State an exact thickness
Write “1.50 mm” or “0.0598 in” rather than only “16 gauge.” Add grade, finish, width, length, edge condition, quantity and any minimum-thickness requirement.
Technical Reference · Flat-Rolled Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel Gauge Chart
Convert common stainless sheet gauges to nominal thickness in inches and millimetres, then estimate sheet weight and prepare a quote-ready thickness specification.
Reference range7–30 gauge
UnitsGauge · inch · mm
Procurement ruleOrder by exact thickness and tolerance
Fast conversion
Gauge-to-thickness lookup
Choose a gauge to see its commonly referenced nominal thickness. Gauge values are convenient shorthand, but an RFQ should state the required thickness in inches or millimetres and the permitted tolerance.
Nominal reference thickness
Inches0.0598 in
Millimetres1.519 mm
Do not use the nominal gauge value as the sole acceptance criterion. Confirm the applicable product specification and thickness tolerance.
Need an exact sheet specification?
Send the gauge reference, required thickness, grade, finish and quantity for review.
Reference table
Stainless steel sheet gauge chart
| Gauge | Nominal inch | Nominal mm | Typical purchasing description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 0.1793 | 4.554 | Heavy sheet / light plate reference |
| 8 | 0.1644 | 4.176 | Heavy-gauge sheet |
| 9 | 0.1495 | 3.797 | Heavy fabrication sheet |
| 10 | 0.1345 | 3.416 | Structural covers and fabricated parts |
| 11 | 0.1196 | 3.038 | Nominal 3 mm class reference |
| 12 | 0.1046 | 2.657 | Equipment panels and formed parts |
| 13 | 0.0897 | 2.278 | Medium sheet fabrication |
| 14 | 0.0747 | 1.897 | Common enclosure and equipment sheet |
| 15 | 0.0673 | 1.709 | General formed sheet |
| 16 | 0.0598 | 1.519 | Common 1.5 mm class reference |
| 17 | 0.0538 | 1.367 | Light equipment panels |
| 18 | 0.0478 | 1.214 | Cabinets, trim and formed parts |
| 19 | 0.0418 | 1.062 | Light sheet applications |
| 20 | 0.0359 | 0.912 | Nominal 0.9 mm class reference |
| 21 | 0.0329 | 0.836 | Light covers and liners |
| 22 | 0.0299 | 0.759 | Common light sheet reference |
| 23 | 0.0269 | 0.683 | Thin formed sheet |
| 24 | 0.0239 | 0.607 | Thin covers and decorative work |
| 25 | 0.0209 | 0.531 | Light-gauge fabricated components |
| 26 | 0.0179 | 0.455 | Thin sheet and flashing |
| 27 | 0.0164 | 0.417 | Thin decorative and protective sheet |
| 28 | 0.0149 | 0.378 | Very light-gauge sheet |
| 29 | 0.0135 | 0.343 | Very thin sheet reference |
| 30 | 0.0120 | 0.305 | Foil-to-sheet boundary applications |
Basis and limitation: values are common U.S. standard-gauge reference values for sheet and plate iron and steel. Stainless purchasing requirements should identify the applicable material specification, exact ordered thickness and tolerance. See the current 15 U.S.C. §206 table; metric values shown here use the NIST exact conversion of 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
Specification hierarchy
Gauge is a reference, not the final specification
Two purchase orders using the same gauge word can still require different actual thicknesses, tolerances, finishes and inspection criteria.
Name the applicable specification
ASTM A240/A240M commonly covers chromium and chromium-nickel stainless plate, sheet and strip for general and pressure-vessel applications; ASTM A480/A480M contains general requirements for relevant flat-rolled stainless products. Confirm the edition and product-specific requirements in the order.
Agree how thickness will be verified
Define measurement location, instrument, sampling frequency and acceptance tolerance before production or shipment. Coatings, protective film and surface texture can affect how a casual measurement is interpreted.
Planning tool
Estimate sheet weight from actual thickness
Use this early estimate for handling and freight planning. Final mass depends on actual dimensions, alloy density and quantity.
Formula: thickness (m) × width (m) × length (m) × density (kg/m³). Published densities are nominal planning values; confirm the density used for the specified alloy.
Visual process context
Use separate images for the physical material and its verification context.
These image positions are reserved for the actual form, measuring method and condition that govern the supplied thickness.
Selection guide
Choose thickness by fabrication need
Decorative skins and liners
Thin sheet can reduce weight and cost, but handling marks, flatness, dent resistance and joining method become more important.
Typical reference: 22–30 gaugeCabinets and equipment panels
Balance stiffness, bend radius, weld distortion, fastener design and finished appearance.
Typical reference: 14–21 gaugeHeavy fabricated components
Confirm whether the product is ordered as sheet or plate, then specify flatness, cutting method and edge condition.
Typical reference: 7–13 gaugeProcurement checklist
Replace “gauge only” with a quote-ready specification
A complete request reduces clarification cycles and makes supplier quotations easier to compare.
Frequently asked questions
Stainless steel gauge FAQ
The common reference is approximately 1.519 mm, but commercial supply may be ordered as an exact metric thickness such as 1.5 mm. State the required thickness and tolerance rather than relying on the gauge label.
No. In the common sheet-gauge sequence, a higher gauge number represents a thinner nominal sheet.
No. Gauge-to-thickness relationships differ by material convention. Never transfer a steel gauge value directly to aluminium or nonferrous sheet.
Include grade, applicable specification, exact thickness, tolerance, width, length, finish, quantity, processing, certificates, packing and destination.
Method, sources and review
Traceable references for the chart and calculator
Gauge values and unit conversion
U.S. House, 15 U.S.C. §206 supplies the standard iron-and-steel gauge table. NIST defines one international inch as exactly 25.4 millimetres.
Stainless product requirements
ASTM A240/A240M covers relevant stainless plate, sheet and strip; ASTM A480/A480M provides general flat-rolled stainless requirements. The contract-specified edition controls.
Austenitic density references
Outokumpu Core range data gives 7.9 kg/dm³ for 304/304L. Alleima 316/316L data gives 8.0 g/cm³.
Ferritic density reference
worldstainless / ISSF technical guidance lists 7.7 g/cm³ for common ferritic families including 409/410 and 430 groups.
Review note: the page is an engineering planning aid, not a material certificate or contract specification. Confirm the applicable standard edition, ordered thickness, tolerance, alloy density and acceptance method with the buyer and supplier before release for production.
Gauge and thickness context
Read gauge, thickness and final acceptance together.
A gauge chart is a starting point. Confirm the applicable standard, actual thickness, tolerances and acceptance basis before releasing a purchase request.
- Specification basis
- Dimensional tolerance
- Final acceptance