26 gauge steel thickness
26 gauge steel is 0.0179 in (0.45 mm) thick, per the Manufacturers' Standard Gauge. The same gauge number means a different thickness in other metals: galvanized steel 0.0217 in.
Need it made?
Need 26 gauge steel parts cut, bent or welded? Post it free — local makers quote.
Got the machine? Sell your time on The Spool List. Join as a maker
| Material | Gauge standard | Thickness (in) | Thickness (mm) | kg/m² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel (this page) | Manufacturers' Standard Gauge | 0.0179 | 0.45 | 3.57 |
| Galvanized steel | galvanized sheet gauge | 0.0217 | 0.55 | 4.33 |
| Gauge | Thickness (in) | Thickness (mm) | kg/m² | lb/ft² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 ga | 0.0598 | 1.52 | 11.92 | 2.44 |
| 18 ga | 0.0478 | 1.21 | 9.53 | 1.95 |
| 20 ga | 0.0359 | 0.91 | 7.16 | 1.47 |
| 22 ga | 0.0299 | 0.76 | 5.96 | 1.22 |
| 24 ga | 0.0239 | 0.61 | 4.77 | 0.98 |
| 26 ga (this page) | 0.0179 | 0.45 | 3.57 | 0.73 |
| 28 ga | 0.0149 | 0.38 | 2.97 | 0.61 |
Practical notes
Gauge is a convention, not a unit: a higher gauge number is thinner, and steps are not even. 26 gauge is 0.0179 in for uncoated carbon steel (cold-rolled / hot-rolled sheet), but galvanized steel 0.0217 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 (carbon steel, 7.85 g/cm³): 0.45 mm × 7.85 = 3.57 kg/m². Multiply by the sheet area for blank weight; a 4 × 8 ft sheet is 2.973 m², so about 10.6 kg (23.4 lb).
Manufacturers' Standard Gauge is based on a steel weight of 41.82 lb/ft² per inch of thickness, which is why its decimal values look irregular.
FAQ
How thick is 26 gauge steel?
0.0179 in, which is 0.45 mm, per the Manufacturers' Standard Gauge.
How thick is 26 gauge in mm?
For steel, 26 gauge is 0.45 mm. In other metals: galvanized steel 0.55 mm.
How much does 26 gauge steel weigh?
About 3.57 kg per square metre (0.73 lb per square foot), using carbon steel, 7.85 g/cm³.
Is 26 gauge thicker than 24 gauge?
No. Higher gauge numbers are thinner: 24 ga steel is 0.0239 in, 26 ga is 0.0179 in.
Sources: Steel: Manufacturers' Standard Gauge · Densities: EN 10025 / ASTM A1008 (steel), ASTM A240 (stainless), Aluminum Association (5052) · 1 in = 25.4 mm (exact)
Find a maker
Post the job free — verified makers quote you.
Post a Metal fabrication job Open the Sheet Metal Gauge Chart calculator