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6061-T6 vs 6063-T5 Aluminum Extrusion: Which Alloy to Choose?
Aluminum Sheet Gauge Chart: Thickness, Weight and Use Cases
Aluminum sheet is sold by gauge in some markets and by millimeters in others. The conversion is not linear, and the same gauge number means different thickness for aluminum versus steel. This guide gives you the common gauge-to-mm chart, the weight per square meter, and the typical use for each thickness.
Common Thickness Chart
| Gauge | Thickness (mm) | Weight 6061 (kg/m²) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 ga | 0.25 | 0.68 | Foil, flashing |
| 20 ga | 0.81 | 2.19 | Panels, gutters |
| 16 ga | 1.51 | 4.08 | Roofing, siding |
| 1/8″ | 3.18 | 8.59 | General sheet |
| 1/4″ | 6.35 | 17.1 | Machining plate |
| 1/2″ | 12.7 | 34.3 | Tooling plate |
| 1″ | 25.4 | 68.6 | Thick tooling |
Gauge vs Millimeter: Why It Matters
Aluminum gauge follows the Aluminum Association standard, which differs from steel gauge. A 16-gauge aluminum sheet is 1.51 mm, while 16-gauge steel is 1.59 mm — close, but not identical. When quoting, always specify millimeters rather than gauge, because gauge numbers vary by standard (US Sheet, Brown & Sharpe, and others). If a supplier quotes “14 gauge aluminum,” ask for the actual mm before ordering, because the tolerance can be ±0.05 mm. See our 1060 aluminum plate and 5052 sheet.
Weight Estimation
Weight (kg/m²) = thickness (mm) × density (g/cm³). For 6061 (2.70 g/cm³), a 3 mm sheet weighs 8.1 kg/m². For 5052 (2.68), it is 8.04 kg/m². For 1060 pure aluminum (2.71), it is 8.13 kg/m². The differences are small, but for large orders over tonnes, they add up. Always confirm whether the price is per net weight or per piece, and whether the mill certificate measures actual thickness or nominal.
