6 AWG to mm²
6 AWG (16 mm²) is the bridge between branch wiring and battery cables. It feeds mid-size inverters (up to ~700 W at 12V), 60 A shore-power chargers, and serves as the main battery-to-busbar run in smaller builds. Physically it is the last size that still bends easily around interior corners — one reason many boat builders standardize on it for panel feeds even when 8 AWG would pass the math.
All values on this page assume copper conductors at 20°C ambient. Aluminum has ~60% higher resistance for the same cross-section and is generally not recommended for low-voltage DC.
Calculate for your specific cable run
The tables below assume 6 AWG (16 mm²) copper. Use the calculator to confirm this gauge is correct for your exact load and length, or get a different gauge recommendation if needed.
= 60W
= 16.4 ft (one way, round-trip calculated automatically)
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Download Cable for iOS6 AWG Voltage Drop at 12V DC
Round-trip voltage drop for 6 AWG (16 mm²) copper wire at 20°C ambient. Cells highlighted in yellow exceed the 3% target; red cells exceed 5% and are not recommended.
| Current | 1 m / 3 ft | 3 m / 10 ft | 5 m / 16 ft | 10 m / 33 ft | 15 m / 49 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 A | 0.034 V (0.28%) | 0.10 V (0.84%) | 0.17 V (1.40%) | 0.34 V (2.80%) | 0.50 V (4.20%) |
| 25 A | 0.056 V (0.47%) | 0.17 V (1.40%) | 0.28 V (2.33%) | 0.56 V (4.67%) | 0.84 V (7.00%) |
| 40 A | 0.090 V (0.75%) | 0.27 V (2.24%) | 0.45 V (3.73%) | 0.90 V (7.47%) | 1.34 V (11.20%) |
| 50 A | 0.11 V (0.93%) | 0.34 V (2.80%) | 0.56 V (4.67%) | 1.12 V (9.33%) | 1.68 V (14.00%) |
| 65 A | 0.15 V (1.21%) | 0.44 V (3.64%) | 0.73 V (6.07%) | 1.46 V (12.13%) | 2.18 V (18.20%) |
6 AWG Voltage Drop at 24V DC
Round-trip voltage drop for 6 AWG (16 mm²) copper wire at 20°C ambient. Cells highlighted in yellow exceed the 3% target; red cells exceed 5% and are not recommended.
| Current | 1 m / 3 ft | 3 m / 10 ft | 5 m / 16 ft | 10 m / 33 ft | 15 m / 49 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 A | 0.034 V (0.14%) | 0.10 V (0.42%) | 0.17 V (0.70%) | 0.34 V (1.40%) | 0.50 V (2.10%) |
| 25 A | 0.056 V (0.23%) | 0.17 V (0.70%) | 0.28 V (1.17%) | 0.56 V (2.33%) | 0.84 V (3.50%) |
| 40 A | 0.090 V (0.37%) | 0.27 V (1.12%) | 0.45 V (1.87%) | 0.90 V (3.73%) | 1.34 V (5.60%) |
| 50 A | 0.11 V (0.47%) | 0.34 V (1.40%) | 0.56 V (2.33%) | 1.12 V (4.67%) | 1.68 V (7.00%) |
| 65 A | 0.15 V (0.61%) | 0.44 V (1.82%) | 0.73 V (3.03%) | 1.46 V (6.07%) | 2.18 V (9.10%) |
What is 6 AWG (16 mm²) used for?
Camper / RV applications
- Inverter feeds up to 700 W at 12V (~60 A continuous)
- Battery to main busbar in small-to-mid builds
- High-power DC-DC chargers (60 A class)
- MPPT controllers 60 A to battery
- Chassis-to-house ground bonding straps
Boat / marine applications
- Shore-power charger output at 60 A
- Windlass feeds on boats under 30 ft (60 A class windlasses)
- House bank to main DC panel
- Engine start battery cables on small outboards
- Inverter feeds for 12V coffee makers and microwave-lite loads
Off-grid / solar applications
- Battery to inverter for 600–700 W continuous loads
- Charge bus wiring collecting solar + generator + alternator inputs
- Interconnects on 24V banks up to 65 A
- Main DC distribution feeds in cabins
When to step up
- Continuous current above 52 A — within 20% of ampacity
- Inverter feeds above 700 W at 12V (a 1000 W inverter needs 4 AWG)
- Windlass or thruster feeds with surge above 80 A
- Cable runs longer than 4 m at 12V with currents above 50 A
Fuse size for 6 AWG (16 mm²)
The fuse must protect the wire, not the load. For 6 AWG copper (16 mm²) the maximum fuse rating is 65 A. Below this ceiling, size the fuse at 125% of your continuous load current and round up to the next standard fuse size.
| Continuous Load | 125% Calculation | Recommended Fuse | Fuse Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 A | 12.5 A | 15 A | Blade (ATC) |
| 15 A | 18.75 A | 20 A | Blade (ATC) |
| 20 A | 25 A | 25 A | Blade (ATC) |
| 45 A | 56.25 A | 60 A | MAXI Blade |
| 60 A | 75 A | 70 A | ANL |
Related conversions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 6 AWG in mm²?
6 AWG is precisely 13.3 mm² by the IEC formula. The standard metric pairing is 16 mm² — the next stocked cable size up, which adds ~20% cross-section and safety margin. The VoltPlan calculator uses 16 mm² (65 A ampacity) for 6 AWG.
How many amps can 6 gauge wire handle at 12V?
6 AWG copper (16 mm²) is rated for 65 A continuous at 20°C in chassis wiring. Voltage — 12V or 24V — does not change the ampacity, only how much power those 65 A deliver: ~780 W at 12V, ~1560 W at 24V.
What size fuse for 6 AWG wire?
Maximum fuse is 65 A wire ampacity → use a 60 A fuse as the largest standard size below it, or an 70 A MIDI only if the full run is short and cool. Typical picks: 50 A for a 40 A charger circuit, 60 A for a 700 W inverter feed. Use MIDI or ANL fuses, not blades.
Is 6 AWG enough for a 1000W inverter at 12V?
It is marginal — a 1000 W inverter draws ~85 A continuous at 12V, above the 65 A rating of 6 AWG. Use 4 AWG (85 A). 6 AWG comfortably feeds inverters up to ~700 W at 12V, or a 1000–1500 W inverter on a 24V system.
Can I use 6 AWG for a windlass?
For small windlasses (600–700 W, boats under ~30 ft) with short cable runs, yes — fuse at 60 A and expect the breaker to see surge. Most windlass manufacturers specify heavier cable (4 AWG or 2 AWG) once the bow run exceeds 8 m round-trip, because voltage drop stalls the motor under load.