Determine the ideal AWG wire gauge for your speaker runs. Calculate signal loss and get recommendations.
| AWG | Diameter (mm) | Ω/1000ft | Max Length @ 8Ω (<5% loss) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 2.59 | 1.00 | 400 ft |
| 12 | 2.05 | 1.59 | 250 ft |
| 14 | 1.63 | 2.52 | 160 ft |
| 16 | 1.29 | 4.02 | 100 ft |
| 18 | 1.02 | 6.39 | 63 ft |
The goal is to keep wire resistance below 5% of speaker impedance to avoid audible power loss. For most home setups under 50 feet at 8 ohms, 16 AWG is sufficient. For longer runs or 4-ohm speakers, step up to 14 or 12 AWG. Thicker wire (lower AWG number) has less resistance per foot.