7 gauge steel thickness and weight
0.1793 in · 4.55 mm · 7.322 lb/ft²
7 gauge sheet steel (Manufacturers' Standard Gauge) is 0.1793 in, or 4.55 mm, thick. It weighs 7.322 lb per square foot (35.75 kg/m²).
Weight of common sheet sizes
| Sheet | lb | kg |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 8 ft | 234.3 | 106.3 |
| 4 × 10 ft | 292.9 | 132.9 |
| 5 × 10 ft | 366.1 | 166.1 |
| 1000 × 2000 mm | 157.6 | 71.5 |
| 1250 × 2500 mm | 246.3 | 111.7 |
| 1500 × 3000 mm | 354.7 | 160.9 |
7 gauge in other metals
| Material | Thickness (in) | Thickness (mm) | kg/m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet steel | 0.1793 | 4.55 | 35.75 |
| Stainless steel | 0.1875 | 4.76 | 37.77 |
| Aluminum | 0.1443 | 3.67 | 9.90 |
Gauge numbers are tied to the material, so 7 gauge aluminum is not the same thickness as 7 gauge steel. When ordering, give the thickness in inches or millimetres.
Compared with nearby gauges
| Gauge | in | mm | lb/ft² | Thickness vs 7 ga |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 gauge | 0.2242 | 5.69 | 9.156 | +25 % |
| 5 gauge | 0.2092 | 5.31 | 8.543 | +17 % |
| 6 gauge | 0.1943 | 4.94 | 7.935 | +8 % |
| 7 gauge | 0.1793 | 4.55 | 7.322 | — |
| 8 gauge | 0.1644 | 4.18 | 6.714 | −8 % |
| 9 gauge | 0.1495 | 3.80 | 6.105 | −17 % |
| 10 gauge | 0.1345 | 3.42 | 5.493 | −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 7 gauge (4.55 mm) is 5 mm, which weighs 39.25 kg/m². The nearest fraction of an inch is 3/16 in (0.1875 in). If a drawing calls for 7 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 7 gauge strip, for sheared blanks and formed parts.
| Strip width | lb per foot of length |
|---|---|
| 6 in | 3.66 |
| 12 in | 7.32 |
| 24 in | 14.64 |
| 36 in | 21.97 |
| 48 in | 29.29 |
Where 7 gauge is used
Gauges this heavy are used for truck beds, trailer floors, brackets, machine bases, tanks and heavy guards. 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 7 gauge steel in mm?
7 gauge sheet steel is 4.55 mm (0.1793 in). The nearest standard metric sheet is 5 mm.
How much does a 4 × 8 sheet of 7 gauge steel weigh?
About 234.3 lb (106.3 kg): 7.322 lb/ft² × 32 ft².
Is 7 gauge thicker than 8 gauge?
Yes. A lower gauge number is thicker: 7 gauge is 0.1793 in, 8 gauge is 0.1644 in, and 6 gauge is 0.1943 in.
Is 7 gauge the same as 3/16 inch?
Close: 7 gauge is 0.1793 in and 3/16 in is 0.1875 in. Material ordered as 3/16 in is made to that fractional thickness, so it is about 5 % thicker than 7 gauge.
Is 7 gauge aluminum the same thickness as steel?
No. 7 gauge aluminum is 0.1443 in (3.67 mm); aluminum uses a different gauge table.
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Data adapted from Wikipedia, "Sheet metal" (CC BY-SA 4.0).