26 gauge steel thickness and weight
0.0179 in · 0.45 mm · 0.731 lb/ft²
26 gauge sheet steel (Manufacturers' Standard Gauge) is 0.0179 in, or 0.45 mm, thick. It weighs 0.731 lb per square foot (3.57 kg/m²).
Weight of common sheet sizes
| Sheet | lb | kg |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 ft | 23.4 | 10.6 |
| 4 × 10 ft | 29.2 | 13.3 |
| 5 × 10 ft | 36.6 | 16.6 |
| 1000 × 2000 mm | 15.7 | 7.1 |
| 1250 × 2500 mm | 24.6 | 11.2 |
| 1500 × 3000 mm | 35.4 | 16.1 |
26 gauge in other metals
| Material | Thickness (in) | Thickness (mm) | kg/m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet steel | 0.0179 | 0.45 | 3.57 |
| Galvanized steel | 0.0217 | 0.55 | 4.33 |
| Stainless steel | 0.019 | 0.48 | 3.83 |
| Aluminum | 0.017 | 0.43 | 1.17 |
Gauge numbers are tied to the material, so 26 gauge aluminum is not the same thickness as 26 gauge steel. When ordering, give the thickness in inches or millimetres.
Compared with nearby gauges
| Gauge | in | mm | lb/ft² | Thickness vs 26 ga |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 gauge | 0.0269 | 0.68 | 1.099 | +50 % |
| 24 gauge | 0.0239 | 0.61 | 0.976 | +34 % |
| 25 gauge | 0.0209 | 0.53 | 0.854 | +17 % |
| 26 gauge | 0.0179 | 0.45 | 0.731 | — |
| 27 gauge | 0.0164 | 0.42 | 0.670 | −8 % |
| 28 gauge | 0.0149 | 0.38 | 0.608 | −17 % |
| 29 gauge | 0.0135 | 0.34 | 0.551 | −25 % |
A lower gauge number means a thicker sheet. The steps between gauges are not equal, because the gauge system started as a measure of weight per square foot rather than of thickness.
Metric and fractional equivalents
Outside the US, sheet is ordered in millimetres. The nearest standard metric thickness to 26 gauge (0.45 mm) is 0.5 mm, which weighs 3.93 kg/m². If a drawing calls for 26 gauge and you buy metric sheet, check whether the small difference in thickness matters for bending, welding or fit.
Weight of strips
Weight per running foot of a 26 gauge strip, for sheared blanks and formed parts.
| Strip width | lb per foot of length |
|---|---|
| 6 in | 0.37 |
| 12 in | 0.73 |
| 24 in | 1.46 |
| 36 in | 2.19 |
| 48 in | 2.92 |
Where 26 gauge is used
Thin gauges like this are used for HVAC duct, roofing and wall cladding, flashing, and light formed parts. Thickness tolerances for cold-rolled and hot-rolled sheet are set by ASTM A568 and depend on width, so the measured thickness can be a few thousandths of an inch off the nominal gauge value.
Frequently asked questions
How thick is 26 gauge steel in mm?
26 gauge sheet steel is 0.45 mm (0.0179 in). The nearest standard metric sheet is 0.5 mm.
How much does a 4 × 8 sheet of 26 gauge steel weigh?
About 23.4 lb (10.6 kg): 0.731 lb/ft² × 32 ft².
Is 26 gauge thicker than 27 gauge?
Yes. A lower gauge number is thicker: 26 gauge is 0.0179 in, 27 gauge is 0.0164 in, and 25 gauge is 0.0209 in.
How thick is 26 gauge galvanized steel?
0.0217 in (0.55 mm), slightly more than plain 26 gauge because the gauge includes the zinc coating.
Is 26 gauge aluminum the same thickness as steel?
No. 26 gauge aluminum is 0.017 in (0.43 mm); aluminum uses a different gauge table.
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Data adapted from Wikipedia, "Sheet metal" (CC BY-SA 4.0).