Sheet metal gauge chart and weight calculator in one reference page.

Gauge numbers are only meaningful when the material family is known. This page keeps the chart, conversion notes, and calculator together so estimators can check thickness and weight without leaving the route.

Need a fabrication quote? Use /quote/, call 647-407-0171, or email info@canadianmetalfab.com if that is faster.

Compare four material families without leaving the route.
Use the chart for gauge lookup and the calculator for takeoff math.
The page is written for estimating, drafting, and commercial review.
Reference first, quote handoff only when the part is real.

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Sheet metal samples laid out on a bench to compare material thickness and finish. — **Gauge matters only after the substrate is known.**
The page pairs reference lookup with quick weight math so the estimating question gets answered in one pass.

Why gauge differs by material

A gauge number is a reference point, not a universal thickness. The same gauge number can produce different decimal thicknesses and different per-square-foot weights when the base material changes. That is why the chart stays material-aware instead of collapsing everything into a single table.

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Which is thicker: 18 gauge steel or 18 gauge aluminum?

18 gauge steel is much thicker than 18 gauge aluminum. The chart below shows the difference clearly: steel measures 0.0478 in, while aluminum measures 0.0403 in, and the weight gap is even wider.

Steel 0.0478 in

1.952 lb/ft²

Galvanized Steel 0.0516 in

2.107 lb/ft²

Stainless Steel 0.0500 in

2.055 lb/ft²

Aluminum 0.0403 in

0.569 lb/ft²

Material-aware gauge chart

The table keeps the four reference materials side by side so you can compare thickness and weight without guessing at the substrate.

Values are based on the reference rows in src/data/resources/gauge-chart.ts.

Gauge	Steel	Galv. steel	Stainless	Aluminum
10	0.1345 in 3.416 mm 5.493 lb/ft²	0.1382 in 3.510 mm 5.644 lb/ft²	0.1406 in 3.571 mm 5.778 lb/ft²	0.1019 in 2.588 mm 1.438 lb/ft²
12	0.1046 in 2.657 mm 4.272 lb/ft²	0.1084 in 2.753 mm 4.427 lb/ft²	0.1094 in 2.779 mm 4.496 lb/ft²	0.0808 in 2.053 mm 1.140 lb/ft²
14	0.0747 in 1.897 mm 3.051 lb/ft²	0.0785 in 1.994 mm 3.206 lb/ft²	0.0781 in 1.984 mm 3.210 lb/ft²	0.0641 in 1.628 mm 0.904 lb/ft²
16	0.0598 in 1.519 mm 2.442 lb/ft²	0.0635 in 1.613 mm 2.593 lb/ft²	0.0625 in 1.588 mm 2.569 lb/ft²	0.0508 in 1.291 mm 0.717 lb/ft²
18	0.0478 in 1.214 mm 1.952 lb/ft²	0.0516 in 1.311 mm 2.107 lb/ft²	0.0500 in 1.270 mm 2.055 lb/ft²	0.0403 in 1.024 mm 0.569 lb/ft²
20	0.0359 in 0.911 mm 1.466 lb/ft²	0.0396 in 1.006 mm 1.617 lb/ft²	0.0375 in 0.953 mm 1.541 lb/ft²	0.0320 in 0.813 mm 0.451 lb/ft²
22	0.0299 in 0.759 mm 1.221 lb/ft²	0.0336 in 0.853 mm 1.372 lb/ft²	0.0312 in 0.794 mm 1.282 lb/ft²	0.0253 in 0.643 mm 0.357 lb/ft²
24	0.0239 in 0.607 mm 0.976 lb/ft²	0.0276 in 0.701 mm 1.127 lb/ft²	0.0250 in 0.635 mm 1.027 lb/ft²	0.0201 in 0.511 mm 0.284 lb/ft²
26	0.0179 in 0.455 mm 0.731 lb/ft²	0.0217 in 0.551 mm 0.886 lb/ft²	0.0188 in 0.477 mm 0.773 lb/ft²	0.0159 in 0.404 mm 0.224 lb/ft²
28	0.0149 in 0.378 mm 0.608 lb/ft²	0.0187 in 0.475 mm 0.764 lb/ft²	0.0156 in 0.396 mm 0.641 lb/ft²	0.0126 in 0.320 mm 0.178 lb/ft²
30	0.0120 in 0.305 mm 0.490 lb/ft²	0.0157 in 0.399 mm 0.641 lb/ft²	0.0125 in 0.318 mm 0.514 lb/ft²	0.0100 in 0.254 mm 0.141 lb/ft²

final quote weights depend on alloy, finish, and geometry. Use the chart for reference and the calculator for rough takeoff planning, then confirm the final numbers against the actual part.

Weight Calculator

Use gauge or decimal thickness to estimate a part weight without leaving the chart page. This is the fastest way to get a planning number before the project turns into a formal quote request.

Weight Calculator

Estimate sheet weight by gauge or decimal thickness before the part becomes a quote.

Use this for planning and takeoff checks. final quote weights depend on alloy, finish, and geometry.

Material Gauge

Length (in) Width (in) Quantity

Per piece 0.00 lb

Total 0.00 lb

Weight / sq ft 0.00 lb

Thickness 0.0000 in

Nearest gauge 18 gauge

Density 0.000000 lb/in^3

Conversion guidance

Quick reminders for drafting, estimating, and spec review.

Category	Why it matters	Reference
Length and width	The calculator uses the part footprint.	Weight = length × width × thickness × density.
Inches to millimeters	Useful when the drawing already uses metric dimensions.	1 in = 25.4 mm.
Square-foot weight	Best for quick comparing across gauges and material families.	1 sq ft = 144 sq in.
Gauge vs decimal thickness	Use gauge when the spec calls for a standard sheet reference.	Use decimal thickness when the project has a direct dimension callout.

1 inch = 25.4 mm. 1 square foot = 144 square inches. Weight per square foot is density times thickness times 144.

Gauge chart FAQ

These are the questions buyers usually ask before they ask for a quote.

Which is thicker: 18 gauge steel or 18 gauge aluminum?

18 gauge steel is thicker than 18 gauge aluminum. In this reference chart, steel is 0.0478 in and aluminum is 0.0403 in, so the steel sheet also weighs more per square foot.

How do I estimate sheet weight from length, width, and thickness?

Multiply length × width × thickness × density. The calculator does that for you, and it also translates the result into a per-piece and total weight estimate.

When should I specify gauge vs decimal thickness?

Use gauge when you want to match a standard sheet reference. Use decimal thickness when the drawing or spec already gives the exact material thickness.

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Low-pressure handoff

Have drawings and a target material ready?

Send the part size, material callout, and any thickness notes through the existing quote flow. It is the fastest way to move from a chart check to an actual fabrication discussion.