16 mm² to AWG
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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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 16 mm² in AWG?
16 mm² sits between 6 AWG (13.3 mm²) and 5 AWG (16.8 mm²). International cable tables pair 16 mm² with 6 AWG — when substituting, the metric cable is the heavier of the two, so the swap is safe in the metric direction.
How many amps can 16 mm² cable handle?
16 mm² copper cable is rated for 65 A continuous at 20°C in chassis wiring — the same rating as 6 AWG. In engine compartments or bundled looms, derate by 10–20%.
What size fuse for 16 mm² cable?
Cap at the 65 A ampacity: a 60 A MIDI or ANL fuse is the standard pick. Size at 125% of continuous load below that — a 45 A charger takes a 60 A fuse; a 30 A circuit takes a 40 A fuse.
What is 16 mm² cable used for?
Battery-to-busbar runs in small builds, 60 A charger outputs, windlass feeds on smaller boats, and inverter feeds up to ~700 W at 12V. It is the largest size that still routes easily through interior panels without fighting the bend radius.