20 gauge galvanized steel thickness
20 gauge galvanized steel is 0.0396 in (1.01 mm) thick, per the galvanized sheet gauge. The same gauge number means a different thickness in other metals: steel 0.0359 in, stainless steel 0.0375 in, aluminium 0.0320 in.
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| Material | Gauge standard | Thickness (in) | Thickness (mm) | kg/m² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel | Manufacturers' Standard Gauge | 0.0359 | 0.91 | 7.16 |
| Galvanized steel (this page) | galvanized sheet gauge | 0.0396 | 1.01 | 7.90 |
| Stainless steel | U.S. Standard Gauge (stainless sheet chart) | 0.0375 | 0.95 | 7.55 |
| Aluminium | Brown & Sharpe (AWG) gauge | 0.0320 | 0.81 | 2.18 |
| Gauge | Thickness (in) | Thickness (mm) | kg/m² | lb/ft² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 ga | 0.0785 | 1.99 | 15.65 | 3.21 |
| 16 ga | 0.0635 | 1.61 | 12.66 | 2.59 |
| 18 ga | 0.0516 | 1.31 | 10.29 | 2.11 |
| 20 ga (this page) | 0.0396 | 1.01 | 7.90 | 1.62 |
| 22 ga | 0.0336 | 0.85 | 6.70 | 1.37 |
| 24 ga | 0.0276 | 0.70 | 5.50 | 1.13 |
| 26 ga | 0.0217 | 0.55 | 4.33 | 0.89 |
Practical notes
Gauge is a convention, not a unit: a higher gauge number is thinner, and steps are not even. 20 gauge is 0.0396 in for hot-dip galvanized steel sheet (thickness includes the zinc coating), but steel 0.0359 in, stainless steel 0.0375 in and aluminium 0.0320 in. Put the decimal thickness on drawings and purchase orders to avoid mix-ups.
Mills supply sheet to a thickness tolerance (ASTM A568 / A480 / EN 10131), so a measured sheet can be a few thousandths of an inch off the nominal value. Measure with a micrometer before calculating bend allowances or press-fit clearances.
Weight per area here is thickness × density (steel, 7.85 g/cm³, applied to the coated thickness): 1.01 mm × 7.85 = 7.90 kg/m². Multiply by the sheet area for blank weight; a 4 × 8 ft sheet is 2.973 m², so about 23.5 kg (51.8 lb).
Galvanized gauge thickness includes the zinc layer, which is why 20 ga galvanized (0.0396 in) is thicker than uncoated 20 ga steel (0.0359 in).
FAQ
How thick is 20 gauge galvanized steel?
0.0396 in, which is 1.01 mm, per the galvanized sheet gauge.
How thick is 20 gauge in mm?
For galvanized steel, 20 gauge is 1.01 mm. In other metals: steel 0.91 mm, stainless steel 0.95 mm, aluminium 0.81 mm.
How much does 20 gauge galvanized steel weigh?
About 7.90 kg per square metre (1.62 lb per square foot), using steel, 7.85 g/cm³, applied to the coated thickness.
Is 20 gauge thicker than 18 gauge?
No. Higher gauge numbers are thinner: 18 ga galvanized steel is 0.0516 in, 20 ga is 0.0396 in.
Sources: Galvanized steel: galvanized sheet gauge · Densities: EN 10025 / ASTM A1008 (steel), ASTM A240 (stainless), Aluminum Association (5052) · 1 in = 25.4 mm (exact)
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