Breaker Wire Size Chart
What wire size for each breaker rating per NEC 2023. The wire ampacity must meet or exceed the breaker rating.
| Breaker | Copper | Aluminum | Voltage | Common uses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15A | 14 AWG | 12 AWG | 120V | Lighting, general-purpose outlets, bedroom circuits... | Details |
| 20A | 12 AWG | 10 AWG | 120V | Kitchen countertops, bathrooms, garages, outdoor outlets, la... | Details |
| 30A | 10 AWG | 8 AWG | 240V | Electric dryers, water heaters, small AC units... | Details |
| 40A | 8 AWG | 6 AWG | 240V | Electric cooktops, 32A EV chargers, large AC units... | Details |
| 50A | 6 AWG | 4 AWG | 240V | Electric ranges, RV hookups (NEMA 14-50), 40A EV chargers... | Details |
| 60A | 6 AWG | 4 AWG | 240V | Hot tubs, 48A EV chargers, 60A subpanels... | Details |
| 100A | 3 AWG | 1 AWG | 240V | 100A subpanels for garages, workshops, ADUs... | Details |
| 200A | 2/0 AWG | 4/0 AWG | 240V | 200A main service entrance, whole-house panel... | Details |
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Important: For reference only. Not a substitute for a licensed electrician. Electrical work can cause serious injury, death, fire, or property damage if performed incorrectly. Always hire a licensed electrician for electrical work, especially for service upgrades, panel work, and 240V circuits. Values are derived from NFPA 70 (NEC) for educational purposes. Always verify against your locally adopted NEC edition and amendments - local jurisdictions may enforce stricter requirements. WireRef provides reference information only and is not responsible for work performed based on this content. NEC® is a registered trademark of the National Fire Protection Association. Free NEC access via NFPA · OSHA Electrical Safety · Terms of use.
NEC 2023 references verified April 2026