Wire Gauge Sizes

In the UK and USA, wire mesh gauge sizes differ due to distinct measurement systems. In the UK we follow the Standard Wire Gauge (SWG) measurement system, while the USA uses the American Wire Gauge (AWG) measurement system. Gauge indicates wire diameter and, consequently, the strength and durability of the mesh. Our conversion table below will help you to cross-reference sizes between SWG and AWG. Please note that all references to gauges on our website are to Standard Wire Gauges (SWG) as used in the UK.

Wire Gauge (g)	UK Standard Wire Gauge (SWG) Wire Thickness	US American Wire Gauge (AWG) Wire Thickness - Not UK
10g	3mm	2.6mm
12g	2.5mm	2mm
14g	2mm	1.6mm
16g	1.6mm	1.3mm
19g	1mm	0.9mm
20g	0.9mm	0.8mm
22g	0.7mm	0.64mm
23g	0.6mm	0.57mm

Wire Gauge (SWG)	Wire Thickness	Popular Uses For Different Wire Gauges
10 gauge	3mm	Heavy duty mesh typically available in a 50mm x 50mm hole, ideal for security fencing, strong garden fencing, boundary fencing due to its strength and rigidity. This mesh is available on a roll, however the material is reasonably panel-like once flattened.
12 gauge	2.5mm	Very strong mesh, used for security applications and ideal for heavy duty dog fences if you have a very large and strong dog. Also suitable for livestock protection including sheep and goats, and also to keep out deer.
14 gauge	2mm	Most popular choice for dog fencing in a 50mm x 50mm hole, and is ideal for dog enclosures, and for securing garden boundaries. Also, this is the perfect choice for fox protection as it's strong enough to prevent foxes from chewing through or breaking the welds on the mesh, which makes this mesh ideal for fox proof poultry enclosures. 14g mesh is also an excellent all-rounder, and can also be used as garden fencing.
16 gauge	1.6mm	25mm x 25mm hole 16g mesh is the first choice product for cat fencing, perfect for catios and cat pens. 25mm x 25mm hole 16g is also ideal for squirrel protection, bird of prey aviaries, and rabbit-proof tree guards. In a 13mm x 13mm hole, 16g mesh is perfect for strong bird protection including use on louvres, fox and rat proof animal enclosures to keep your pets safe including pet rabbit runs and guinea pig runs, also suitable for pet rodent cages and parakeet aviaries. 16g mesh is also available in woven stainless steel, and is used for car radiator grills and filtration.
19 gauge	1mm	Rabbit netting has a 31mm hole and 19 gauge wire which is perfect for keeping rabbits out. 13mm hole 19g mesh is ideal for fruit cages, bird protection, and in a stainless steel finish it is the perfect aviary mesh for small birds such as budgies, finches, canaries.
20 gauge	0.9mm	Chicken wire netting is a light-weight and cost effective option for garden boundaries, poultry enclosures, roof thatching, and securing loft insulation.
22 gauge	0.7mm	6mm x 6mm hole welded mesh is ideal for mouse proofing, and we also offer an option with a slightly thicker wire which is the preferred choice for rat protection. 6mm x 6mm hole mesh can also be used to make wild bird feeders. 13mm hole chicken wire netting is a great choice for fruit cages, bird protection, and has also been used for sculpting.
Less than 22 gauge	<0.7mm	Stainless steel woven mesh is available in a wide range of hole sizes and wire thicknesses, including extremely fine meshes. Uses for woven mesh include material and chemical filtration, architectural applications, decorative purposes.

Owing to production methods, products on our website have the following tolerances for wire thickness:

Netting +/- 15%
Welded wire +/- 10%
Woven Wire +/- 5%

Many welded meshes can run out of square by 3–5%. This is common throughout the industry. If it is crucial that your mesh is completely square, please get in touch as we stock a large range of European-made meshes which are manufactured to more exacting standards.

Uses for different Wire Gauges in Chicken Wire and Wire Mesh

Common uses of mesh and netting:

Less than 22 gauge

Fine Stainless Woven Mesh: Material and Chemical Filtration.

22 gauge (0.7mm)

Chicken wire 13mm aperture:
Uses: Poultry Enclosures and Fruit Cages, Sculpting.

Fine welded or woven mesh:
Uses: Rodent Protection and Wild Bird Feeders.

20 gauge (0.9mm)

Chicken wire 25mm aperture:
Uses: Poultry Enclosures, Roof Thatching, Loft Insulation Mesh.

19 gauge (1mm)

Chicken wire 50 mm aperture:
Uses: Poultry Enclosures.

Rabbit netting 31 mm aperture:
Uses: Rabbit Protection.

Welded mesh 13mm – 25mm:
Uses: Small Bird Aviaries, Pet Rabbit Runs etc.

16 gauge (1.6mm)

Welded mesh 13mm – 25mm:
Uses: Small Bird Aviaries, Pet Rabbit Runs etc.

Welded mesh 13mm– 20 mm aperture:
Uses: Rodent Cages and Parakeet Aviaries.

Welded mesh 25mm aperture:
Uses: Cat Enclosures, Squirrel Protection.
Birds of Prey Aviaries. Tree guards.

Welded mesh 50mm aperture:
Uses: Garden Fencing.

Woven Stainless steel 6mm – 13mm:
Uses: Car Radiator Grills, Filtration.

14 gauge (2mm)

Welded mesh 25mm - 50mm aperture:
Uses: Garden Fencing, Dog Enclosures, Fox Protection, Sheep, Deer & Goat Fencing.

12 gauge (2.5mm)

Welded mesh 50 mm aperture:
Uses: Security Fencing, Garden Fencing, Large-dog Enclosures, Sheep, Deer & Goat Fencing.

10 gauge (3mm)

Welded mesh 50mm aperture:
Uses: Security Fencing, Strong Garden Fencing, Large-dog Enclosures.

Owing to production methods, products within our website have the following tolerances on wire thickness:

Netting +/- 15%

Welded wire +/- 10%

Woven Wire +/- 5%

Many welded meshes can run out of square by 3-5%. This is common throughout the industry. If it is crucial that mesh is completely square please call as we do stock some European made meshes, which are made to more exacting standards.