What breaker size for 12 AWG wire?

12 AWG copper at 75 °C terminations supports up to a 20 A overcurrent device, based on an estimated ampacity of 24 A. Aluminium of the same size supports less: about 19 A.

How many amps can 12 AWG handle?

Estimated 20 A at 60 °C, 24 A at 75 °C and 27 A at 90 °C for copper, at 30 °C ambient with no more than three current-carrying conductors.

How does a continuous load change the breaker size?

Continuous loads are sized at 125% of the load current before rounding up to the next standard device rating, so a breaker carries no more than 80% of its rating continuously.

Can the breaker be larger than the wire ampacity?

Only in specific permitted cases such as motor and transformer circuits, where the device protects against short circuit and ground fault while overload protection is provided separately. For ordinary branch circuits, the device must not exceed the conductor ampacity after derating.

12 AWG Breaker Size — Amps & Overcurrent Rating

12 AWG copper is estimated at 24 A at 75 °C, which supports a 20 A overcurrent device. Breaker pairing, continuous-load sizing and derating shown.

Quick answer

12 AWG copper pairs with a 20 A breaker at 75 °C terminations, from an estimated ampacity of 24 A. Aluminium of the same size is about 19 A. A continuous load on that circuit should not exceed 19 A, since continuous loads are sized at 125%.

Max breaker (Cu, 75 °C)

20A

Copper 60 / 75 / 90 °C

20 / 24 / 27A

Aluminium 75 °C

19A

Max continuous load

19A

Ampacity and breaker pairing

Estimated ampacity by material and insulation temperature rating, with the largest standard device each supports.

Material	60 °C	75 °C	90 °C	Max device @ 75 °C
Copper	20 A	24 A	27 A	20 A
Aluminium	16 A	19 A	21 A	15 A

Formula estimate

Derated ampacity and the device that still fits

Ambient temperature and conductor count reduce the usable ampacity before the breaker is chosen.

Conductors in raceway	30 °C ambient	40 °C ambient	50 °C ambient	60 °C ambient
3	27 A → 20 A	25 A → 20 A	22 A → 20 A	19 A → 15 A
6	22 A → 20 A	20 A → 20 A	18 A → 15 A	15 A → 15 A
9	19 A → 15 A	17 A → 15 A	15 A → 15 A	13 A → —
15	14 A → —	12 A → —	11 A → —	10 A → —
25	12 A → —	11 A → —	10 A → —	9 A → —

90 °C insulation, copper, capped in practice by the 75 °C termination rating.

Source & method: Continuous-load example: a 19 A continuous load needs 24 A of design current and a 25 A device. Size your own load.

Neighbouring sizes

Smaller14 AWG18 A copper at 75 °C Larger10 AWG32 A copper at 75 °C

Frequently asked

What breaker size for 12 AWG wire?: 12 AWG copper at 75 °C terminations supports up to a 20 A overcurrent device, based on an estimated ampacity of 24 A. Aluminium of the same size supports less: about 19 A.
How many amps can 12 AWG handle?: Estimated 20 A at 60 °C, 24 A at 75 °C and 27 A at 90 °C for copper, at 30 °C ambient with no more than three current-carrying conductors.
How does a continuous load change the breaker size?: Continuous loads are sized at 125% of the load current before rounding up to the next standard device rating, so a breaker carries no more than 80% of its rating continuously.
Can the breaker be larger than the wire ampacity?: Only in specific permitted cases such as motor and transformer circuits, where the device protects against short circuit and ground fault while overload protection is provided separately. For ordinary branch circuits, the device must not exceed the conductor ampacity after derating.