Copper Wire Weight Per Foot Chart for All AWG Sizes

Publish on: 16-Jan-2026

Copper wire is used in homes, buildings, cars, and many other projects. If you are buying, cutting, shipping, or calculating copper wire, knowing the weight per foot is very important.

This guide explains copper wire weight per foot in a simple way. You will also find an easy-to-use weight chart and tips to help you choose the right wire.

Copper Wire Weight Per Foot Chart (Solid Copper)

Below is a general reference chart for solid copper wire commonly used in the USA.

Wire Gauge (AWG)	Weight per Foot (lbs)	Weight per Foot (grams)
6 AWG	0.162 lb	73.5 g
8 AWG	0.102 lb	46.3 g
10 AWG	0.064 lb	29.0 g
12 AWG	0.040 lb	18.1 g
14 AWG	0.025 lb	11.3 g
16 AWG	0.016 lb	7.3 g
18 AWG	0.010 lb	4.5 g
20 AWG	0.006 lb	2.7 g
22 AWG	0.004 lb	1.8 g

👉 These values are approximate and may vary slightly by manufacturer.

Why Copper Wire Weight Matters

Knowing the weight of copper wire helps you:

Estimate total project weight
Calculate shipping cost
Plan electrical installations
Price scrap copper
Avoid buying more wire than needed

Even a small difference in wire size can change the total weight a lot when the wire is long.

What Affects Copper Wire Weight?

The weight of copper wire per foot depends on a few simple things:

1. Wire Gauge (AWG)

In the USA, wire size is measured using AWG (American Wire Gauge).

Smaller AWG number = thicker wire = more weight
Larger AWG number = thinner wire = less weight

Example:

10 AWG is thicker and heavier than 14 AWG.

2. Solid vs Stranded Wire

Solid copper wire is one solid piece of copper.
Stranded wire is made of many small copper strands.

Stranded wire usually weighs slightly more than solid wire because of extra copper and air gaps.

3. Insulation Type

Bare copper wire weighs less than insulated wire.
Plastic insulation adds extra weight but does not change the copper weight itself.

Example: How to Calculate Total Copper Wire Weight

use our Copper Cable Weight Calculator. Just enter the cable size and length, and the tool will instantly show the total weight.

Let’s say you have:

100 feet of 12 AWG copper wire
Weight per foot = 0.040 lb

Calculation:

100 × 0.040 = 4.0 lbs

So, 100 feet of 12 AWG copper wire weighs about 4 pounds.

Copper Wire Weight for Common Home Wiring

In most US homes:

14 AWG → lighting circuits
12 AWG → outlets and kitchen circuits
10 AWG → heavy appliances

Quick reference:

50 ft of 14 AWG ≈ 1.25 lbs
100 ft of 12 AWG ≈ 4 lbs
50 ft of 10 AWG ≈ 3.2 lbs

Solid vs Stranded Copper Weight Difference

Wire Type	Weight Difference
Solid Copper	Standard weight
Stranded Copper	2–5% heavier

If weight is critical (like shipping or scrap), always check the wire type.

Copper Wire Weight for Scrap Value

Scrap yards usually pay by pounds.

Tips:

Remove insulation if possible
Separate wire by gauge
Weigh wire before selling

Example:

20 lbs of clean copper wire × scrap price = total value

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Confusing AWG size (smaller number is thicker)
Forgetting insulation weight
Mixing solid and stranded wire
Using metric wire charts for US projects

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does 1 foot of copper wire weigh?

It depends on the gauge.
For example:

12 AWG ≈ 0.040 lb per foot
14 AWG ≈ 0.025 lb per foot

Does insulation change copper weight?

No. Insulation adds extra weight, but the copper weight stays the same.

Is stranded wire heavier than solid?

Yes, slightly heavier for the same gauge.

Which copper wire is heaviest?

Lower AWG numbers like 6 AWG or 8 AWG are much heavier than thin wires.

Final Thoughts

Knowing the copper wire weight per foot makes planning easier and saves money. Whether you are working on a home project, buying wire, or selling scrap, this chart helps you make better decisions.

Always double-check wire specifications if you need exact weight for large projects.