Metal Gauge
A metal gauge is a numbering system used to describe the thickness of sheet metal, plate, and sometimes wire. In most sheet metal gauge systems, a higher gauge number means a thinner material, and a lower gauge number means a thicker material. Gauge is commonly used for materials like carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and galvanized sheet to help quickly specify thickness for fabrication and forming.
Gauge numbers are not a single universal standard, so the same gauge can mean different actual thicknesses depending on the material type and the gauge system being used. For that reason, it is best to confirm the exact thickness in inches or millimeters using a gauge chart or product specification, especially when fit, strength, or bending requirements are important.
Gauge numbers are not a single universal standard, so the same gauge can mean different actual thicknesses depending on the material type and the gauge system being used. For that reason, it is best to confirm the exact thickness in inches or millimeters using a gauge chart or product specification, especially when fit, strength, or bending requirements are important.
