Between its neighbours
2 AWG has 26 % more copper than 3 AWG and 21 % less than 1 AWG. Its DC resistance is 0.194 Ω per 1000 ft at 75 °C (aluminum 0.319), and 1000 ft of it carries 200.9 lb of copper.
2 AWG wire: amps, diameter & uses
2 AWG copper is 0.2576" solid (0.292" as 7-strand) and 33.6 mm². Table 310.16 rates it 95 / 115 / 130 A at 60 / 75 / 90 °C, so it protects up to a 110 A breaker on 75 °C terminals; aluminum of this size carries 90 A. Typical use: 100–125 A feeders, 2/3 NM-B and large inverter cables.
01 · 1:1 wire gauge · caliper
2 AWG · concentric stranded copper
THIS IS:
2 AWG COPPER · 110 A BREAKER · 6.54 MM COPPER
Gauge
2 AWG
concentric stranded copper
Breaker
110 A
copper, max
Measured
7.42 mm
0.2920"
The gap is 7.42 mm (0.2920"), which reads as 2 AWG concentric stranded copper. Measure bare copper for the gauge: insulation is far thicker than the metal.
- Meets NEC 2023 Table 310.16 at 75°C — verify with your local AHJ/inspector310.16
- Drawn at true sizecalibrated screen
2 AWG
- Solid diameter
- 0.258"6.54 mm · ASTM B258 formula
- Stranded (7 strands)
- 0.292"7.42 mm · Table 8
- THHN outside
- 0.384"9.75 mm · 0.1158 in² · Table 5
- Area
- 66,360 cmil33.63 mm² · nearest IEC 35 mm²
- DC resistance, 75 °C
- 0.194 Ω/1000 ftaluminum 0.319 Ω/1000 ft · Table 8
- Copper weight
- 200.9 lb/1000 ft
Ampacity
- Copper 60 / 75 / 90 °C
- 95 / 115 / 130 ANM-B uses the 60 °C column (334.80)
- Aluminum 60 / 75 / 90 °C
- 75 / 90 / 100 A
- Largest breaker (Cu, 75 °C)
- 110 Aampacity ≥ breaker
Other gauges
- Nearest SWG
- SWG 10.3" · 7.62 mm
- IEC 60228
- 35 mm²between 25 and 35 mm²
2 AWG at a glance
Size
- Solid diameter
- 0.2576" · 6.54 mm
- Stranded (7)
- 0.292"
- THHN outside
- 0.384"
- Area
- 66,360 cmil · 33.63 mm²
- Metric
- 25 – 35 mm²
- SWG nearest
- 3 (6.401 mm)
Amps
- Copper 60/75/90 °C
- 95 / 115 / 130 A
- Aluminum 75 °C
- 90 A
- Max breaker, THHN
- 110 A
- As NM-B cable
- not made
- Ground for it
- 6 AWG
Run & fit
- 120 V at 88 A
- 105 ft at 3 %
- 240 V at 88 A
- 210 ft at 3 %
- THHN in ½" EMT
- 1
- THHN in ¾" EMT
- 1
- Copper weight
- 200.9 lb/1000 ft
2 AWG reference 25 rows
Sort any column, print a shop sheet, download CSV. Click a row to load it in the calculator.
| Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 927 | 9278 | 18556 | ||
| 463 | 4639 | 9278 | ||
| 185 | 1855 | 3711 | ||
| 92 | 927 | 1855 | ||
| 61 | 618 | 1237 | ||
| 46 | 463 | 927 | ||
| 30 | 309 | 618 | ||
| 23 | 231 | 463 | ||
| 15 | 154 | 309 | ||
| 11 | 115 | 231 | ||
| 9 | 92 | 185 |
| Actions | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 11 | ||
| 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 11 | ||
| 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 10 | ||
| 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 12 | ||
| 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 11 | ||
| 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 11 | ||
| 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 11 |
05 / Field guide
2 AWG
feeder copper.
2 AWG copper is 0.2576" solid (0.292" as 7-strand) and 33.6 mm². Table 310.16 rates it 95 / 115 / 130 A at 60 / 75 / 90 °C, so it protects up to a 110 A breaker on 75 °C terminals; aluminum of this size carries 90 A. Typical use: 100–125 A feeders, 2/3 NM-B and large inverter cables.
Feeders and services
2 AWG is the usual choice for 100–125 A feeders, 2/3 NM-B and large inverter cables. It is not made as NM-B cable; use THHN or XHHW in conduit, or SER/USE cable. The equipment ground for its largest breaker is 6 AWG.
On the 1:1 gauge
The caliper above opens at 6.54 mm. Lay a stripped length along the lines and step the gauge with ← and → until the wire just fills the gap.
Questions
Answered plainly.
01How many amps can 2 AWG wire carry?
+−
2 AWG copper is rated 95 A at 60 °C, 115 A at 75 °C and 130 A at 90 °C (NEC Table 310.16, 30 °C, three conductors or fewer). Aluminum of the same size: 90 A at 75 °C.
02What size breaker for 2 AWG wire?
+−
Up to 110 A with THHN on 75 °C terminals; the next size up is allowed by 240.4(B) only where the ampacity is not itself a standard rating.
03What is the diameter of 2 AWG wire?
+−
0.2576 inch (6.54 mm) solid, 0.292 inch stranded (7 strands), about 0.384 inch with THHN insulation.
04What is 2 AWG in mm²?
+−
33.63 mm² (66,360 circular mils). The IEC sizes either side are 25 and 35 mm²; replace it with 35 mm², not the smaller one.
05How far can 2 AWG wire run?
+−
At 88 A and 3 % drop, 105 ft one way at 120 V and 210 ft at 240 V (Table 8 resistance, 0.194 Ω per 1000 ft at 75 °C). Lighter loads go proportionally further.
06How many 2 AWG wires fit in ½" EMT?
+−
1 THHN conductors in ½" EMT, 1 in ¾" and 3 in 1" (NEC Chapter 9, 40 % fill for three or more).
07Can 2 AWG be used for a house service?
+−
Yes: by the 83 % rule (310.12) 2 AWG copper serves a dwelling’s 125 A service, or the feeder carrying its whole load. A subpanel feeder does not get the 83 % rule.