What Gauge Wire for 10 Amps?
10 amp circuits are common for lighting, small appliances, and moderate DC loads. At 12V, 10 amps delivers 120 watts. Wire gauge depends heavily on distance - a 10ft run needs only 14 AWG while 50ft needs 10 AWG.
10ft Run
14 AWG
25ft Run
12 AWG
50ft Run
10 AWG
100ft Run
8 AWG
* Based on 12V DC with 3% voltage drop limit. AC circuits may use smaller wire.
Wire Gauge Calculator
Round trip: 50ft (distance x 2)
Recommended Wire Gauge
8 AWG
For 10A at 25ft (12V, 3% max drop)
Power
120W
Actual Voltage Drop
2.7%
(0.33V)
Alternative Gauges
Fuse Recommendation
Use a 15A fuse (125% of rated current, rounded to standard size)
* Always verify with local electrical codes. This calculator is for reference only.
Complete Wire Gauge Chart (12V DC, 3% Drop)
| Wire Gauge | Max Amps @ 10ft | Max Amps @ 25ft | Max Amps @ 50ft | Max Amps @ 100ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 AWG | 5A | 2A | 1A | 0.5A |
| 16 AWG | 8A | 3A | 2A | 1A |
| 14 AWG | 12A | 5A | 3A | 1A |
| 12 AWG | 20A | 8A | 4A | 2A |
| 10 AWG | 30A | 12A | 6A | 3A |
| 8 AWG | 50A | 20A | 10A | 5A |
| 6 AWG | 75A | 30A | 15A | 8A |
| 4 AWG | 120A | 48A | 24A | 12A |
| 2 AWG | 190A | 75A | 38A | 19A |
| 1/0 AWG | 300A | 120A | 60A | 30A |
| 2/0 AWG | 380A | 150A | 75A | 38A |
| 4/0 AWG | 600A | 240A | 120A | 60A |
* Round trip distance (double the one-way distance) is used in calculations.
Common Uses for 10A Circuits
- •LED lighting circuits (12V)
- •Small DC appliances
- •USB charging stations
- •Cigarette lighter outlets
- •Small bilge pumps
Wire Sizing Tips
- •For 12V systems, always size wire for voltage drop, not just ampacity
- •14 AWG is adequate for short runs under 10ft at 10A
- •In vehicles, use stranded wire for flexibility and vibration resistance
- •Marine environments require tinned copper wire to prevent corrosion
- •Add a 15A fuse at the battery or power source
Key Considerations
- ⚠Voltage drop is critical in 12V DC systems - more so than 120V AC
- ⚠Round trip distance matters - a 25ft run is actually 50ft of wire
- ⚠Stranded wire is better for mobile applications
Frequently Asked Questions
What gauge wire for 10 amps?
14 AWG handles 10 amps for short runs (under 10ft). For 25ft runs, use 12 AWG. For 50ft, use 10 AWG. Wire gauge for low-voltage DC is about voltage drop, not just ampacity.
Can I use 16 AWG for 10 amps?
16 AWG is only safe for 10 amps on very short runs (under 5ft) in 12V systems. For any practical distance, use at least 14 AWG, and 12 AWG for runs over 15ft.
What size fuse for 10 amp circuit?
Use a 15A fuse for a 10A circuit. This provides headroom for brief surges while still protecting the wire from overcurrent. Never exceed the wire's ampacity rating.