Cable Lengths Converter
Convert between feet, meters, inches, centimeters, and AWG wire gauges
Result will appear here
Quick Reference: Feet to Meters
10 ft = 3.05 m
25 ft = 7.62 m
50 ft = 15.24 m
100 ft = 30.48 m
150 ft = 45.72 m
200 ft = 60.96 m
300 ft = 91.44 m
500 ft = 152.4 m
Cable Lengths Converter – Professional Wire & Cable Conversion Tool
The Cable Lengths Converter is an essential tool for electricians, network technicians, AV installers, and DIY enthusiasts. Convert between different length units, find AWG wire diameters, and estimate voltage drop for your cable runs.
Key Features
- Length Conversion — Convert between feet, meters, inches, centimeters, and millimeters
- AWG to Diameter — Convert American Wire Gauge to mm and inches
- Voltage Drop Calculator — Estimate voltage loss based on cable length, gauge, and current
- Real-time Results — Instant conversion as you type
- Precision Control — Adjust decimal places from 0 to 6
- Cable Reference Guide — Common cable types and their specifications
- Unit Swap — Easily switch between input and output units
Common Conversion Reference
| Unit | Abbreviation | Conversion to Meters | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foot | ft | 0.3048 m | Building cable runs, networking |
| Meter | m | 1 m | International standard, audio cables |
| Inch | in | 0.0254 m | Equipment rack spacing, patch cables |
| Centimeter | cm | 0.01 m | Precise measurements, small cables |
| Millimeter | mm | 0.001 m | Wire diameter, fiber optics |
AWG (American Wire Gauge) Reference
| AWG | Diameter (mm) | Diameter (inches) | Common Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 AWG | 1.024 mm | 0.0403 in | Speaker wire, low voltage |
| 16 AWG | 1.291 mm | 0.0508 in | Extension cords, lighting |
| 14 AWG | 1.628 mm | 0.0641 in | Lighting circuits, receptacles |
| 12 AWG | 2.053 mm | 0.0808 in | General purpose circuits |
| 10 AWG | 2.588 mm | 0.1019 in | Appliances, air conditioners |
| 8 AWG | 3.264 mm | 0.1285 in | Sub-panels, ranges |
| 6 AWG | 4.115 mm | 0.1620 in | Main service, feeders |
| 4 AWG | 5.189 mm | 0.2043 in | Service entrance, large appliances |
| 2 AWG | 6.544 mm | 0.2576 in | Large feeders, industrial |
| 0 AWG (1/0) | 8.251 mm | 0.3249 in | Heavy industrial, battery cables |
Voltage Drop Guidelines
Recommended Maximum Voltage Drop:
- Branch circuits: 3% maximum drop
- Feeders: 3% maximum drop
- Combined (feeder + branch): 5% maximum drop
- 12V systems (auto/marine): 10% maximum drop recommended
Cable Length Guidelines by Application
🖧 Ethernet (CAT5e/CAT6)
Max length: 100m (328ft) per segment
Includes 90m solid core + 10m patch cables
🎧 HDMI
Standard: up to 15m (50ft)
Active/Fiber: up to 100m+
🔌 Speaker Wire
14 AWG: up to 80ft (24m)
12 AWG: up to 120ft (36m)
10 AWG: up to 200ft (60m)
Wire Gauge Selection Guide
Choose the correct wire gauge based on amperage and cable length:
| Amperage | Up to 50ft | 50-100ft | 100-150ft | 150-200ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10A | 18 AWG | 16 AWG | 14 AWG | 12 AWG |
| 15A | 16 AWG | 14 AWG | 12 AWG | 10 AWG |
| 20A | 14 AWG | 12 AWG | 10 AWG | 10 AWG |
| 30A | 10 AWG | 10 AWG | 8 AWG | 8 AWG |
| 40A | 8 AWG | 8 AWG | 6 AWG | 6 AWG |
| 50A | 6 AWG | 6 AWG | 4 AWG | 4 AWG |
Formula Reference
Key Conversion Formulas:
- Feet to Meters: m = ft × 0.3048
- Meters to Feet: ft = m × 3.28084
- Inches to cm: cm = in × 2.54
- AWG to Diameter (inches): d(in) = 0.005 × 92^((36 - AWG)/39)
- AWG to Diameter (mm): d(mm) = d(in) × 25.4
- Voltage Drop (single phase): Vd = 2 × L × I × R / 1000
Professional Tips
- Always add service loop: Add 10-15% extra length for connectors and future re-termination
- Consider temperature rating: Higher temperatures reduce current capacity
- Use correct insulation type: Plenum-rated for air spaces, riser-rated for vertical runs
- Account for fill capacity: Conduit should not exceed 40% fill for more than 2 cables
- Label your cables: Document lengths and termination points for future reference
Privacy & Security
All calculations are performed locally in your browser. Your cable length data never leaves your computer. No personal information is collected or transmitted.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Our converter supports feet (ft), meters (m), inches (in), centimeters (cm), millimeters (mm), and cable industry standards like AWG gauges with approximate diameter equivalents.
To convert feet to meters, multiply by 0.3048. For meters to feet, multiply by 3.28084. Our calculator does this automatically with high precision for accurate cable length planning.
AWG (American Wire Gauge) is a standard for wire diameter. Lower AWG numbers mean thicker wires (e.g., 12 AWG is thicker than 18 AWG). Our converter shows approximate diameter equivalents in mm and inches.
AWG to diameter conversions follow the standard formula: diameter (inches) = 0.005 * 92^((36-AWG)/39). Our calculator uses this exact formula for maximum accuracy.
Solid wire is a single conductor, while stranded wire consists of multiple small strands. For the same AWG, stranded wire has slightly larger overall diameter due to air gaps between strands.
Voltage drop depends on cable length, current, and wire gauge. Longer cables have higher resistance and more voltage drop. Our converter includes a basic voltage drop estimator for common scenarios.
CAT5e/CAT6 for networking (max 100m), speaker wire for audio (varies by gauge), coaxial for cable TV/satellite, and power cables (sized by amperage and length).
Yes! We support metric (mm, cm, m) and imperial (inches, feet) units, plus AWG gauge conversions for wire diameter.
