align:inherit}.rv2 .pm__prefsrc a{text-decoration:none !important;border-bottom:0 !important}.rv2 .pm__prefsrc a:focus-visible{outline:2px solid var(--rv-blue);outline-offset:3px}.rv2 .rv-legacy-foot{display:none !important}.rv2 .rv-site-header p:not([class]),.rv2 .rv-site-footer p:not([class]){display:contents !important}.rv2 .rv-bgi{display:block;background-position:center;background-size:contain;background-repeat:no-repeat}.rv2 .rv-brand .rv-bgi{width:124px}@media (min-width:768px){.rv2 .rv-brand .rv-bgi{width:136px}}@media (min-width:1024px){.rv2 .rv-brand .rv-bgi{width:142px}}.rv2 .sw-c div[style*=\"display:flex\"]>br,.rv2 .sw-t div[style*=\"display:flex\"]>br{display:none !important}.rv2 .sw-c h1,.rv2 .sw-t h1{font-size:clamp(34px,11.2vw,52px) !important;line-height:1.02 !important;letter-spacing:-.045em !important}@media (min-width:1024px){.rv2 .sw-c h1,.rv2 .sw-t h1{font-size:52px !important;letter-spacing:-.05em !important}}@media (max-width:767px){.rv2 .sw-c section:first-of-type a[style*=\"border-radius:999px\"]:not([href*=\"preferences\/source\"]),.rv2 .sw-t section:first-of-type a[style*=\"border-radius:999px\"]:not([href*=\"preferences\/source\"]){display:flex !important;width:100% !important;justify-content:center !important;box-sizing:border-box !important;min-height:52px}}<\/style>\n<article class=\"pm\">\n<header class=\"pm__hero\">\n<div class=\"pm__inner\">\n<nav class=\"pm__crumb\">Blog &nbsp;&rsaquo;&nbsp; How to Estimate &nbsp;&rsaquo;&nbsp; AWG Meaning<\/nav>\n<p><span class=\"pm__eyebrow\">Contractor Glossary &middot; Electrical<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><span class=\"rv-h1-a\">AWG Meaning:<\/span> <span class=\"rv-h1-b\">What the Wire Gauge Number Actually Tells You<\/span><\/h1>\n<p class=\"pm__dek\">The AWG meaning: American Wire Gauge, the US size system for wire. Smaller number, thicker wire.<\/p>\n<p class=\"pm__dek-cta\">Pricing the electrical scope? <a href=\"https:\/\/swcostestimator.app.link\/ce-ai\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Estimate it from a photo<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"pm__rating\"><span class=\"pm__stars\">&#9733;&#9733;&#9733;&#9733;&#9733;<\/span> <b>4.8<\/b> <span class=\"pm__rating-sub\">on the App Store for SimplyWise Cost Estimator<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"pm__meta\">\n<span>SimplyWise<\/span><br \/>\n<i><\/i><br \/>\n<span>Updated September 22, 2026<\/span><br \/>\n<i><\/i><br \/>\n<span>5 min read<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"pm__prefsrc\" style=\"margin:16px 0 0;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=simplywise.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;min-height:36px;max-width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;padding:6px 14px;background:#fff;border:1px solid #dbe6ff;border-radius:999px;color:#2563eb;font:600 13.5px\/1.3 Inter,-apple-system,sans-serif;text-decoration:none;white-space:nowrap;\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewBox=\"0 0 48 48\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" style=\"flex:none\"><path fill=\"#EA4335\" d=\"M24 9.5c3.54 0 6.71 1.22 9.21 3.6l6.85-6.85C35.9 2.38 30.47 0 24 0 14.62 0 6.51 5.38 2.56 13.22l7.98 6.19C12.43 13.72 17.74 9.5 24 9.5z\"\/><path fill=\"#4285F4\" d=\"M46.98 24.55c0-1.57-.15-3.09-.38-4.55H24v9.02h12.94c-.58 2.96-2.26 5.48-4.78 7.18l7.73 6c4.51-4.18 7.09-10.36 7.09-17.65z\"\/><path fill=\"#FBBC05\" d=\"M10.53 28.59c-.48-1.45-.76-2.99-.76-4.59s.27-3.14.76-4.59l-7.98-6.19C.92 16.46 0 20.12 0 24c0 3.88.92 7.54 2.56 10.78l7.97-6.19z\"\/><path fill=\"#34A853\" d=\"M24 48c6.48 0 11.93-2.13 15.89-5.81l-7.73-6c-2.15 1.45-4.92 2.3-8.16 2.3-6.26 0-11.57-4.22-13.47-9.91l-7.98 6.19C6.51 42.62 14.62 48 24 48z\"\/><\/svg>Add SimplyWise as a preferred source<\/a><\/p>\n<figure class=\"pm__fig\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Several lengths of bare solid copper wire in two different thicknesses, bent into loose loops with the cut ends showing, laid on a plain pale background\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/0\/01\/Copper_wires.JPG\/1280px-Copper_wires.JPG\"\/><figcaption class=\"pm__cap\">Bare solid copper wire in two thicknesses. The gauge number describes that diameter. Photo by Mauro Cateb, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"pm__body\">\n<div class=\"pm__inner\">\n<aside class=\"pm__tldr\">\n<div class=\"pm__tldr-label\">At a glance<\/div>\n<ol>\n<li>AWG stands for American Wire Gauge. A smaller number means a larger conductor.<\/li>\n<li>ASTM B258 defines the diameters. The National Electrical Code decides what you may do with them.<\/li>\n<li>NEC Table 310.16 prints up to three ampacities per size, one per insulation temperature rating.<\/li>\n<li>NEC 240.4(D) caps the breaker anyway: 15 amps on 14 AWG copper, 20 on 12, 30 on 10.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"pm__tldr-cta\"><span>Turn the wiring into a priced quote.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/swcostestimator.app.link\/ce-ai\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">SimplyWise Cost Estimator<\/a><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<h2>What does AWG mean?<\/h2>\n<p>AWG stands for American Wire Gauge, the sizing system for round electrical conductors in the United States. The number runs backward: the smaller the number, the larger the wire. A 14 AWG solid copper conductor measures 0.0641 inches across, a 4 AWG measures 0.2043 inches. The gauge is a diameter, not an amp rating. That is the practical AWG meaning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"pm__inline-cta\"><a href=\"https:\/\/swcostestimator.app.link\/ce-ai\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">SimplyWise Cost Estimator<\/a> turns a photo of the work into an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds.<\/p>\n<h2>Why the numbers run backward<\/h2>\n<p>The scale is geometric. Six gauge numbers doubles the diameter: 14 AWG is 0.0641 inches, 8 AWG is 0.1285 inches, a ratio of 2.005. Two gauge numbers move the diameter about 26 percent and the cross section about 59 percent, because area follows the square.<\/p>\n<h2>The two standards behind the AWG meaning<\/h2>\n<p>Two documents govern an AWG size. One defines how big it is. The other decides what you may do with it.<\/p>\n<h3>ASTM B258 defines the size<\/h3>\n<p>ASTM B258 is the Standard Specification for Standard Nominal Diameters and Cross-Sectional Areas of AWG Sizes of Solid Round Wires Used as Electrical Conductors. Its scope covers the diameters and cross sections of every AWG size, plus equations for mass, resistance and rated strength. It says nothing about amperes.<\/p>\n<h3>NEC Table 310.16 sets the ampacity<\/h3>\n<p>Table 310.16 of the 2023 National Electrical Code prints three ampacity columns per size, one per insulation temperature rating. Copper and aluminum sit on different rows.<\/p>\n<table class=\"pm__table\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Conductor<\/th>\n<th>60&deg;C<\/th>\n<th>75&deg;C<\/th>\n<th>90&deg;C<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>14 AWG copper<\/td>\n<td>15 A<\/td>\n<td>20 A<\/td>\n<td>25 A<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>12 AWG copper<\/td>\n<td>20 A<\/td>\n<td>25 A<\/td>\n<td>30 A<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>10 AWG copper<\/td>\n<td>30 A<\/td>\n<td>35 A<\/td>\n<td>40 A<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>12 AWG aluminum<\/td>\n<td>15 A<\/td>\n<td>20 A<\/td>\n<td>25 A<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>You rarely get the 90&deg;C column. Under 110.14(C)(1)(a), terminations on circuits rated 100 amperes or less, or marked for 14 AWG through 1 AWG, are used only for 60&deg;C conductors, or for higher rated conductors whose ampacity is figured at the 60&deg;C value, unless the equipment is listed for the higher rating.<\/p>\n<h3>NEC 240.4(D) sets the breaker<\/h3>\n<p>This is the section that decides the breaker. 240.4(D) caps overcurrent protection on small conductors, 18 AWG through 10 AWG, whatever the ampacity table prints. Copper: 15 amperes on 14 AWG, 20 on 12, 30 on 10. Aluminum and copper clad aluminum: 15 amperes on 12 AWG, 25 on 10. Nothing larger than 10 AWG is capped by this section. The note under Table 310.16 points at it and adds that the cap applies after ambient and bundling corrections.<\/p>\n<h2>A worked example, start to breaker<\/h2>\n<p>Six current carrying 14 AWG copper THHN conductors share a raceway in an attic near 100&deg;F. THHN is rated 90&deg;C.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Table 310.16, 90&deg;C copper, 14 AWG: <strong>25 amperes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Ambient correction for 36&deg;C to 40&deg;C on a 90&deg;C conductor is 0.91. 25 x 0.91 = <strong>22.75 amperes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Adjustment for four to six current carrying conductors is 80 percent. 22.75 x 0.80 = <strong>18.2 amperes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>110.14(C)(1)(a) holds the termination to its listed column: <strong>15 amperes<\/strong> on 60&deg;C gear, <strong>20<\/strong> on 75&deg;C gear.<\/li>\n<li>240.4(D) caps 14 AWG copper at <strong>15 amperes<\/strong> after those corrections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pm__callout\">\n<p>The 18.2 loses. The 20 loses. <strong>The breaker is 15 amperes.<\/strong> Anyone quoting one number for 14 AWG skipped four steps.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Where the AWG meaning matters on a job<\/h2>\n<h3>On the takeoff<\/h3>\n<p>Wire is bought by gauge and by the foot, so the gauge drives the material line. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/electrical-estimate-template\/\">electrical estimate template<\/a> keeps it off the device counts.<\/p>\n<h3>At rough inspection<\/h3>\n<p>The inspector reads the conductor markings against the breaker in the panel. A 14 AWG conductor on a 20 amp breaker is a correction notice.<\/p>\n<h3>In the change that costs you<\/h3>\n<p>An added load often forces the next size up, which changes conduit fill and sometimes the breaker. That is a change order. If the drawings are silent, send a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/what-is-an-rfi-in-construction\/\">request for information<\/a> first.<\/p>\n<h2>Common mistakes<\/h2>\n<h3>Quoting one ampacity for a gauge<\/h3>\n<p>Most sizes carry three published ampacities, and the termination limit usually forces the lowest. Saying 12 AWG is 25 amperes is wrong more often than right.<\/p>\n<h3>Merging copper and aluminum<\/h3>\n<p>Different rows, different caps. A 12 AWG aluminum conductor is a 15 ampere conductor under 240.4(D). Minimum branch circuit size differs too: 14 AWG copper, 12 AWG aluminum.<\/p>\n<h3>Skipping the derates<\/h3>\n<p>Ambient temperature and bundling multiply against the table value first. In the attic above they were not what governed, but bundle ten conductors instead of six and the 50 percent factor drops 14 AWG copper to 11.4 amperes, under the cap.<\/p>\n<section class=\"pm__promo\">\n<h2>Price the electrical scope, not just the wire<\/h2>\n<p>SimplyWise Cost Estimator turns a photo into an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds, with material and labor lines. Pricing is $29.99\/mo or $239.99\/yr, about $20\/mo on annual, with a 7-day free trial.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"pm__btn\" href=\"https:\/\/swcostestimator.app.link\/ce-ai\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">SimplyWise Cost Estimator<\/a><br \/>\n<\/section>\n<h2>Read the AWG meaning in four steps<\/h2>\n<ol class=\"pm__steps\">\n<li>\n<h3>Read the number as a size<\/h3>\n<p>Smaller number, larger conductor. Confirm the material: copper and aluminum never share a row.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Find the insulation temperature rating<\/h3>\n<p>THHN is 90&deg;C, THW is 75&deg;C, TW is 60&deg;C. That rating picks your column.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Apply ambient and bundling corrections<\/h3>\n<p>Multiply the table value by the ambient factor, then by the adjustment factor for more than three conductors.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<h3>Take the lower of the termination limit and 240.4(D)<\/h3>\n<p>The termination rule pulls you down a column. The small conductor cap is a hard ceiling.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"pm__next\">\n<h2>Keep reading<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/construction-calculators\/\">Construction Calculators<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/electrical-estimate-template\/\">Electrical Estimate Template<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/what-is-a-punch-list\/\">What Is a Punch List<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/pricing\/\">SimplyWise Pricing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pm__sources\">\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<h3>The dimensional standard<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.astm.org\/b0258-14.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ASTM B258-14 scope and title<\/a> (2026-09-14).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.servicewire.com\/PdfCDN\/Solid-Bare.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Service Wire, bare solid copper data sheet<\/a> (2026-09-14).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>The code, 2023 edition<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.helukabel.us\/HELUKABEL\/Publications\/Technical-Documents\/Allowable-Ampacity-Tables.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">HELUKABEL, NEC 2023 ampacity tables<\/a> (2026-09-14).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/up.codes\/s\/conductor-sizing-and-overcurrent-protection\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Adopted text, E3705.1 and E3705.4.1<\/a> (2026-09-14).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/up.codes\/s\/small-conductors\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Adopted text, E3705.5.3<\/a> (2026-09-14).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Product<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/simplywise-cost-estimator\/id6670619664\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">SimplyWise Cost Estimator<\/a> (2026-09-09).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"pm__faq\">\n<div class=\"pm__inner\">\n<h2>Common questions about AWG meaning<\/h2>\n<h3>The number itself<\/h3>\n<details>\n<summary>What does AWG stand for?<\/summary>\n<div>\n<p>American Wire Gauge. It is the sizing system for round electrical conductors in the United States, and the number describes diameter, not amperage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Is a higher AWG number a bigger wire?<\/summary>\n<div>\n<p>No. The scale runs backward. A 14 AWG conductor is 0.0641 inches across and a 4 AWG is 0.2043 inches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<h3>Amps and breakers<\/h3>\n<details>\n<summary>How many amps can 12 AWG copper carry?<\/summary>\n<div>\n<p>Table 310.16 prints 20 amperes at 60 degrees C, 25 at 75 and 30 at 90. The termination rule usually forces the lower column, and 240.4(D) caps the breaker at 20 amperes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Why is 14 AWG protected at 15 amps when the table says 25?<\/summary>\n<div>\n<p>Because 240.4(D) is a separate limit on small conductors. It caps 14 AWG copper at 15 amperes after every ambient and bundling correction.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Does aluminum use the same AWG sizes?<\/summary>\n<div>\n<p>Yes, the same sizes, but a different row and a different cap. A 12 AWG aluminum conductor is limited to 15 amperes under 240.4(D).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"pm__final\">\n<div class=\"pm__inner\">\n<span class=\"pm__eyebrow\">Size it, price it<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Turn the wiring scope into a signed quote.<\/h2>\n<p>Snap a photo and get an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds. Free to try.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"pm__btn pm__btn--lg\" href=\"https:\/\/swcostestimator.app.link\/ce-ai\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">SimplyWise Cost Estimator<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n  \"headline\": \"AWG Meaning: What the Wire Gauge Number Actually Tells You\",\n  \"description\": \"AWG meaning, explained by a contractor. The gauge is a diameter, ASTM B258 defines it, and NEC 240.4(D) is what actually sets the breaker size.\",\n  \"author\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n    \"name\": \"SimplyWise\"\n  },\n  \"publisher\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n    \"name\": \"SimplyWise\",\n    \"logo\": {\n      \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/icon-512x512.png\"\n    }\n  },\n  \"datePublished\": \"2026-09-22\",\n  \"dateModified\": \"2026-09-22\",\n  \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\n    \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\n    \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/\"\n  },\n  \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/\",\n  \"image\": [\n    \"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/0\/01\/Copper_wires.JPG\/1280px-Copper_wires.JPG\"\n  ]\n}\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"HowTo\",\n  \"name\": \"How to Read an AWG Number\",\n  \"step\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n      \"position\": 1,\n      \"name\": \"Read the number as a size\",\n      \"text\": \"Smaller number, larger conductor. Confirm the material: copper and aluminum never share a row.\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n      \"position\": 2,\n      \"name\": \"Find the insulation temperature rating\",\n      \"text\": \"THHN is 90 degrees C, THW is 75 degrees C, TW is 60 degrees C. That rating picks your column.\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n      \"position\": 3,\n      \"name\": \"Apply ambient and bundling corrections\",\n      \"text\": \"Multiply the table value by the ambient factor, then by the adjustment factor for more than three conductors.\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"HowToStep\",\n      \"position\": 4,\n      \"name\": \"Take the lower of the termination limit and 240.4(D)\",\n      \"text\": \"The termination rule pulls you down a column. The small conductor cap is a hard ceiling.\"\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What does AWG stand for?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"American Wire Gauge. It is the sizing system for round electrical conductors in the United States, and the number describes diameter, not amperage.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Is a higher AWG number a bigger wire?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"No. The scale runs backward. A 14 AWG conductor is 0.0641 inches across and a 4 AWG is 0.2043 inches.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"How many amps can 12 AWG copper carry?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Table 310.16 prints 20 amperes at 60 degrees C, 25 at 75 and 30 at 90. The termination rule usually forces the lower column, and 240.4(D) caps the breaker at 20 amperes.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Why is 14 AWG protected at 15 amps when the table says 25?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Because 240.4(D) is a separate limit on small conductors. It caps 14 AWG copper at 15 amperes after every ambient and bundling correction.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Does aluminum use the same AWG sizes?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Yes, the same sizes, but a different row and a different cap. A 12 AWG aluminum conductor is limited to 15 amperes under 240.4(D).\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n  \"itemListElement\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n      \"position\": 1,\n      \"name\": \"Home\",\n      \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n      \"position\": 2,\n      \"name\": \"Blog\",\n      \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n      \"position\": 3,\n      \"name\": \"How to Estimate\",\n      \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/category\/how-to-estimate\/\"\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n      \"position\": 4,\n      \"name\": \"AWG Meaning: What the Wire Gauge Number Actually Tells You\",\n      \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/\"\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"rv-site-footer\">\n<div><span class=\"rv-bgi rv-wm\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"SimplyWise\" style=\"background-image:url('https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/static-pages\/static\/main-landing-page\/assets\/brand\/wordmark-white.svg');aspect-ratio:546\/87\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"rv-tag\">Smart tools for contractors<\/p>\n<ul class=\"rv-foot-links\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/simplywise.com\/login\">Log in<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/#program\">New Business Program<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/about\">About<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/support\">Support<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/privacy\">Privacy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/terms\">Terms<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/\">Blog<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><small>&copy; 2026 SimplyWise<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Estimates Receipts Mileage Room scans Visualizer Log in Estimates Receipts Mileage Room scans Visualizer Blog &nbsp;&rsaquo;&nbsp; How to Estimate &nbsp;&rsaquo;&nbsp; AWG Meaning Contractor Glossary &middot; Electrical AWG Meaning: What the Wire Gauge Number Actually Tells You The AWG meaning: American Wire Gauge, the US size system for wire. Smaller number, thicker wire. Pricing the electrical [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"91","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[181],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9825","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-how-to-estimate"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>AWG Meaning: American Wire Gauge, Explained for Contractors<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"AWG meaning: American Wire Gauge, the US size system for wire. Smaller number, thicker wire. Sizes, ampacity, and the NEC rule that sets the breaker.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"AWG Meaning: American Wire Gauge, Explained for Contractors\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"AWG meaning: American Wire Gauge, the US size system for wire. Smaller number, thicker wire. Sizes, ampacity, and the NEC rule that sets the breaker.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SimplyWise Cost Estimator\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-09-22T09:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-27T05:28:10+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/0\/01\/Copper_wires.JPG\/1280px-Copper_wires.JPG\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Daniel Chinchilla\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Daniel Chinchilla\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/awg-meaning\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/awg-meaning\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Daniel Chinchilla\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/c6b02975b13398fa4764650c8d5610ac\"},\"headline\":\"AWG Meaning: What the Wire Gauge Number Actually Tells You\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-09-22T09:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-27T05:28:10+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/awg-meaning\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1272,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/awg-meaning\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upload.wikimedia.org\\\/wikipedia\\\/commons\\\/thumb\\\/0\\\/01\\\/Copper_wires.JPG\\\/1280px-Copper_wires.JPG\",\"articleSection\":[\"How to Estimate\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/awg-meaning\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/awg-meaning\\\/\",\"name\":\"AWG Meaning: American Wire Gauge, Explained for Contractors\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/awg-meaning\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/awg-meaning\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upload.wikimedia.org\\\/wikipedia\\\/commons\\\/thumb\\\/0\\\/01\\\/Copper_wires.JPG\\\/1280px-Copper_wires.JPG\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-09-22T09:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-27T05:28:10+00:00\",\"description\":\"AWG meaning: American Wire Gauge, the US size system for wire. Smaller number, thicker wire. Sizes, ampacity, and the NEC rule that sets the breaker.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/awg-meaning\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/awg-meaning\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/awg-meaning\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upload.wikimedia.org\\\/wikipedia\\\/commons\\\/thumb\\\/0\\\/01\\\/Copper_wires.JPG\\\/1280px-Copper_wires.JPG\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/upload.wikimedia.org\\\/wikipedia\\\/commons\\\/thumb\\\/0\\\/01\\\/Copper_wires.JPG\\\/1280px-Copper_wires.JPG\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/awg-meaning\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"AWG Meaning: What the Wire Gauge Number Actually Tells You\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"SimplyWise Cost Estimator\",\"description\":\"Blog\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"SimplyWise Cost Estimator\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/simplywise-logo-512x512-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/simplywise-logo-512x512-1.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"SimplyWise Cost Estimator\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crunchbase.com\\\/organization\\\/simplywise\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/c6b02975b13398fa4764650c8d5610ac\",\"name\":\"Daniel Chinchilla\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/1b1ee77005dde5ba597d7ae9e0e68fa11a123fd406740e5e70c7c1ed738d177f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/1b1ee77005dde5ba597d7ae9e0e68fa11a123fd406740e5e70c7c1ed738d177f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/1b1ee77005dde5ba597d7ae9e0e68fa11a123fd406740e5e70c7c1ed738d177f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Daniel Chinchilla\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.simplywise.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/daniel\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"AWG Meaning: American Wire Gauge, Explained for Contractors","description":"AWG meaning: American Wire Gauge, the US size system for wire. Smaller number, thicker wire. Sizes, ampacity, and the NEC rule that sets the breaker.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"AWG Meaning: American Wire Gauge, Explained for Contractors","og_description":"AWG meaning: American Wire Gauge, the US size system for wire. Smaller number, thicker wire. Sizes, ampacity, and the NEC rule that sets the breaker.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/","og_site_name":"SimplyWise Cost Estimator","article_published_time":"2026-09-22T09:00:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-10-27T05:28:10+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/0\/01\/Copper_wires.JPG\/1280px-Copper_wires.JPG","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"Daniel Chinchilla","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Daniel Chinchilla","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/"},"author":{"name":"Daniel Chinchilla","@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/c6b02975b13398fa4764650c8d5610ac"},"headline":"AWG Meaning: What the Wire Gauge Number Actually Tells You","datePublished":"2026-09-22T09:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-27T05:28:10+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/"},"wordCount":1272,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/0\/01\/Copper_wires.JPG\/1280px-Copper_wires.JPG","articleSection":["How to Estimate"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/","url":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/","name":"AWG Meaning: American Wire Gauge, Explained for Contractors","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/0\/01\/Copper_wires.JPG\/1280px-Copper_wires.JPG","datePublished":"2026-09-22T09:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-10-27T05:28:10+00:00","description":"AWG meaning: American Wire Gauge, the US size system for wire. Smaller number, thicker wire. Sizes, ampacity, and the NEC rule that sets the breaker.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/0\/01\/Copper_wires.JPG\/1280px-Copper_wires.JPG","contentUrl":"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/0\/01\/Copper_wires.JPG\/1280px-Copper_wires.JPG"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/awg-meaning\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"AWG Meaning: What the Wire Gauge Number Actually Tells You"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/","name":"SimplyWise Cost Estimator","description":"Blog","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"SimplyWise Cost Estimator","url":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/simplywise-logo-512x512-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/simplywise-logo-512x512-1.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"SimplyWise Cost Estimator"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.crunchbase.com\/organization\/simplywise"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/c6b02975b13398fa4764650c8d5610ac","name":"Daniel Chinchilla","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1b1ee77005dde5ba597d7ae9e0e68fa11a123fd406740e5e70c7c1ed738d177f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1b1ee77005dde5ba597d7ae9e0e68fa11a123fd406740e5e70c7c1ed738d177f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1b1ee77005dde5ba597d7ae9e0e68fa11a123fd406740e5e70c7c1ed738d177f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Daniel Chinchilla"},"url":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/author\/daniel\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9825","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9825"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9825\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12844,"href":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9825\/revisions\/12844"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9825"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9825"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.simplywise.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9825"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}