Converting Sheet Metal Measurements to Gauge

Working with sheet metal is difficult and meticulous work. The job, the metal type, and the thickness all work together to determine what processes and tools you will use to complete your job. Making the wrong decision during this process can be not only frustrating but costly.  One of the most difficult parts of this process is working with the interchangeable terms “gauge” and millimeters or inches. Communication between customers, project managers, and technicians is critical for these jobs and an understanding of how to convert measurements in inches or millimeters to a certain gauge can save time, money, and added headache for your jobs.

The gauge systems has roots in the metal fabrication industry and was started in the wire industry, to describe the diameter of the metal wire so that wire drawers could quote metal based on the number of draws they had to perform to achieve a certain diameter. Since then, it has become the primary way of describing the thickness of both wire and sheet metal. It is important to remember the the gauge system is totally separate from completely separate from the metric and imperial measurement systems.

There are slightly different gauge measurements for different types of metal, too, since gauge is derived from weight. Because there are different measurements depending on the type of sheet metal being used, a conversion chart should be consulted to ensure that the tools and processes being used fit the parameters for the job.  A quick way to find the gauge equivalent to a measurement in inches or millimeters is by using a conversion chart like the one that can be found below. An even easier way to measure the gauge of your materials is by using a material thickness gauge by Miller, which can be placed on your keyring and can be purchased here.

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