Wire size for 20 amps at 50 feet
The smallest wire that carries 20 amps safely, then checked so no more than 3% of the voltage is lost over 50 feet at 120 volts.
NM-B house cable (Romex)
10 AWG
12 AWG carries the amps; one size up keeps the drop to 2.02%
Copper wires in conduit (THHN)
10 AWG
12 AWG carries the amps; one size up keeps the drop to 2.02%
Aluminum (SER or XHHW)
8 AWG
10 AWG carries the amps; larger keeps the drop to 2.10%
Every size at 50 feet and 20 amps
| Size | Carries, NM-B (60°C) | Carries, conduit (75°C) | Drop, copper | Drop, aluminum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 AWG | 15 A | 15 A | 5.12% | - |
| 12 AWG | 20 A | 20 A | 3.22% | 5.30% |
| 10 AWG | 30 A | 30 A | 2.02% | 3.33% |
| 8 AWG | 40 A | 50 A | 1.27% | 2.10% |
| 6 AWG | 55 A | 65 A | 0.82% | 1.35% |
| 4 AWG | 70 A | 85 A | 0.51% | 0.85% |
| 3 AWG | 85 A | 100 A | 0.41% | 0.67% |
| 2 AWG | 95 A | 115 A | 0.32% | 0.53% |
| 1 AWG | 110 A | 130 A | 0.26% | 0.42% |
| 1/0 AWG | 125 A | 150 A | 0.20% | 0.34% |
| 2/0 AWG | 145 A | 175 A | 0.16% | 0.27% |
| 3/0 AWG | 165 A | 200 A | 0.13% | 0.21% |
| 4/0 AWG | 195 A | 230 A | 0.10% | 0.17% |
| 250 kcmil | 215 A | 255 A | 0.09% | 0.14% |
| 300 kcmil | 240 A | 285 A | 0.07% | 0.12% |
| 350 kcmil | 260 A | 310 A | 0.06% | 0.10% |
How the size is picked
- Amps first. The wire has to carry the breaker's amps: NEC Table 310.16, with NM-B house cable held to the 60°C column and wires in conduit to the 75°C column. Small wires are capped at 15 A for 14 AWG, 20 A for 12 AWG and 30 A for 10 AWG copper.
- Then distance. Long runs lose voltage. The size goes up until no more than 3% is lost, the figure the NEC recommends for a branch circuit, using the wire resistances in NEC Chapter 9, Table 8.
- Distance is one way. Measure from the panel to the load; the math counts the trip out and back.
Motors, EV chargers and anything that runs for three hours or more are sized at 125% of their load. Local codes can be stricter; your inspector has the last word.