Metal Gauge to Thickness
Metal Gauge to Thickness Converter (mm & inch)
Convert metal gauge to thickness—or thickness back to the nearest gauge—for stainless steel, carbon sheet steel and aluminum. Gauge is a lookup convention rather than a universal formula, so always select the correct material table.
1. Input
2. Result
Once gauge has been converted to actual thickness, use that thickness to calculate weight, price per piece, and the allowable dimensional tolerance.
Gauge Table — Selected Material
| Gauge | Thickness (mm) | Thickness (inch) |
|---|
Why Converting Metal Gauge to Thickness Matters
In international steel purchasing, thickness is commonly specified in millimeters, while many North American quotations and fabrication references still use gauge. Converting gauge to actual thickness helps align RFQs, drawings and supplier capabilities.
Procurement
Compare quotations consistently when one supplier quotes a gauge number while your drawing specifies millimeters.
Fabrication
Cutting, forming, bend radius and welding parameters depend on actual thickness rather than the gauge label alone.
Logistics
Thickness directly influences sheet or coil weight, pieces per ton and container-loading assumptions.
Gauge Is Not a Universal Formula
The same gauge number can represent different actual thicknesses for stainless steel, carbon sheet steel and aluminum. Gauge should therefore be treated as a material-specific lookup convention, not as one mathematical conversion formula.
After converting the gauge value, confirm your allowable deviation with the Dimensional Tolerance Calculator .
Common Gauge-to-Thickness Examples
| Example | Material | Gauge | Thickness (mm) | Thickness (inch) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Stainless Steel | 16 GA | 1.59 | 0.0625 | Enclosures, kitchen equipment, light structures |
| B | Sheet Steel | 18 GA | 1.21 | 0.0478 | General sheet-metal fabrication |
| C | Aluminum | 16 GA | 1.29 | 0.0508 | Lightweight panels and covers |
Full Gauge Chart: Stainless Steel vs Sheet Steel vs Aluminum
Use this combined chart for quick cross-checking. The interactive calculator above automatically displays the selected material's individual gauge table.
| Gauge | Stainless (inch) | Stainless (mm) | Sheet Steel (inch) | Sheet Steel (mm) | Aluminum (inch) | Aluminum (mm) |
|---|
From Gauge to Weight and Price per Piece
A gauge conversion is usually only the first step in a purchasing calculation. Once actual thickness is known, the workflow becomes:
How LYH Steel Supports Thickness-Control Requirements
For sheet, plate and coil purchasing, actual thickness, tolerance, surface condition and processing requirements should be aligned before production.
Processing Support
For custom-width and cut-to-size requirements, review Stainless Steel Slitting and Steel Shearing .
Additional purchasing information is available through the Knowledge Center and Export News .
FAQ: Metal Gauge to Thickness
1. Why does the same gauge differ by material?
Gauge systems are material-specific conventions developed separately for different metals. As a result, the same gauge number can correspond to different actual thicknesses in stainless steel, carbon sheet steel and aluminum.
2. Can I convert gauge to mm using one formula?
No. Gauge should be treated as a lookup table. Select the correct material system before converting the value.
3. What if my required thickness falls between two gauges?
In Thickness → Gauge mode, the calculator returns the closest gauge and marks the result as “Nearest.” For purchasing, specify the required thickness and allowable tolerance directly in the PO.
4. Does gauge affect shipping cost?
Indirectly. Gauge determines actual thickness within the selected material system, and thickness affects weight. After conversion, use the Metal Weight Calculator for freight and loading estimates.
5. How do I convert gauge into price per piece?
Convert the gauge into actual thickness, calculate the part weight from dimensions and density, then apply your price-per-ton basis. The Ton to Piece Price Calculator completes the commercial calculation.
6. How do I get an accurate quotation from LYH Steel?
Send the material grade, actual thickness, required tolerance, surface finish, width, length, quantity, processing requirements and destination through Contact LYH Steel .